860 steering issue

Superduty350 · May 28, 2012

Purchased a 1957 Ford 860 with a rotary mower, FEL, and blade. Great running machine, except for making a left hand turn. Turning right and then centering up is smooth and easy. Turning left is a wrestling match. At halfway, it is a two handed struggle to get the wheels around. Centers up with no problem from the far left lock though. No grinding, no clunks, bangs, or catches, just stiff as could be. What's up with this machine?

Ultradog MN · May 28, 2012

Upper bearing in your steering colums is dry from no oil and going out on you. Fixing it is very easy. But, grrr. You gotta pull the hood and dash to get at it.

Kurt-NEPA · May 29, 2012

Had the same problem with my 660. Ultradog is right. My upper thrust bearing was dry and shot. I pulled the steering gear, replaced the bearings and put in new seals. I filled it with John Deere Cornhead grease. Works great now.

Superduty350 · May 29, 2012

Thanks! The FEL is a Wagner, that should make the hood removal a complete pain.

souNdguy · May 29, 2012

no need to pull the hood.. just disconnect the hood side panels from the dash and the dash cowling.. and dash cowling front the box colum.

dash top must come off.. hood.. no.

as the others said.. it's usually a simple job of thrust beairngs.. maybee races.. perhaps the top column bushing.. readjust the sector gears.. add lube. seals if needed.. adjsut and go.

I like 0 or 00 ep lube.. great with new seals.. ok with old seals...

soundguy

860 steering issue

Superduty350

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Ultradog MN

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Kurt-NEPA

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Superduty350

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souNdguy

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