1949 John Deere Model A rollomatic front question

Jonathan Gurley · Aug 27, 2014

Hey guys. I recently bought a 49 A JD and when you try to get up to higher than 4 gear or higher the front wheels shimmy terrible, looks like the left is shimmying more than right but it might be just me, looks like bearing and such are fine , is there a adjusment in the front end or somewere to take out the shimmy or play. my uncle said he hear there was a "set" screw or something upfront somewere that you had to take the grill/front hood to adjust. any info or opinions are appreciatted.

Machinery-Man · Aug 27, 2014

I would say worn out steering section, bushings in rollamatic.....a worn out front end....$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ to fix.....

Jonathan Gurley · Aug 27, 2014

Here's another point for my knowledge. the front tires are worn cracked but hold air fine etc. could that be the culprit. just me guessing im thinking the front end is wore out but could the tires be the problem???

D- · Aug 27, 2014

I doubt it. I have run them with parts of center rim missing and no shimmy.
Never saw one shimmy. If one side is worse than other you would think one bushing would be worn more. Still never saw one shimmy worn out.

D- · Aug 27, 2014

PS
I agree with machinary-man that shimmy would be at top end.
I have seen 40 and the like shimmy but no rollamatic.

Mark-Ia · Aug 27, 2014

There is an eccentric bearing at the top of the steering post that can be adjusted.You can try less air in one front tire. Check the archives for the eccentric bushing adjustment.

Mike(NEOhio) · Aug 27, 2014

It's the top end. Adjust the sector closer to the worm. There's a screw to take out and rotate the bushing. There are shims under the bushing and they are notched for the screw. Did mine a few years ago and the shimmy is gone.

pbb · Aug 27, 2014

Johnathan i had the same problem with my 48A and I had dry rotted tires. I jacked up the front off the ground and spun my wheels and the tires were out of round. I thought about it when I had one go bad on my truck and the bands seperated causing the tire to work like a small cam.They were jumping up and down.I also did like others stated and tighten up the ecentric and the packing nut to take out the end play.

Jonathan Gurley · Aug 27, 2014

Is there any picture views or manual pics on how to do the eccentric bearing.. I have searched but didn"t fine much useful info.. and I might need to put new tires on it also.

1949ABG · Aug 27, 2014

I just got done overhauling the front end of my '49 A. After you tighten the eccentric bushing, there's a couple more items to check.

If the steering wheel turns more than 1/3 turn without moving the front wheels at all, tighten up the steering shaft by taking out shims in the front of the pedestal up top.(2 bolts under the sheet metal cap) Also, there's a bearing at the bottom of the pedestal that allows sloppy steering if it's completely shot.

Either get it to where you can live with it, or tear it all apart and do it right. You'll have to block up the front end and take the whole pedestal off the frame.

Good luck!

1949 John Deere Model A rollomatic front question

Jonathan Gurley

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Machinery-Man

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Jonathan Gurley

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D-

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D-

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Mark-Ia

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Mike(NEOhio)

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pbb

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Jonathan Gurley

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1949ABG

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