Front Wheel Wobble (165)

Hey guys I took this video to show you how much my front wheels wobble on my 165. Note, the driver is trying to keep a straight line but the wobble really makes it difficult. What should I look at in order to fix this situation?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJV7_ZXhgBE&feature=youtu.be

1. replace front end with all new parts.

2. on my old tractor i just gave the front tires about 1" of toe out. Seemed to help the wobble a great deal.
later bought new tires and was able to readjust toe out,

but toe out helped

The steering on this series of tractor was one of the first things to cause issues/show wear on the tractors. As long as you don't mind making a bit of an adjustment once in a while, you can take the play out of the steering if you are going on a long "road" trip with the tractor. In the front of the tractor pop the grill out, and on the steering linkage you will see a large bolt with a a screwdriver slot or possibly a hex head in it, and a jam nut holding things in place. Tighten that adjusting bolt up so that it gets rid of the free play, and this will help immensely, but not get rid of all the slop.
The downside of this? there is no power steering when the adjuster is tightened up....The steering valve requires play to activate it, and that is where it comes from.

Hello LJS,
Isn't there a song about 'a whole lot of wobble going on!???' The 'King, I believe!!!!
Pity the video clip stopped just as we were beginning to see where the wobble was coming from.
You haven't mentioned whether your tractor has power steering or not. I start with one not fitted with PAS.
With the wheels in the straight ahead position turn the steering wheel back and forth in the play. Free travel of the wheel should be almost negligible. If you have a lot of play there it will be possible to take some or maybe all of it out by adjusting the steering box. The first photo shows the adjusting screw and locknut which is accessed by a hole in the fuel filter bracket. Jack the front up to remove most of the weight off the wheels. Slacken the nut and screw the adjuster in very slowly. As you are doing this have an assistant rock the steering wheel back and forth through the straight-ahead position. The wheel will go tight when you encounter the 'high spot'. Back off slightly until the wheel can be turned smoothly over the high spot but without any play. Nip the nut back up.
Next, check all of the ball joints from the rear of the drag link out to the wheels. Check in particular the ones nearest to the wheels. Have your assistant continue to turn the wheel back and forth and look for sideways movement at the point where the vertical shaft comes out of the underside of the axle casting. Many people do not know of the greasing point for the vertical shaft and so it gets overlooked. This is a major source of play. The bushes in the casting and possibly the shaft will need to be replaced. Check also whether the bottom arm is tight on the bottom of the shaft. A special MF reamer will be required.
Check for excessive end-float on the front axle. Endfloat should be 002-005" ideally. Excess movement here can cause wobble.
If you have PAS fitted, check for in and out and up and down play between the cylinder rod and casting. The up and down will reduce PAS efficiency. The second photo shows my 165 with a shim fitted under the rod. Wear in the cylinder pivot mechanism is not common but check for wear in the top casting bush as well.
I would not be a fan of screwing down the big adjuster as if the play is not in the PAS system it will have very little effect. I think that you will find that you have a moderate amount of wear in a lot of places. Nothing that can't be rectified.
DavidP, South Wales

I can see steering hoses inside the front grille, so follow David's
guide and you won't be far wrong. I would especially tell you to
check the bottom arm under the axle as it can come loose on the
splines. Also, I have come across a broken pin in the end of the
steering piston.
Sam

Thanks guys!!!!!!! David mine has power steering so I'll check it out. I have a leak also that I hope to fix as well.

I think it was "Whole Lot of Shakin Goin On"; Jerry Lee Lewis, 1960's as I recall. I loved it when he was in concert and torched a Full Grand Piano on stage, and then got on top of it to do his "THING". Saw it in a movie he made. Guy was surely different. Liked his music. And on his Niece, can't help who you fall in love with.

Thanks for the memory,

Mark

Hi, yes, appologies to any JLL fans out there. It's not really my music but I thought it was apt!!!!!
Cheers
DavidP