Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo Auction Link (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

loose steering Farmall A

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
Scott in Saxbg

04-15-2007 00:19:14




Report to Moderator

I am thinking about buying a Super A from my neighbor. It's a really nice tractor, BUT, it has a-l-o-t of play in the steering box; about a turn and a half before the wheels start to turn. I have seen other small Farmalls with excessive play also. What causes it and how do I cure it? How much play would be in it if it was new?




[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
dave guest

04-16-2007 15:27:01




Report to Moderator
 Re: loose steering Farmall A in reply to Scott in Saxbg , 04-15-2007 00:19:14  
Must be complicated. Ninety percent of A's I have seen are loose, including restored models. I have one been loose for 20 year at least. Git's by.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Hobo,NC

04-15-2007 07:19:05




Report to Moderator
 Re: loose steering Farmall A in reply to Scott in Saxbg , 04-15-2007 00:19:14  
Bits and tidbits I have learned and picked up from the find folks that hang out here.

There are no adjustments on this steering gear. All you can do is make sure that everything is as tight as you can get it and then you will need to start replacing bearings and bushings. The good news is that new bearings and bushings where needed will usually tighten these up enough to be satisfactory. Rarely is the worm gear or worm wheel worn enough to need that expensive replacement unless you are really particular. After tightening and checking keys , next thing is to take the big plug out of front of steering gear and check the ball bearing on the end of the steering wheel/worm gear shaft. Shaft and worm are all one piece and ball bearing is clamped to end with castle nut. Any play in bearing or in clamping system will result in play in steering. You can also check by pulling/pushing on steering wheel. If there is any back and forth play, the bearing on the end of the shaft is likely bad or loose. Inner race must be tight to the worm gear shaft and outer race must be tightly clamped to the steering gear housing by the big hex head plug. Sometimes you have to put a washer under the plug to get it to tighten up, but be sure the washer does not also tighten against any of the other bearing parts or the bearing inner race. Most of these I rebuild have 1/2 turn play in the wheel and hard to steer. i shoot for 1/4 turn free play in the wheel or less and easy to steer. If the bolt holes in the axle assy are oboblonged I weld them up and re drill, worn holes and bent bolts will throw the caster off enough to cause hard steer"n. if i could tell for sure this is the magic bullet to fix steer"n problems I would"int have to git my hands dirty enny more. you are gonna havta take a look. I have had good luck with this kit but always find sumin else worn, most of the time its just a matter of tightening up thinks are replacing the keys etc. most sectors are reused.

You kin rebuild it on the tractor but enny way you go you will need to remove the front axle. Remove the steer地 wheel and then the big nut/cap on the end of the steer地 box and the whole steer地 shaft will slide out. Remove the Pittman arm then six bolts that hold the steer地 bolster and remove, it comes out the bottom. Then you kin remove the sector for bear地 , seal & bush地 replacement. No mater what the bush地s look like replace弾m.
If the steer地 shaft is bent and most are they are no problem to straiten out. You will need access to a press to straiten it.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
AL CT

04-15-2007 05:15:21




Report to Moderator
 Re: loose steering Farmall A in reply to Scott in Saxbg , 04-15-2007 00:19:14  
Scott:
I have a 1950 Super A that I totally restored. The steering is loose, 1/4 to 1/3 turn, and researched at the time and found there was no economical way to thighten. Just maybe adding shims would help your excessive play.
Good luck.
AL CT



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
gene bender

04-15-2007 04:24:04




Report to Moderator
 Re: loose steering Farmall A in reply to Scott in Saxbg , 04-15-2007 00:19:14  
new seals bushings and bearings will run around 45 but then your steering will be like new again.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
dan hill

04-15-2007 02:59:40




Report to Moderator
 Re: loose steering Farmall A in reply to Scott in Saxbg , 04-15-2007 00:19:14  
The steering arm that connects to the tie rods is often loose on shaft that comes out of the steering box.The arm gets worn to the point where you have to replace it.Have a helper turn the wheel back and forth and see if the shaft is loose in the arm.A lot of As have welded steering boxes also.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Scott in Saxbg

04-16-2007 01:50:11




Report to Moderator
 Re: loose steering Farmall A in reply to dan hill, 04-15-2007 02:59:40  
Thanks guys for all of your knowledge. I have about 2 1/2 full turns of play and think it is all in the box. The arm and tie rods, spindles and other items seem tight. I think I will just completely rebuild the box and have a good local tractor mechanic/machinist look at the worm and sector. As for normal play, I thought someone would say 1/16 to 1/8 turn of play; not a quarter of a turn. I guess I"ll find out...
I bought the tractor , by the way. It"s very nice in every other way.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
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. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy