Front end wobble

1944 Farmall M tractor,tricycle. Last year I bought a steering kit with bushings and bearings and installed it on my M, along with turning the sector gear and buying a new/used steering shaft with worm gear from Bates corp. I just completed a wheel bearing and seal replacement. Before I started any work the steering wheel would turn 90 degrees before the wheels moved. After all this work the steering wheel turns the wheels instantly, no play. I still have wobble going down the road. I did not replace the universal joint because it seemed tight and it has a grease fitting. What else is there to look at for wobble? I wonder how well these tractors handled new from the factory? Ideas? Thanks, Ellis
 
One idea; remove the front grill, the hood, the steering box cover, jack up the front end a half inch, get the wheels off the ground, have someone sit in the seat and with one finger turn the steering wheel back-forth-back-forth, as you stand in front and see what is moving and what is not moving. That might tell you where the slop is.
 
Is it possible that one or both front wheels and or tires may not be running true? I remember that they have cast centers for the rims to fasten to. There might a possibility that there is something that is preventing flat seating. You might try rotating the tires from side to side.
My son recently bought tires mounted on rims for a utility trailer and they were so far from running true that it shook the towing vehicle. They were also out of round. He took them back and they gave him a different pair which were better.
 
This tractor has the old style wheels and rims that fasten like the rears, with clamps. I re-worked the rims by welding 2 small tabs on each rim to keep the rims from slipping on the wheels, and built up the worn spots. I did reverse the tires, wheels, and rims to opposite sides, but that didn't make any difference. Ellis
 
Drive one front tire up on a 2x4 to get the other tire off the ground/floor. Use another 2x4 set vertically beside the raised front wheel close enough to leave a small gap. Spin the wheel thats off the ground while watching the gap between the 2x4 and the tire to check for wobble. Next lay the 2x4 down and slide it under the tire to the same small gap and spin the tire to see if its out of round. Repeat this same procedures for the other tire. This should show if tire or wheel is the problem.
How does the rim bolt to the hub? If it has "pucks" that hold the rim on you likely need to loosen them and reposition the rim. I know of no adjustment if the rim bolts directly to the hub.

Dave
 

You didn't go deep enough. The wobble problem usually is not in the steering. The wobble results from worn out bushings in the lower bolster, and probably the bolster steering shaft is worn out also. When these tractors were new, and/or not worn out, they would go straight down the road in road gear, wide open throttle, and you could easily steer with just one hand. Rebuild that bolster and it will be that nice again.
 
I have also heard of cheating by lowering the pressure in one of the tires to create a little drag. I don't know about it, but would be cheap and easy to try.
 
they made "steering shims" they went between the steering pedestal and the steering shaft that were supposed to help with as I have heard called "flutter steering " they changed the "rake" of the front end I have never used them so I cant really say much
 
they made "steering shims" they went between the steering pedestal and the steering shaft that were supposed to help with as I have heard called "flutter steering " they changed the "rake" of the front end I have never used them so I cant really say much
 
they made "steering shims" they went between the steering pedestal and the steering shaft that were supposed to help with as I have heard called "flutter steering " they changed the "rake" of the front end I have never used them so I cant really say much
 
brain fart they are called "steering wedges" sorry for the triple post I don't know how I did that and I sure wish they would bring back the EDIT BUTTON
 
I had and H that had death wobble. I spun the steering so the wheels spun 180 degrees and the wobble went away. Not sure if it really matters or if i just changed the wear to a less worn spot.
 
(quoted from post at 06:33:14 10/05/18) I had and H that had death wobble. I spun the steering so the wheels spun 180 degrees and the wobble went away. Not sure if it really matters or if i just changed the wear to a less worn spot.

One of the 4 bolts that hold the lower bolster to the upper is supposed to be a stop bolt that prevents turning 180 degrees. If that bolt is missing, maybe the wheels had already been turned 180 degrees?

Whatever the case may be, you've got me thinking.
 

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