650 Steering Linkage

I just noticed a problem with my left pitman arm. You can see it rubbing in this pic:


This one shows another view of it:


Is it bent? It is tight up against the gear assembly. Can I put a washer between it and the gear box?

Thanks.

probably not bent, but probably too close to the steering box.

I see you said tight up.. that tells me it is setting too far inboard on the shaft. since these should get tighter as you slide them on.. the sector shaft spline OD or the sector arm socket ID is worn, or both, letting the arm set far in and be tight to the box, and having reduced clearance at the tie rod/draglink pin and casting.

washer won't work because of the living arangement of the arm and shaft.

since you can't grow the shaft, you have to shrink the hole in the arm.

slip off the sector arm, heat the sector splined end hole with a torch, then lay it on your anvil and give it a good whack then test fit it. don't get carried away. each whack flattens the splined socket end a hair, making OD grow, and ID shrink. do both sides so it is not lopsided.. another option is to weld a couple beads along the top circumference of the splined socket.. you have access to about 240' of surface to weld on. weld the beads on the top circumference, and allow to cool, then grind the weld off. the cooling will draw and shrink the socket.

both work, I have used both.

remember, do a little, then test, etc. small increments. don't heat it white/red, beat it flat then wonder why it won't fit.

Soundguy

Thanks souNdguy, I understand what you're saying having been in welding/fabricating for forty years but unfortunately have no access to any equipment right now. If I was still working it would be a no-brainer. Hoping I can just keep an eye on it and catch it before it goes right through the casting - at least then there would be lots of clearance and a chance to try out various JB Weld techniques :lol: .

Unless you tighten the arm more, its probably wore-in now, so when you get the tools you can put it right.

Seems like a lot of work doing it as
described below.
I would just heat it and bend it out
slightly.
Put a piece of sheet metal between the arm
and transmission and you could heat/bend
it without removing anything from the
tractor.
EZ

Now I just need something a little hotter than a BernzOmatic .

That's a 'pump it full of rtv' type answer.

His sector arm is too close to the housing of the steering box due to spline wear.. Its easy to remedy.

Heating the arm in place will road the sector seal making nor problems down the road

until you can get the tools and torch (or a better steering arm...worn out is worn out)
pop the link end out, put the nut back on flush and grind it down some, and put it back together.
Only you will ever know (don't tell us lol)

had to grind a few import tie rod ends down where the stud was too long and hit the radius arm pin.

cut a new slot in the pin end with a hacksaw if you grind it down

Thanks all for the help. Never would of thought that it fit that way. I'm going to take a chance on leaving it for now and hope it doesn't get worse (famous last words ).

Great explanation, SG. Hope I never have to try it tho!
Thanks!