Wheel wobble

I have a early model MF 135 with A Perkins Diesel. It has manual steering. The right front wheel has a lot of play. The play is in the steering box. When I turn the wheel there is a lot of play in the right wheel but the left side is tight and responds perfect. I have looked it over close and am unsure about a game plan. Can this be adjusted or am I looking at a major overhaul of the steering box? Thanks so much for and advise!!

Hi,
Normally when you have a 'shimmy' in the front wheels it will be down to wear on the rocker shafts 17 and 52 in the picture. The meshing gear teeth wear and allow the movement. Jack up the front slightly to remove some weight from the wheels. It should now be easier to see how much play there is between the drop arms that are attached to the rocker shafts. Whilst you have the tractor jacked up check the condition of the front axle pivot pin and bush. These can alter the steering geometry if badly worn. Overhaul of the steering box is a bigg-ish job but should not be too expensive. All parts that you may need will be available from non-genuine sources. You will need a good puller to remove the drop arms and of course a good workshop manual. Be prepared to cut the steering wheel off. They can be extremely tight and it is far quicker to carefully cut the wheel hub with something like a four inch angle grinder rather than risk damaging the steering column by using force. Check all ball joints and condition of the king-pin thrust bearings especially if there is a gap between the upper steering arm and top of each axle side.
DavidP, South Wales

Thanks for your reply DavidP! Is it unusual that only one side is affected? The problem is clearly in the steering box. When the tractor is rolling it is easy to see the drop arm on the right side moving back and fourth. Also when I turn the wheel the arm on the left side responds imediately as the right side is not so responsive. Should I plan on replacing both rocker shafts or should I be ok replacing only one?

You might also have this U.S. version of steering box, fitted to the tractor.
Principle is the same though, play between the worm and the sector gears. Although with these, I believe the "play" can be removed or decreased, by adjusting the screws no. 38, to attain minimal clearance between the worm gear and either sector gear.
Hope this helps,
Evan.

you can adjust some play out of the steering unit.

when i adjusted my tractor steerbox i jacked the front end off the ground so you can feel the steering gears as they mesh together.

Note: older tractors will have worn gears where the front tires are pointed straight and almost new teeth where the front tires are at full turn. Simple: tractor is run most of the time with front wheels pointed straight to the front.

if you get the gears adjusted tight when front wheels are pointed straight, when you turn the wheel you can bust the gears as they will be too tight at full turn.

so you have to adjust gears as tight as you feel comfort with at full turn and then let the chips fall when wheels are straight.
adjusting procedure should be in your manual.

many times older tractors will have front wheel wobble on the paved road in roadgear.
solutions i have found for this (old tires) slight tow out, but later put new tires on the tractor and was able to set tow properly with no wheel wobble.

be careful and do not bust your steering gears.
big bucks!!!!

if you have gear wear some folks use corn head grease for lube in the manual steering boxes.
great lube for old worn gearboxes of all kinds.

Hi,
It is essential that both are replaced. Replacing one will wear it out fairly quickly. The gear teeth should mate fully. If you can remove the LH cover from the box after removing the drop arm you should see where the play is. All you will commit to will be a paper gasket in the first instance which you can make and a pint or so of EP90. Its worth a look. Check for looseness between the recirculating nut and the peg in the rocker shaft fork. There are shims under the peg which you can take out by undoing the two 1/4unf screws and tab. Ensure that it is not tight when refitted. Don't allow the recirc nut to drop off the column.
DavidP

I went to my local Massey dealer and they had a gasket! I am still not absolutely clear about a couple things.

1. If needed can I change the the shims and or the rocker shafts through the cover without disasembling the entire assembly.

I jacked the front up and the left side responds and feels perfect. The right has about 1/2-3/4 inch movement at the tip of the drop arm in all steering positions.

I hope it is only a shim!!

Thanks to you guys for the help! People are very fortunate to have experts like you on this site!!
Allen.