International A 1946 Loose Steering

Bookman

Member
I have a 1946 International A (footfeed, cast front axle, brace) with loose steering. It probably spend a good part of its life mowing roads and probably traveled a lot of miles. I took the tie rods off and the loose steering appears to be in the steering arm. It moves back and forth about a half inch, which translates into a lot of front wheel wobble. Any suggestions on how to fix it?

I have done some searching on this site. There is mention of a large shim washer between the large acorn nut on the front of the steering box. That probably is not a big challenge, unless the large shim washer is something unusual. Then there is mention of a woodruff key on the shaft holding the steering arm. Not sure how I get to that?

Also while I have the tie rods off (and they were a bear to get off) I thought I would check the size of the steering knuckles. Anyone know the dimensions of the balls? I have manuals but I am not finding the sizes. I do have new tie rod ball seats but not sure I need them for this tractor. I have a 1941 Farmall A, a 1951 Farmall Super C, and a 1952 Farmall Super C. All have a similar tie rod arrangement but none nearly has loose as the 1946 International A.

Thanks in advance
 
You said the styeering arm is loose bnut is it loose on the shaft or does the shaft and arm move together. I would start bu tightening the loose arm mite want to take old bolt off if edges are worn from bad wrenches. Replace with a new gr8 you need good wrench to do that job. You can use a dial calipers and disc sander to make the ball ends round again easy to do. If there isnt any end play in steering shaft that bearing is fine. Do the ball ends and tighten the output arm then see how you end up with play. If you arent satisfied then teardown ofd the sector is next the new parts can be had for around 55.
 
Gene, Good question. I put my finger in there on the base of the shaft, and I think it moved as I moved the steering gear arm. However, there is not much movement in it. A half inch movement at the end of the steering arm does not translate into much movement of the shaft, so I am not 100% sure of how much movement. Is there a way to get the steering arm bolt out without taking off the front axle?
 
I have always had trouble with the Farmall A steering linkage balls getting out of round. Then if you adjust the linkage so it is tight going forward, when you turn they bind up. I just tried a new approach
to this problem on my recently restored Super A. I bought some wavey washers (or maybe they are called spring washers) and put one of them behind the insert. Then it is tight going straight ahead and when
you turn, the spring washer compresses and it doesn't bind up. Works real well as my steering is nice and tight now.
 
The tie-rod balls were worn on my SA in spite of having been built up with weld and then ground fairly round at least twice. I cut them off and had 1" dia. ball bearings welded on in their place. The bearings look to be a perfect fit in the seats. The bearings have worked out well.
 
using a calipers you use a disc grinder and make them round again dont have to be perfect but you cvan get them close enough to remove play and still be able to turn lock to lock without them binding. Ive did several that way works well.
 
Its been a while since ive worked on one but it does take some good wrenches to tighten that bolt and it does need to be tight alittle play on that shaft makes a bunch at the end of the link. If that shaft moves up and down that means the upper earing is shot. i have went completely thru them and repaced everything worn. Usually have the whole sector off the tractor even have replaced the bushings in the pivot assy even once made a new pin. That pin is undercut in a couple places to allow it to swivel but is full sized at the ends so you can tighten.
 
Gene, If I need to take the front axle off, I think I will wait until next winter. My guess is that the Woodruff key may be worn. In the meantime, I since I have the tie rods off and the steering knuckle arms, I thought I would check the dimensions of the balls and, if need be, take them to a machine shop to have them built up. Any idea of the original dimensions of the balls.

Thanks

Larry
 
Our A has the square "output" shaft out of the gearbox.
We took the piece which holds the tie rods off of the
gearbox & used a hacksaw to cut 1/8 inch off each side
where the clamp bolt tightens.

Cleaned everything & put it back together.
As Gene says---tighten the clamp bolt TIGHT.

Takes a lot of slop out of the steering.
Jim
 

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