m steering question

put new bushings in the bolster top and bottom, followed the directions that I got on here, I just did the 350 a few months ago also, on the m I also put in a new worm gear bearing along with all the seals and a new thrust bearing, put it all back together and when i tighten the steering sector gear(half moon gear) the tractor will not turn one way usually left,(tractor has power steering and the pump will not turn the wheels then)i loosen the cassel nut up a bit and it is fine however I am wondering what I did wrong I pulled the new bushing flush wirh the hole it fits into, top bushing went in okay,sure I got the thrust bearing in the right way, I was told to pull the bottom bushing up higher how would that help as the bolster shaft would just rub on the tractor casting then? I am only about a half of a cotter pin off when it I tighten the gear down as tight as I can get it, if I back off one notch in the nut I am okay then, could the splines on the gear be worn, there was a suggestion to take a few thousands off the bottom of the gear, would a new gear help? thanks.

Well I'm not much help for your problem but where on the site did you find bolster rebuild instructions. I've searched the post but didn't find anything. I've gone thru my Super M starting at the back and moving nearer the front. Thanks.

Same answer. Lower bushing has to be driven up inside the bolster. You need a tool same diameter as bushing. Flush does not work.

If nothing is pushing the vertical shaft up, check by hand turning worm gear with PS disconnected from worm shaft. Should turn free by hand, if not. With sector gear loose have someone hold up on vertical shaft to see if it still catches. If so check for bolts and stop bolt heads hitting casting with narrow front or bolt heads for wide front. Vertical shaft has a step before lower flange that's a bigger diameter than bushing OD surface on shaft. It can contact bushing before thrust bearing stops upward motion if bushing not in enough. Don't think this is your problem but the worm shaft can contact bushing if drove in a good bit to far. Hold shell of thrust bearing in hand the part that turns without moving shell goes down. After saying all that have run into a very few that with everything in correct that would have no endplay. Most times this happens after the sector gear was run loose on splines. Removed a little off sector gear lower flange on those to get end play. Gear needs put on splines tight no matter where it ends up. Warning you need to be sure nothing is wrong at bottom of shaft before taking some off the sector gear. Can get end play and turn okay by doing that without up thrust on vertical shaft but when it gets up thrust still bind in a lower end problem. Can't tell if new parts would help unless looking at splines and everything else.

the information was on here with pictures it was about a h rebuild, I wish I would of paid more attention to the old bushings position as I cut it with a sawzall and slid it out going to have to try and find something of similar diameter to pull it up higher I had a nice set up that I used to put spindle bushings in with a long threaded rod with some real heavy washers I collected over the years, so if it isn't high enough and wont move very easy it got real tight the last quarter on an inch, so why cant you do the same thing by cutting a very small amount off the bottom? I am sure as tight as it went in it isn't going to budge another little bit without ruining the bushing thanks for replies. and the tractor does have a wide front end on I think part of the problem is there is no weight on the bolster as compared to a narrow front end. will disconnect the power steering and try that idea out.

Had a similar problem with a Super H. Turned out the bolt heads that attach the lower bolster to the pivot shaft flange were rubbing against the bottom of the steering casting. Also the castle nut was pushed against and wearing into the underside of the sector gearbox cover.

Don't know if a wrong (too thin) thrust bearing was used, or if a missing spacer was the cause.

Anyway I had a machinist friend make a 1/4" thick spacer ring to sit on top of the thrust bearing then put it all back together.

The tractor now steers nice and easy.

dgoodman This may be what you are looking for. It does not include a lot of specs for allowable clearances, but better than nothing.

Weird the link didn't post the first time.
H bolster rebuild

Yes. Great. Thank you.

I did put the bolts in with the heads on the underside that could be problem also will check some more tomorrow