335 steering repair advice wanted

Hello,
I am the proud new (to me) owner of an MM 335.
It has a few things for me to work on, and the first I am tackling is the loose steering.
This tractor had a loader on it before I bought it, and the the central steering shaft and partner steering arm show it.
The woodruff (half-moon) key has been obviously 'rolling' a bit in its slot, opening the shaft slot, and rounding off the corners of the steering arm.
How have those of you who have wanted to tighten this shaft-arm assembly up done it?

Thoughts I have had include:
- Buying an oversize key and grinding/machining it to fit tightly
- Getting the steering arm off and having it built-up (if possible) and re-broached
- Tearing out the shaft and the arm, and having them both built-up and machined back to shape

The tractor does not have a loader anymore, and will see only limited use while I own it.

The tie-rod ends are quite tight in the steering arm, and while I have the steering arm off the shaft, I have not been successful at removing the steering arm from them.

Any guidance/advice is welcome!

Thanks in advance,
Duane
 
Is this 335 a Utility or a row crop? I am thinking a row crop uses a steering bolster more like a 445, with a bearing at top and bottom of the steering shaft, while I am thinking the Utility only has a bushing at the bottom.

I own a 335 Utility, but I have never been inside the steering gear.

Since you say you are only going to do limited use, Why don"t you put it back together with green Loctite-The sleeve and bushing stuff? I have seen it work wonders on loose pulleys in other applications.


The only cautions are to not put it anywhere you don"t want it to be when it sets and if you do ever want to remove it later, you will have to heat it to break the bond.
 
Hi T.r.k,

My 335 is a Utility.

Thanks for the Loctite approach. I wonder if that would hold in a case like this? I imagine this joint sees a _lot_ of torque, in both directions.

Thanks,
Duane
 
What made me think of it was we repaired an air compressor that way. 13 hp Honda engine pulling a great big 2 cylinder compressor. lots of vibration. Really hammering. Would walk all around on the shop floor.
We could not keep the engine pulley on the crankshaft without the loctite on the engine pulley.

I think it would work fine in your case, its fairly cheap and with heat you could get it apart later if it fails. Just let it cure for 24 hrs. before you work it.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top