350 bolster shaft length

jcwag · Oct 3, 2010

my 350 diesel steering is really loose, after some investigation i discovered that the upper bolster shaft and the gear at the top are loose, and i mean really loose. it looks like either the shaft does not come up high enough for the gear to seat tight, (yes the gear is correct) or it may have the wrong shaft installed as this one that is in it has a key way cut in it for a cultivator bracket of some sort, so i am thinking this shaft is for a h. does anyone know how long this shaft measures?? or if a farmall 350 should have a key way in this area?? it would line up with the front grill cutout on a h or super h. also the top cover has a bulge in it so the shaft and top nut should stick up above the casting, and this one is below the top of the cast.thanks

D Slater · Oct 3, 2010

22- 1/8 inches from the shoulder where the lower bearing and spacer rests to the top of splines where the threads start. Most 350 didn't have a keyway. Biggest part of H used the same size shaft as a 350 but 2 different ones for earlier ones. Most bolsters shafts have up and down play, are you checking height with shaft up? Splines are tappered so if gear is moving on shaft its not tightened down enough most times.
If the shaft happends to be short or not the correct lower bearing or spacer installed, the sector gear would probably contact the bolster before it tightened on the splines. If I remember right one earlier H shaft didn't use a spacer but the bolster or bearing may have differed instead of shaft length. Can't remember for sure.

350 bolster shaft length

jcwag

Member

D Slater

Well-known Member

Similar threads