4250 Steer Assist cylinder

woodvue

Member
I have an earlier 4250 MFWD (s/n 6277)and the steering assist cylinder pin broke out of the steering knuckle. Upon inspection the steering knuckle casting is very worn and the end of the cylinder looks to be oval. Looks like grease wasn't getting into where it needed to be The other side has almost wore the pin through (pic) but the casting is not worn and looks like new parts will fix it. However it looks like I'll be looking for a new knuckle casting on the bad side. Has anyone ever ran into something similar? Do you think the cylinder end is salvageable? According to the parts book, this cylinder setup wasn't used on later serial numbers.
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Must be a ZF axel....seems like all those had steering assist cylinders.

I did some repairs on a 4850 mfwd a couple three years ago...it had similar problems with the pin holes in the knuckle casting being wallowed out.

Not a repair I'm proud of...but I fabricated a shim that brought the pin hole in the knuckle approx. back to round(and a tight fit on the pin). Only the top hole on this knuckle was oblonged and the cylinder rod-hole was ok.

I cleaned the casting up clean clean and 'JB-Quicked' the shim in with the new pin in place. Seems to have stayed for the fellow...but I've been scared to ask!

I would think a new/used casting the best fix(ZF parts are stupid expensive!)...I also imagine a good machine shop might be willing and able to install a bushing in the steering cylinder rod

I have seen 50 series MFWD tractors with the steering assist cylinder deleted and hoses capped-off...which seems a poor fix to me especially if it's a loader tractor.
 

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