Ford 3000 tractor steering problem

Aussie Bob

New User
I have a Ford 3000 tractor with power steering. When I turn while reversing the left side front wheel turns at right angles to the tractor and is facing a different direction to the right side. I thought that the woodruf key may have been broken or worn, but a check shows that this is ok. Any advice appreciated.
Thanks, Bob
 
The woodruff key slot might be stripped on the spindle. Did you remove the steering arm to look at it? Some people weld them in place when thet get stripped. You might want to replace the bushings and thrust bearing before welding it up.
 
No I took it apart and checked the key. It only happens when I reverse, and only on the left side. I can sometimes straighten the wheel by driving forward, but if it is turned right around at right angles to the tractor I have to lift the front of the tractor off the ground using the front end loader, then get down and straighten the wheel by hand.
 
(quoted from post at 23:11:18 03/05/19) No I took it apart and checked the key. It only happens when I reverse, and only on the left side. I can sometimes straighten the wheel by driving forward, but if it is turned right around at right angles to the tractor I have to lift the front of the tractor off the ground using the front end loader, then get down and straighten the wheel by hand.
mvphoto32460.jpg


mvphoto32461.jpg


mvphoto32462.jpg
 
:? Managed to somehow post 2 images of the left hand side and on of the right. The wheels are preety much straight ahead when the photos were taken, but the arms from the spindle to the ball joint seem in different positions?
 
(quoted from post at 06:37:09 03/06/19) If the keys and slots are not worn, it looks like you may have two right side spindles installed.

Thanks, but no, the key or slot isn't worn. I took it apart and had a look. I also drew a line across the middle of the left hand spindle and surrounding casing with a texta (you can just see it on the left hand spindle in the photo). There is no movement of the spindle relative to its surrounding casing when the problem occurs. Is there any way of telling by examining the spindle on the left hand side if it is a right hand spindle?
 
Someone’s replace the tie-rod end on the left tie-rod making the left tie-rod much shorter. Until you put the correct end on it to get it to the same length it will not function properly.

-Scott
 
It appears the keyways are at the back side of the spindles. If a right side spindle was installed on the left side, the keyway would be at the front. There is something seriously wrong with the steering geometry on the left side of that tractor. The arms on the top of the spindles should by basically in line with the axles when the wheels are pointed straight ahead. That is the case on the right side but not the left. I wonder if the left spindle could be twisted that many degrees from top to bottom.
 
Now that I see the pictures I have to ask if the sector gear for that side is out of time? Or could the drag links be reversed, they're different lengths. The bend in the drag link is not enough to cause your problem.
 
Spindle must be broken or badly twisted. If it twisted that much, it must be at the breaking point. Otherwise you could cut a new keyway.
 
They’ve also done something to change the angle on the spindle arm. Here’s a pic of my 3000 before I put the 3400 axle on it.

mvphoto32492.jpg


-Scott
 
Thanks for the advice folks, I checked the lugs and they are there, and they should stop the wheel turning too far. Maybee there is slop in the bearing and the lugs are being ridden over? I could not see any evidence of that. There was dirt on the lugs and it had not been disturbed. The photo of BigPapa53s steering seems to show an extension to the left tie rod. My tractor has one on the right side but not the left? This might be the problem? However, if I put an extension on the left tie rod so that the steering arm moved forward level with the axle this would mean that the left wheel would be pointing out to the left while the right wheel pointed straight ahead?
 
Bob, your right side tie-rod and my tie-rods are correct and what came on the tractor originally. The one on the left side of your tractor is wrong.

What you’re calling an extension is the adjustment sleeve. It has RH threads in one end and LH threads in the other. The tie-rod has RH threads and the tie-rd end has LH threads so that you can loosen the clamps and turn the sleeve which adjusts the length of the tie-rod in order to adjust the toe.

I’d suspect the end wore out and some one found the tie-rod end that is on your left one that would screw directly on the rod instead of into the sleeve. This made the rod much shorter so they had to modify either the spindle arm or the spindle itself.

Your steering will continue to do what it’s doing now until you get the correct parts so that the rod is the correct length and the spindle arm is at the correct angle.

-Scott
 
Thanks Scott, it looks like that is what the problem is. The arm and spindle does not appear to have been modified, but may be an incorrect part? I don't think that I can just put the adjuster on as moving the steering arm forward to lie along the axle as it does on the right side would mean that the left wheel would be pointing out at an angle of about 30 degrees while the right wheel was straight ahead. I guess if I replace the whole lot on the left hand side that should fix it?

Bob
 
I can’t imagine someone going to the trouble of finding a spindle and/or spindle arm that would work with the wrong tie-rod end instead of just putting the correct end on. They’ve [i:b9008c795d]HAD[/i:b9008c795d] to just modify what’s there somehow.

-Scott
 

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