Question about steering parts for a Case-Ingersol 444

SgtSchultz

New User
My 444's steering was popping and free-wheeling. I replaced the steering shaft and gear on the end. Something is amiss with the steering gears. They do not align or mesh like they should, even with all shims and spacers removed. It has a steering gear XC18711 and support C18992. These are the parts which came on the tractor when I bought it used. Both parts are in very good shape and would rather use them than buy expensive replacements. Any thoughts, advice, or suggestions are appreciated.
 
The shims on the sector gear shaft are not to be removed. Placed on the top, they loosen the gear mesh, moving them to the bottom they reduce the clearance. There should be almost no up/down play on that gear.

And, there should be no play in the fit of either t he shaft bushing or the gear bushing.
 
Thanks Ken, I understand how adjusting the fit of the gears works. I am sorry that I have a hard time putting my thoughts into words. Even with all the shims moved to the bottom, the gears only engage half way and do not mesh nearly enough. It appears that this gear is not the right one for this tractor. The steering in this tractor has popped from day one. After looking through all the 444 parts manuals, I cannot find where the steering support and steering gear in my tractor were ever listed together for any 444. I will modify this gear and let you know the outcome.
 
When you are not the ORIGINAL owner of the tractor, then you sometimes end up buying some of the stupid things that past owners do to their tractor.

Instead of running off and trying to modify one or more parts, why not start over with Ken and I by telling us the serial number of your 444 so that we know which "build" your tractor is.
 
Model 444-76, Serial# 9726351. The correct parts catalog for this tractor is B1322.I have the steering support out of the tractor. Here's a picture of the misalignment. The mesh of the gears is hard to see from this angle, but will result in ruining another pinion gear.
a169342.jpg
 
The part number for the steering shaft with pinion gear should be C16200. as per the parts manual and that shaft has a woodruff key near the top end to engage the steering wheel.

I don't know if that shaft is still available. Case dropped the keyed shaft and went with a roll pin to secure the steering wheel to the steering shaft and the current part number for that shaft is C25326 so I am wondering where you came up with the XC18711 part number.


If you remove the steering shaft from the support bracket, are there any washers between the pinion gear and the bracket? There should be two 5/8" washers in that spot, which would cause the pinion gear to sit lower.

Does the support bracket look as though someone has bored out the steering shaft hole and installed a bushing? If this was not done properly, then perhaps the steering shaft is now closer to the quadrant gear than it was originally.

Perhaps..... replacing the support bracket might resolve this problem. Ken may be able to help you on that score.

Something is definitely weird. I have never come across this problem previously.
 
XC18711 is the number on the quadrant gear. I got a new shaft/gear used with the roll pin. There were no washers between the pinion gear and the support bracket. The support bracket has not been modified and there is very little clearance when the shaft is put in it. What caused the weirdness is IMHO that the PO replaced the quadrant gear with the wrong one. I am thinking about milling off the part of the quadrant gear that contacts the support bracket to let the gears move closer together. I know that sounds extreme but that's cheaper than buying a new quadrant. C18711, which I think is the same as my XC18711, was used with C25788 support bracket on 444's after serial #9739739 thru 14039740. I have done a LOT of searching parts books. If I could find a C25788 bracket it might fix my problem. Meanwhile I'll wait for your and Ken's opinion on this. Thanks for your input.
 
Sorry, Tom, I see where I called the quadrant gear a steering gear. In the parts book it is refered to as steering gear. I would rather call it a quadrant gear because that is more descriptive.
 
The number XC18711 is not a part number, it is a casting number that is used by the company who casts those gears for Case. Just so you know.

I was not suggesting that you purchase a NEW support bracket but rather a USED bracket from a tractor that is being parted out. That is why I suggested that Ken may be able to help you out with that because Ken does dismantle some of the older Case tractors and sells the parts for very reasonable prices.

The 2nd reason I suggested Ken is because he KNOWS these tractors very well and he can be TRUSTED to sell you the CORRECT part that is still in very useable condition. While I can fully understand your frustration here and your intent to find the lowest cost solution, milling the support bracket you have is pretty extreme and may not provide you with the desired results.

Neither Ken nor I are there to view your tractor and the problem but I am sure that Ken will agree with me 100 percent that this issue is unheard of in the world of Case GT's and that it is best solved by making sure the absolute correct parts for YOUR tractor's original BUILD are being used.

Ken and I have witnessed many a Frankenstein's creation show up over the years whereby someone has cobbled together a tractor from two or three other tractors that are widely spaced apart by the actual date of manufacture.

At this stage, you know that you have the correct quadrant gear and correct steering shaft. What you do not know to a certainty is whether the steering support is correct for your tractor. I am also concerned about the missing washers on the steering shaft because the combined thickness of those two washers changes the positioning of the pinion gear in relation to the quadrant gear.

Keeping mind that quadrant gear has very thin shims that will change the "lash" between the two gears just by shifting one or two of those washers from the top to the bottom of the quadrant gear, then imagine how much of a difference those two thick washers will make. If I were you, I would purchase a couple of 5/8" flat washers from the hardware store, slide them onto the steering shaft and then slide the steering shaft back into the support bracket. Install the quadrant gear and see what happens.

Those two washers may change everything at the bottom and then at that point, you need to look at what was done at the top of the steering column when it comes to pinning the steering wheel back on.

Kindly check that out and let us know what you find.
 
Thanks for the heads up on the casting number.

A used support bracket would be great, the correct one, of course.

I agree that this mechanism has been altered using "extra" but not correct parts someone had laying around.

I see the importance of the correct washers and shims. My aim is to have correct alignment and lash of the gears. I'll try washers above the pinion gear and post my findings. Thanks
 
I think Tom has given you good advice. If, after installing the washers, you still have an issue needing parts drop me an email.
 

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