8n nsteering

Nat · Dec 27, 2014

I bought a 49 8n just to use here around the place. Mostly I use a scrape blade but have a bushhog, mower, sub soiler, boom ect. Tractor runs good and does what I need except for the steering. It stters hard and has a lot of play, not in the steering wheel, but between the steering arms. I have greased everything, and also put grease in steering box and have jacked the front up and cycled the steering lock to lock plenty of times. It has the 4 bolt sector and I have turned them , left side to front and right side to rear thinking the lobes would cause the 2 cogged shafts to be closer thereby eliminating some of the slack, but it didnt help.
What can I do to make it steer easier and limit the slack? Thanks, Nat

ZANE · Dec 28, 2014

The pitman shaft bushing are worn out and before you can take the play out you will need to replace them.
Pull the pitman arms off and then pull the four bolts out to remove the hubs to replace the bushings.

Zane

Nat · Dec 28, 2014

thanks. Will that help with the hard steering?

R Geiger · Dec 28, 2014

(quoted from post at 01:24:57 12/29/14) thanks. Will that help with the hard steering?

hard steering depends on what you are expecting.when they are stilling still they aare very hard to steer, but do pretty good when moving. they do not have power steering. what did it feel like when you had the front jacked up? if it was nice and free when jacked up then it is not binding up.
good luck

Nat · Dec 28, 2014

It steers harder than I think it should is the best answer I have. With the front jacked up it steers ok but not what I would call easy. Most of the 8n's I have driven over the years steer pretty easy, I have even driven them with a loader on that steered easier than this on. I pulled the 4 bolt covers and the right side goes in and out easy, but the left side has to be pulled/pried out and pulled back in with the bolts. Also the "rack" for lack of a better word will rotate when you are trying to put the left side back in and I had to squirt enough grease behind it to hold it in place to put the shaft back in. I don't have a manuel, but I'm not a dummy either, I can look at something and see how it works but nothing like the combined experience of a bunch of folks that have workrd on them for years can give the needed repairs/replacements. I know someone on here has had the same problem and knows what I need to do to fix it. Thanks, Nat

R Geiger · Dec 28, 2014

(quoted from post at 02:16:54 12/29/14) It steers harder than I think it should is the best answer I have. With the front jacked up it steers ok but not what I would call easy. Most of the 8n's I have driven over the years steer pretty easy, I have even driven them with a loader on that steered easier than this on. I pulled the 4 bolt covers and the right side goes in and out easy, but the left side has to be pulled/pried out and pulled back in with the bolts. Also the "rack" for lack of a better word will rotate when you are trying to put the left side back in and I had to squirt enough grease behind it to hold it in place to put the shaft back in. I don't have a manuel, but I'm not a dummy either, I can look at something and see how it works but nothing like the combined experience of a bunch of folks that have workrd on them for years can give the needed repairs/replacements. I know someone on here has had the same problem and knows what I need to do to fix it. Thanks,
Nat

sounds like you know what it should feel like. SOMETIMES THAT IS half of the battle. I have rebuilt the latter style but not yours. The bearings may be bad, top and bottom, mine were shot when i did mine. Does the steering wheel go up or down when turning?

A manual really would help you, especially when you decide to overhaul the steering box. I am 70, have been a mech for most of those years and use my manual all the time. I got it sitting right next to me now.

Nat · Dec 28, 2014

I'm going to get a manuel, just havn't yet. I guess I'm going to have to pull the hood and dash to get to all of it , and while I'm that far I might as well rebuild it.I just hope that makes it steer better, cause if not it will be looking for a home. Thanks, Nat

Lynn Patrick · Dec 28, 2014

Is the front end toe-in adjusted properly? I have found they steer amazingly better if they are adjusted to 1/4" toe-in. The last 2 I have bought were 2" to 3" & steered very hard! Even worse if toed OUT!

Nat · Dec 28, 2014

yes I have checked the toe in and it is ok. It actually steered farther to the left than the right and I adjusted iot by running the right side in and the left side out to get the correct turn angle and toe in

Blue Jay · Dec 28, 2014

With the front tires off the ground it should take very little effort to turn the wheels. Might be the spindles trying to seize up.

ZANE · Dec 29, 2014

The top steering shaft thrust bearing may be shot??
Does the steering wheel hub rise and fall when turning the slack? If so it's for sure the thrust bearings.
When the bushings and seals go in the pitman shafts the top thrust bearing is starved for lubrication.
When you have it all back together and working good fill it to the top with corn head grease or just plain implement grease. I don't even know what "corn head" grease is. I've used implement grease in Steering boxes since 1960
Zane

8n nsteering

Nat

Member

ZANE

Well-known Member

Nat

Member

R Geiger

Well-known Member

Nat

Member

R Geiger

Well-known Member

Nat

Member

Lynn Patrick

Well-known Member

Nat

Member

Blue Jay

Member

ZANE

Well-known Member

Similar threads