8N Steering

DD8NMI

New User
My 8N3159567 had a peculiar turning issue. Turned fine to the left but when turning to the right it would tear up anything short of blacktop. Decided it was time to see what was going on. When I started I was getting 2 1/2 turns of the steering wheel lock to lock. After taking it apart, inspecting the pieces, putting it back together and adjusting per FO-4 I get 3 1/2 turns lock to lock. I found it hard to see back in the holes when trying to align the gears so wondering does it sound like I am on the right path or should I take it apart and try it again?
 
I know there's a question in there somewhere but danged if I can find it :)

Lock-To-Lock turns don't really mean too much. You're shooting for steering that is relatively easy to change directions of the tractor and without excess play.

Is the driving range equal - Same turns required left and right?
 
I have not put the arms back on it yet so hard to judge. I was waiting until someone said 3 1/2 turns was good or no it wasn"t right. It worked before when it was wrong (2 1/2 turns) except for the left tire skidding because it was trying to turn too short of a radius and I believe that was due to a sector gear being in the wrong position which put the arms out of sync with each other.
 
im guessing the original problem was somebody had it apart before you got it and the steering was off, it was turning sharper to the right causing the tires to scrub,and cut, than it was to the left, depending on how new the front tires are and if there rib tractor tires or car tires, it may cut the ground when the tractor is at full lock in either direction, what you want to make sure of is that you have a equal number of turns from the center position, ie with the tractor tires pointing straight ahead you want it to turn the same amount right and left also you want, little slop in the center before the tierods begin to move , it will have some, thats how they are, but it shouldnt be anything like 1/4 turn
 
should NOT be hard to figure without arms on by making a painty dot ont he shaft and turing. or just slip fitting the sector arms on. you are looking for equal turns to each side and smooth range of motion with little play as DB said.
 

3-1/4 to 3-1/2 turns lock to lock is correct. The sectors were installed out of time before which caused your limited range and turning problems.
 
not to hijack this thread, but i noticed my 8n (early steering) seems to cut really hard at anything over approx. halfway to lock in either direction. It does NOT want to return to center if I make a U turn at the end of a street.

Tires on the front are fairly new tractor tires, with a nice large rib down the center. I was lead to believe it is going to cut some because of the tires, but this seems a bit "extreme" to me. Any ideas where to start?

I'm thinking:
1- double check alignment ( i think they are straight not in 1/2" in front)
2- check spindles.
 
check for proper 1/4" toe in, and also look for slop in the tie rod and draglink ends. plus sector slop. that slop will all be pulled hard over and make a turn cut more, then be harder to correct.
 

Think I found my issue. took a good look at the machine last night and the left side steering linkage (drag link) is bent right after it comes out of the adjuster sleeve. Could barely notice it from above, had to be looking from the side to really see it.


now, can these be bent back, or should I look for a replacement?
 

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