Odd steering problem

So I just recently purchased a new to me 1950 8N in really good shape. Runs excellent, hydraulics are great, trans is smooth etc, needs one rear axle hub and seals replaced due to a minor leak and a slight play in the hub. And one tire will be replaced for a piece of mind. Holds air but is really dry rotted. Paid $1250 for it with a blade. Anyway it has been driving fine and then the other morning it was 6 degrees out, I started it up just fine let it warm up and started off. It would not turn to the left past center, would turn to the right all day long nice and smooth then back to the left until the wheels were strait again but no further. I managed to get it into the garage. Parked it for a day and then went out to look it over and low and behold it would easily turn in both directions again. What could it be? Could something have been frozen in the steering box to cause it? Should I tear down the steering box and rebuild it? Would hate for it to happen when I wasn't right at the house and able to just do a lap around the house to make it into the shop. Any suggestions. I literally have had it about a week. So my shop manuals are in the mail and will not be here until Friday.

You have some water in the steering gear box. The dust seal in
the end of the shaft is probably out of it. I can't remember if
there is a drain plug on it or not. I would probably just drain it
and refill accordingly while I had it inside and warn.

Yup, likely ice, service the box, bearingss may be rusty!

I agree..ice in the box. Had the same problem with my 51 the first winter. I took the whole steering box off in a warm shop, dumped the water which was quite a bit and refilled with I wanna say 80-90w..my seals don't leak so no issues there.

Most likely, the upper thrust bearing has failed and roller(s) have fallen into the rack.

If so, the problem will return and become more frequent until the steering column is removed and the bearing is replaced.

Not uncommon.

Dean

Could be ice....could be bearings. Easy enough to fix either one. About 30 minutes to replace the bearing & seals. But it will take you an hour to get to it! (see tips 12 & 73)

Drill out the dash support, remove the pipe plug in the box & put in a brass filler pipe w/ a cap so that you can easily add oil as needed.

I use oil. If you replace the seals, it will last a long time w/o leaks. And oil will never dry out like any grease will eventually do.

75 Tips

Ice for sure.....everyone is spot on.....only happens once....lol.....and then you never let it happen again....I thawed mine out with a torpedo heater....spaced far enough away.....drained and refilled....

thanks everyone. I will try to drain it and refill it first.