Steering wheel

J Strickland · Nov 3, 2012

I am winding down for the start of winter, just a few small items to tie down. One of them is the Steering wheel, how do I keep from getting black hands when I use the steering wheel? Also I need to tighten up the slop in the steering if possible. It is on a 1941 Farmall A. The steering wheel black is all there it just leaves a black stain on your hands. The slop is about a third of a turn. Is there a adjustment somewhere to tighten it up?

Thanks,
James

uncle henry · Nov 3, 2012

i wear gloves got a new steering wheel on one still have the same thing

Janicholson · Nov 3, 2012

Clean it with a lacquer Thinner rag (Damp, not soaked)sand it with 150 grit paper to give it tooth. Paint it with black automotive touchup paint.
The black is the original compounds rubbing off from oxidation.
The slop is in one of the following:
Bearing at the end of the worm (in and out Play)
Bushings on sector shaft (up and down play)
Bushings on Sector shaft (sideways)
Key on sector shaft loose in sector
Fit of steering arm on sector shaft (could be tapered square, or tapered woodruff key style
Loose tie rod ends (might be adjustable)
Loose spindle bearings
Jim

steve706 · Nov 3, 2012

The best thing I have found for old steering wheels and rubber is De-ice boot cleaner and sealant by BF Goodrich. The stuff is used to clean up wing de-ice boots on the leading edge of aircraft wings and works better than anything I have ever tried. It get's into the structure of the steering wheel and seals it up and does not leave a slippery finish. The stuff is great and works on any rubber you have on your tractor. A pint bottle has lasted me more than 5 years and it's not even half empty.

BOB HAWBECKER · Nov 3, 2012

i use this one i think its off a 100 or 140 much nicer wheel and a little larger than the stock metal spoke wheel.
also no dirty hands

gene bender · Nov 4, 2012

Just get a spray bomb of gloss black paint and give it a couple of coats. Sart at the tie rods and work backwards to the drag link if theres end play in the steering sgaft remove the big nut abd replace the bearing. Then if ther is still lots of play you need to remove the whole assy and go thru that there are bushings some seals and a bearing also there is a key in the geag when you are done it will be like new again ive done several.

gene bender · Nov 4, 2012

give it a coat of paint

jbp · Nov 4, 2012

As for keeping the black off your hands, spray truck bed liner works very well. It gives a slightly rough texture to the surface but not enough to be hard on the hands. Its also tough as nails and will last nearly forever. Its also cheap and easy to apply. Joe

Dave Sherburne NY · Nov 4, 2012

This was just discussed 2 weeks ago. Since you have a 1941. It probably has the old style steering arm and shaft where the steering arm clamps to the shaft. Do like Gene said and when you get to the steering arm you'll probably find it real loose on the vertical shaft. It can be shimmed with a piece of soup can for a temporary fix. When you get the time and money replace bearings, shims and key. IH used to have a kit to change the old style straight vertical shaft to the newer one that is tapered on the bottom NLA but all the parts are still available to make the change over. When I did mine it was about $150 for steering arm and the vertical shaft but when I finished it was tight and still is.
sloppy steering

Steering wheel

J Strickland

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uncle henry

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Janicholson

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steve706

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BOB HAWBECKER

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gene bender

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gene bender

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jbp

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Dave Sherburne NY

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