TO30 steering system

SrPhatness · Sep 5, 2016

Hey everyone.
New to the forum and to the vintage tractor world. So far I am enjoying it. I have a TO30 that I have cracked the steering box housing. I have a new one on the way and figure it is probably best to rebuild most of the steering components to take a lot of the slop out of the steering system (said slop definitely contributed to the cracked housing).

I have already rebuilt the steering shaft and bearings down from the steering wheel so it is nice and tight. I have ordered steering box seals, outer bushings, both front hub rebuild kits (bearings, seals and such), both spindle rebuild kits, front and rear tie rod ends, as well as rear tie rod boots.

So two questions:
1. will the front tie rod end come with the boot/dust protector? (looks like it in the picture)

2. does it sound like I am missing anything to make the steering system nice and tight again?

Thanks

Steve@Advance · Sep 5, 2016

The tie rod ends should come with new boots.

Assuming the housing you have coming is an empty housing, inspect all the used components carefully that are going back in. If it was operated with a worn of broken housing, there could be abnormal wear on the gears and shafts, or cracked teeth on the gear. You may want to add a grease fitting for the upper shaft bearings while it's apart.

The spindle shafts will probably be worn where the bushings contact them. The only solution is to replace them. BTW, the spindle bushings will need to be reamed to size once they are pressed in. Best done by a machine shop or truck shop that does suspension work.

There is also a center pivot pin and bushing that may need attention while you are there.

Duner Wi · Sep 6, 2016

I think 1/4-28 UNF Thread Grease Zerk Fitting Nipple is more common for Zerks.

Bruce(OR) · Sep 6, 2016

It's going to cost you two cents and some research for my fix. Hope you can afford it.
Research the years of the highest copper content for pennies. Get two of those. Hence two Cents.
Remove the stabilizer arms from the ball sockets on the side of the tractor. Insert pennies in the sockets behind the balls. I believe I held mine in with RTV. Grease would work but tends to attract abrasive dirt. Reassemble and it will be tighter.

SrPhatness · Sep 24, 2016

Thanks for the input guys. I had a little bit of a delay because I just sold my home and was in the process of moving. I got the new steering box in and hammered new oil seals into it. I was going to put new bushings in the steering box but I put the ones that came in the box look like they are in good shape. I put a mic on them and they measured the same inner diameter as the new ones. So I am going to save myself the effort and call them good.

I'm hoping to get a change to get down to the property sometime tomorrow and get the steering box taken of the tractor and bring it back to the house so I can gut it. Also one of the rims started leaking water and air out so I need to get it up on blocks and order in a new rim.

Once again, thanks for the input.

TO30 steering system

SrPhatness

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Steve@Advance

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Duner Wi

Well-known Member

Bruce(OR)

Well-known Member

SrPhatness

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