Farmall M front End Wobble

Meangreen · Dec 1, 2016

I have done some research on here and I want to fix the front end wobble on my M. I have lowered the pressure in one tire to give a temp fix, but now that it is winter it's time to tear things apart.

Based on what I have read the main culprit is the bearing on the vertical shaft in the front of the tractor. Is this correct?
I noticed in my parts book there is a bushing and bearing in there, could one or both be the reason for the wobble?

Thank you

DeltaRed · Dec 1, 2016

That,and the worm and sector get worn and loose. Check into those when you get it apart.

rustyfarmall · Dec 1, 2016

(quoted from post at 11:49:03 12/01/16) I have done some research on here and I want to fix the front end wobble on my M. I have lowered the pressure in one tire to give a temp fix, but now that it is winter it's time to tear things apart.

Based on what I have read the main culprit is the bearing on the vertical shaft in the front of the tractor. Is this correct?
I noticed in my parts book there is a bushing and bearing in there, could one or both be the reason for the wobble?

Thank you

The portion of the shaft where the bushing rides may also be worn considerably. Find a machine shop that will build it back up and then turn it down to the proper size.

glennster · Dec 1, 2016

when i rebuilt my 48 m, it was pretty well worn. there is an upper and lower bushing in the bolster on the main verticle shaft, a large bearing on the bottom and a grease seal on the upper portion of the bolster, it goes in from the bottom up. there is also a bearing on the very end of the worm gear under the big pipe plug cap. and also a bushing and grease seal where the worm gear exits the bolster heading toward the steering wheel end. he large bushing on the lower bolster is the toughest to replace as it is a press in and there is a grease hole you need to line up. if you miss it, remove the zerk and re-drill the hole. i think this site also sells the worm and sector gears too. also the lower bearing in the main shaft has a small chamfer on it. if i remember correctly, the chamfer goes down. if im wrong, somebody correct me. its been a while since i was in one.

robgIN · Dec 1, 2016

that's the way the shaft was in our Super M , had a big deep groove worn in it , must have carried around a set of front mount cultivators or picker . Built it up turned it on buddies lathe then turned it 90 degrees from where it had been when reinstalled so it would not wear the same spots again. You can fly down the road now with zero wobble.

FBH44 · Dec 2, 2016

I believe you will not know until you tear into it. I found the worn worm gear on my H by opening everything up, then having the wife sit in the driver's seat and turn steering wheel gently back and forth with one finger. I could see where the excess movement and wear was. In my case, there was no seal in the bottom of the steering chamber, and I had to pull in new seals, lube it up, and replace the worm gear assembly. Every so often now I still have to get in there and tighten up the top nut.

David G · Dec 2, 2016

My H had that also, I ended up replacing all the shafts and bushings to completely get rid of it.

All the parts are available.

BruceS · Dec 2, 2016

front wheel bearings might be a contributing factor.

Farmall M front End Wobble

Meangreen

Member

DeltaRed

Well-known Member

rustyfarmall

Well-known Member

glennster

Well-known Member

robgIN

Member

FBH44

Well-known Member

David G

Well-known Member

BruceS

Member

Similar threads