David Fulford
New User
Sorry for the title. Why can't I change that??
Anyway, my tractor came with power steering, but has at some point the cylinders and pump have been removed. Hard lines to the control valve have been crimped Even though it has the control valve in the stack it's just there to take up space.
I've been battling hard steering to the left for over a year now. Steering wheel would try to push out of the column when turning left. Following Soundguy's posts I thought I had bad thrust bearings. I finally took it apart and all the bearings look good. Both needle bearings and both thrust bearings are fine. The thrust bearings for my tractor are ball bearings so there's really not much to fail on them. Sector bushings are healthy and the shafts are tight when assembled. I can't find a reason for the hard steering.
The only thing I noticed is, the bearing lock nut was loose. It appears as if this would explain why the shaft would try to push out of the column when turning left, but still not sure that would cause it to be hard to steer left.
1. Should I just put it back together, making sure the bearing lock nut is tight and staked. What torque do I put on this? I can't find that anywhere in the book. (FO-20)
2. Since I'll likely not try to put the power steering back in service, should I just coat everything in light oil and leave the spindle and plungers in?
3. How does the upper needle bearing in the adapter get lube? Do I just pack it before assembly?
4. I don't plan on taking the side covers off the sector shafts to do anything with that. It all looks healthy and spins freely.
Thanks guys,
-Dave
Anyway, my tractor came with power steering, but has at some point the cylinders and pump have been removed. Hard lines to the control valve have been crimped Even though it has the control valve in the stack it's just there to take up space.
I've been battling hard steering to the left for over a year now. Steering wheel would try to push out of the column when turning left. Following Soundguy's posts I thought I had bad thrust bearings. I finally took it apart and all the bearings look good. Both needle bearings and both thrust bearings are fine. The thrust bearings for my tractor are ball bearings so there's really not much to fail on them. Sector bushings are healthy and the shafts are tight when assembled. I can't find a reason for the hard steering.
The only thing I noticed is, the bearing lock nut was loose. It appears as if this would explain why the shaft would try to push out of the column when turning left, but still not sure that would cause it to be hard to steer left.
1. Should I just put it back together, making sure the bearing lock nut is tight and staked. What torque do I put on this? I can't find that anywhere in the book. (FO-20)
2. Since I'll likely not try to put the power steering back in service, should I just coat everything in light oil and leave the spindle and plungers in?
3. How does the upper needle bearing in the adapter get lube? Do I just pack it before assembly?
4. I don't plan on taking the side covers off the sector shafts to do anything with that. It all looks healthy and spins freely.
Thanks guys,
-Dave