John Deere B Steering

We have a 1947 B sn 202247. It steers extremely hard. We also have a JD50 and it doesn't turn hard at all. I decided to take the front pedestal off and check the shaft and bushings. I have removed the steering wheel and steering shaft. I got the nuts off 4 of the 6 studs holding it onto the tractor. I don't have a tool that will be able to get to the other two nuts which are right behind the radiator lower.
Will I need to take the radiator off? Will I need to remove the entire sheet metal, gas tank, coolant hoses, etc.?
I restored this tractor 2-3 years ago. It took me 14 months. At the time there didn't seem to be a steering problem. I'm not wanting to take it all apart and scratch the bolts and other parts.
Does anyone have any other ideas?

Question 2,
With the front tires on the floor, with the weight on them, it is very difficult to turn. Jacked up I can turn the wheels with little effort. Is this because a bushing or something is worn out on the shaft and when it's jacked up there is no tension on the bushings?
The sector and worm gear look good so should the problem be only inside the pedestal?

Thanks,
Bob
Bellefontaine, Ohio
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If you go to www.jdparts.com you can download the B parts book. It shows a bushing and thrust washer at the bottom of the steering pedestal. Perhaps your thrust washer is badly worn, or maybe the assembly just needs greased. I think I saw in a service manual of hoisting the front of the tractor off the ground to remove the shaft, bushing and washer.
 

Were the Ball bearings on either side of the steering Worm in Good shape ( and Installed properly )..?

Jack the front off the ground and see how it turns...

I am not sure which models had a Grease Zerk on the pedestal that you could not get to without removing the Rt side front screen...

"Corn Head Grease" works well in the steering box..
 
Thanks for your reply!
The worm gear bearings and races were replaced with new a couple years ago and installed according to service manual. I jacked the wheels off the ground and it turns easy. I am not good at explaining but I'm trying - With wheels on the ground and all weight on them I cannot turn it with both hand sitting on the seat, on a concrete floor, moving slow. I have to stop stand up using both arms and put all my weight into it to turn. I put 3 tractors in my garage with other things and it takes some maneuvering. I have a JD40T which is not a fair comparison, it turns so easy. I also have a JD50 and I have no trouble at all turning it! the JD50 is heavier, longer, and has more weight on the front wheels so it is a fair comparison.
What is wrong that when weight is on the wheels and pedestal makes it nearly impossible to turn?
Thanks,
Bob
 
Thanks for your reply.
I have parts book. With all due respect I won't know what is bad till I get it apart. My service manual says to take out the six bolts and remove the unit from the tractor. I wonder if there is a special tool or wrench to reach the 2 center bolts without taking out the radiator? A box end, open end wrench, or socket and ratchet won't fit in the space.
I would rather jack it up far enough to remove it from the bottom but I don't have the equipment to do that. I could rent some equipment but I can't visualize what I would need to safely do this?
All your help and comments are truly appreciated!
Thanks,
Bob
 
It pretty well takes an overhead chain hoist to lift them up.(safely) I think I did one that way once.
 
The only ones I know have a grease spot on the RH side are the later power steering models. Like a 50 on up. you remove the grille and install a fitting in the pipe plug hole and give it some shots so it can dribble grease down onto the thrust bearing.
None of this will apply to his B however.
 

I agree, the late JD "B" has to be one of the easiest tractors to steer in any conditions ( or Should be)..

Mine still has the old Manure Loader on it..I use it a lot to shove limbs, trees into the ravine and for snow removal and it even steers pretty easy..unless I have the Bucket on it, filled Heavily..then ya just "Finesse it"..

Always appreciated the Roll-a-matic when working plowed ground the 1st time...SO much better than the AC WD-45..(we had 2 of each)..still have one of each..

I have seen old Ford tractors with bad steering Boxes that steered just as you describe..

Hope you let us know what you find in there...
Ron..
 
I bent a 1-1/16th" wrench and was able to get it on the last two bolts without removing the radiator. I bought a used pedestal because I found a crack in the old one and lubricant for the sector was running out. The one I bought has roll-o-matic. I am happy about that! I decided to replace all the bearing, races, seals and anything else that might look worn on the replacement pedestal before I install it. I bought an engine lift to help me move these thing around.
Thanks for all your help everyone!
Bob
 
I actually found the problem of why the tractor turned so hard. The Eccentric Bushing, pn B2191R which is under the sector was nearly frozen on the shaft. I had a hard time getting this part off the shaft. I used a 3 lb. hammer and a 3/4" brass punch. Still I would have to re-tap the threads if I was going to use it. Fortunately the used pedestal I bought has both the shaft and the Eccentric Bushing so I have two to choose from. I just thought I'd ad this in case someone else had the same problem.
FYI - The lower Bushing B101R is no longer available. I had already ruined the one I had taking it out before I found this out. Having one made. Pricey!
 

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