Help with TO35 Steering Problem

Bob Mc · Mar 20, 2015

I was pulling some small trees out and everything was working fine. I made a right turn and when I tried to straighten out by turning the steering wheel to the left the steering wheel turned real easy and the steering shaft started to screw itself out of the steering housing. If you turn the wheel to the right it will try to turn the wheels right, but if you try to turn the wheels to the left the shaft unscrews and the wheels don't move. Both of the pitman arms move correctly to the right, but don't move at all to the left.

I've never had the steering box apart, but looking at the shop manual I don't see any retaining nut or bolt to keep the steering shaft from unscrewing. Has anyone had this problem before or have an idea as to what may have happened? Thanks for any help.

Bob Mc

miner09 · Mar 20, 2015

May have stripped teeth on gear. Have you tried to adjust gearbox ? You can take side plate off and maybe see if it's stripped.

Steve@Advance · Mar 20, 2015

Don't have my shop manual here, but thinking there
is a bearing top and bottom. The top bearing held
down where the shaft tube bolts to the lower
housing? Sounds like the top bearing failed.
Whatever it is, the steering gear is going to have
to come apart, see what's happened...

Bob Mc · Mar 21, 2015

Thanks Steve, I got a chance to study the exploded and cut away views of the steering box today. At first I didn't see how the bearing retained the steering shaft, but after looking at the cut away view I see how the bearings are installed. I think you are right about the upper bearing failing. I'll get a chance tomorrow to start taking it apart to see exactly what all is bad inside the box. I appreciate all the help you guys give on this forum. Thanks.

Bob Mc

Steve@Advance · Mar 21, 2015

Try best you can not to let the worm shaft screw
too far out of the gear! (If it's not already too
late)

The balls will fall out, very difficult to get
them all back in!

Ask me how I know this! LOL

Bob Mc · Mar 22, 2015

I'm hoping that hasn't happened!! I'm getting ready to go down to the shop now and start taking it apart. I'll post back when I get it apart and know what all needs to be replaced.

Bob Mc

Bob Mc · Mar 24, 2015

Well I got it all apart, the upper bearing had completely disintegrated and the cage was half way up the steering shaft housing. The lower bearing was partially disintegrated. None of the balls came out of the ball nut assembly, so that was a blessing. The inner race for the upper bearing is a little rough. I cleaned it up and polished it good enough to work since they aren't high speed high load bearings and new shaft is pretty high priced. I'm hoping to have it back together by this week end, I've still got some trees to pull out!

Bob Mc

Help with TO35 Steering Problem

Bob Mc

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miner09

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Steve@Advance

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Bob Mc

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Steve@Advance

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Bob Mc

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Bob Mc

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