Rebuilding steering box on Ford 2000

Tom in TN · Sep 27, 2012

I am in the process of rebuilding the steering box on my 1973
Ford 2000 tractor with manual steering.

Today, I put the new parts into the box - upper and lower
bearings and new seals all the way around. The timing on the
sector gears was easy and the re-assembly went well. I adjusted
the end play on the sector shafts so that there is no perceptible
endplay (I guess that means zero gear lash).

Here's my problem - even with all of that, when I turn the
steering wheel, I get quick movement of the left side steering
arm, but there is a delay before the right side arm starts moving.

I rechecked the end play on the sector shaft, but I still have that
delay. The sector gears looked okay to me, but the fact is, I
don't really know what they should look like. Do you suppose
that they could be worn enough that I can remove the endplay
and still have some slop between the sector gears?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Tom in TN

souNdguy · Sep 27, 2012

ballnut drives the double sector.. double sector drives single sector.

if teeth of the single sector are wore, or the driving teeth of the double sector, there will be lag. also if there is backlash.. there will be play..

does the lag only happen in one direction or both?

gear profiles should not be pointy...

post back

Tom in TN · Sep 27, 2012

Soundguy,

Thanks for the post. The delay occurs both directions. The sector gears certainly are not pointed on the ends, but I just wonder if there is enough wear on the sides of the teeth that they somehow aren't staying in contact throughout their range of motion.

I've checked endplay throughout the movement of the steering wheel, and I can't detect it at any point, but I can't figure out why there would be delay if the teeth stay in contact with one another.

The mechanism is pretty simple. It should be obvious what is wrong, but as of right now, it has me stumped.

Tom in TN

souNdguy · Sep 27, 2012

worn teeth will give you a delay when you change direction.. once that delay is taken up you are tooth to tooth and they should stay synced untill you steer back the other way, in which the single sector should lag the driven sector by a little travel. IE.. the single sector will always be the lagging one when you change direction. if there is wear in the teeth of the ballnut and the front of the double sector, the double sectro will lag the steering wheel when you change directions..e tc.

if there is excessive thrust play, the double sector will lag the stering wheel too.

ensure the sector arms are not wallowed out and slipping on the sector shafts..

ensure the steering pittman arms at the front are not loose on the spindles.

ensure that the drag link and tie rod ends don't have excessive play. excessive play in a tie rod end will lead to a lazy tire that does lag steering wheel movement.. ot he other tire movement, if it's ends are tighter.

Tom in TN · Sep 27, 2012

Thanks again Soundguy,

I guess I'm going to finish re-assembling the tractor and see what happens. If it is acceptable I'll use it 'til it absolutely has to be fixed better.

I don't know how much the sector shafts would cost, but I imagine they are pretty expensive.

Tom in TN

souNdguy · Sep 28, 2012

it's cheaper to get a good box salvage that to 'part' one together.. unless you get cheap aprts.

I got lucky and parted one by getting some odds n ends fromt he guys here.. but in general.. a salvage good box may be easier IF your ballnut assy and sector gears are worn past usefull life..

Tom in TN · Sep 28, 2012

Thanks Soundguy,

I have had pretty good luck with two different used parts yards - on in Pennsylvania and one in Minnesota. If/when I have to do more, I'll check with them on the parts.

I work an off-the-farm job in the afternoon/evening, so my time is pretty limited but I got the tractor put back together today except for the instrument panel and hood. Hopefully, I'll be able to try it out tomorrow.

Tom in TN

souNdguy · Sep 28, 2012

good luck / post back.

Most of the boxes I rebuild are bearing/race/seal/bushing issues.

I did a 2000 a while back that had soooo much wear int he ballnut that it cocked ont he wormshaft..and both sector gears were worn.. one way mor ethan the other due to bad thrust bearings. i got a used ballnut assy/wormshaft and 1 sector gear and it was enough to put it back together with new bearings..e tc. tightened it up a bit. other sector had soem wear ont he external splines.. so I did a lil shrinking on the sector arm and thet worked nice.

Rebuilding steering box on Ford 2000

Tom in TN

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