TE20 Steering Arm

Hardpan · May 24, 2020

My newly acquired TE20 right steering arm is seeping a fairly steady flow of what looks like a lightweight oil from the steering box. The side of the box and lower housing are covered in this clean light oil. The left side is OK. I have a reproduction of the factory shop manual but the illustration leaves a great deal to be desired and it looks to me that the darn steering box has to be removed to replace the packing/bearing. Is there a simple fix for this problem or does the steering box really have to come off and the arm pressed out?

Tom H. · May 24, 2020

The simple fix, which I have used, is grind off the tab that is on the shoulder so you can pull off the old seal and replace with a new one. Otherwise you have to pull the entire assembly out, pull out the guts so you can then remove the shoulder, put in the new seal, rebuild it and then put it all together again. If you are not looking for a perfect restoration this can be an easy fix. I believe the seals are on the parts page here. Otherwise search

195761m1 and you should find it.

Tom

Steve@Advance · May 24, 2020

Replacing the seals is a real pain.

There is a shortcut though.

It involves carefully rounding the top of the steering arm off with a 4" grinder and a flap disc. The arm can be ground off so the old seal can be dug out, the new seal slid up and around the corner and tapped into the seal bore.

But, if the gear has oil in it, you're fighting a loosing battle.

Something to try, replace the drain plug with a grease fitting, remove the top fill plug.

Get a couple tubes of grade 0 grease, pump it in the bottom until it comes out the top.

Grade 0 grease is a simi-fluid grease. It's hopefully thick enough not to leak (too bad), but thin enough not to channel away from the gears.

Bruce(OR) · May 24, 2020

I used the John Deere NGLI rated 00 grease. Also called "Corn head" grease. I mixed mine with 90W oil in a zip lock bag, cut off corner and squeeze it in. You might also consider adding a grease fitting to the top steering shaft bearing collar and give it a shot of grease to keep it going, unless it's already shot from a lack of lube...
90W was the original fill.

Hardpan · May 25, 2020

Just as I suspected, a "restoration fix" is a major operation. This is a rescue operation and the simple fix looks most appropriate. Sure do appreciate the advice. Someone once told me that the Ferguson was nothing but a rebadged 2N. I've done quite a few N's and I now know the truth. Thanks again. I'll be back.

TE20 Steering Arm

Hardpan

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Tom H.

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Steve@Advance

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Bruce(OR)

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Hardpan

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