Tightening up wobbly front wheels on SMTA

RBTXS

Member
I had to drive my SMTA on the highway the other day and it tried to wobble all over the road. It's a wide front. I've seen discussions about this before,but could not find much on it. What does this tractor need to be fixed? Does the worm gear need to be tightened? Do the tie rods need replacing? What's first, second,etc? Any help would be appreciated.
 
(quoted from post at 12:15:05 09/07/17) I had to drive my SMTA on the highway the other day and it tried to wobble all over the road. It's a wide front. I've seen discussions about this before,but could not find much on it. What does this tractor need to be fixed? Does the worm gear need to be tightened? Do the tie rods need replacing? What's first, second,etc? Any help would be appreciated.

Spindle bushings and possibly thrust bearings will make it like new again. Worn out tierod ends would cause play in the steering, but wouldn't cause that wobble.
 
(quoted from post at 05:33:42 09/08/17)
(quoted from post at 12:15:05 09/07/17) I had to drive my SMTA on the highway the other day and it tried to wobble all over the road. It's a wide front. I've seen discussions about this before,but could not find much on it. What does this tractor need to be fixed? Does the worm gear need to be tightened? Do the tie rods need replacing? What's first, second,etc? Any help would be appreciated.

Spindle bushings and possibly thrust bearings will make it like new again. Worn out tierod ends would cause play in the steering, but wouldn't cause that wobble.

You know on my 200 I noticed my wheels wobble at road speeds. The play is all in my steering wheel. I can turn the steering wheel an inch before it engages the shaft. What's in there. I was thinking of just tacking the nut to the steering wheel
 
Another thing is to check you're toe in adjustment. Only need a little but it sure helps on a wide front. Have also seen distorted tires and bent rims cause some stupid stuff like that. Then follow what the other guys are telling ya.
 
(quoted from post at 10:50:38 09/08/17)
(quoted from post at 05:33:42 09/08/17)
(quoted from post at 12:15:05 09/07/17) I had to drive my SMTA on the highway the other day and it tried to wobble all over the road. It's a wide front. I've seen discussions about this before,but could not find much on it. What does this tractor need to be fixed? Does the worm gear need to be tightened? Do the tie rods need replacing? What's first, second,etc? Any help would be appreciated.

Spindle bushings and possibly thrust bearings will make it like new again. Worn out tierod ends would cause play in the steering, but wouldn't cause that wobble.

You know on my 200 I noticed my wheels wobble at road speeds. The play is all in my steering wheel. I can turn the steering wheel an inch before it engages the shaft. What's in there. I was thinking of just tacking the nut to the steering wheel

Worn out U-Joints in the steering shaft.
 
(quoted from post at 16:03:46 09/08/17)
(quoted from post at 10:50:38 09/08/17)
(quoted from post at 05:33:42 09/08/17)
(quoted from post at 12:15:05 09/07/17) I had to drive my SMTA on the highway the other day and it tried to wobble all over the road. It's a wide front. I've seen discussions about this before,but could not find much on it. What does this tractor need to be fixed? Does the worm gear need to be tightened? Do the tie rods need replacing? What's first, second,etc? Any help would be appreciated.

Spindle bushings and possibly thrust bearings will make it like new again. Worn out tierod ends would cause play in the steering, but wouldn't cause that wobble.

You know on my 200 I noticed my wheels wobble at road speeds. The play is all in my steering wheel. I can turn the steering wheel an inch before it engages the shaft. What's in there. I was thinking of just tacking the nut to the steering wheel

Worn out U-Joints in the steering shaft.

No I can literally hold the shaft stationary and turn the steering wheel on the shaft. The nut holding the wheel on does mot turn. just the steering wheel turns
 
How to fix the problem , Well like said ya start by seeing what all is LOOSE , Lets start at the wheel bearings , then on to your spindle bushings , then tie rod ends the keys in the spindles the on up into the steering box as i am sure that due to extensive FIELD TESTING and bouncing across rough ground for how many years has taken it's toll on the worm and sector , then on to the u/joints then the bushing and how much ware is on the shaft in the bushings and the bearing in the end of the steering shaft along with the bushing in the ft. bolster . So it is like this you have and OLD Work horse that has been well worked so my best guess is EVERYTHING needs work and you may be able to take out 50-75% of the ware with rebuilding what ya can . Keeping tire pressure up around 45 PSI on a 6 ply ft. and TOE IN NEED TOE IN about a 1/8th to 1/4 inch .
 
(quoted from post at 06:07:47 09/09/17)
(quoted from post at 18:19:29 09/08/17) There is a woodruff key in there, yours must be sheared?

Exactly.

So I took the wheel off and the key was present but the hole it sits in was wallowed out a bit. I carefully welded the key and ground it smooth the take up as much slack as I could. Replaced the wheel and it was still a little loose. Added a washer under the nut to get it snagged down more and there is almost no movement in the steering wheel. Drove it to the wood lot and my wobble has been cut down as now I can hold the shaft from wobbling. With the wheel. It's still loose but more manageable. Sorry for the hijack, but somewhat relevant.
 

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