Farmall H Bolster End Play

David G · Feb 15, 2009

I have rebuilt the upper bolster on a farmall H. It seems to have a lot of end play. Does anyone know what the correct endplay is, and if adding thrust washers is acceptable.

Bob M · Feb 15, 2009

David - If you are talking about vertical play in the bolster pivot shaft I don't know how much is "correct". However on both my tractors (Super H and Super M) the bolsters drop between 1/4" and 1/2" when the front end is jacked.

Both tractors steer fine. So I presume this amount play is "normal".

r4etired · Feb 15, 2009

Normally as the thrust bearing wears the gear at the top of the bolster raises. The further up it goes the further it separates from the worm gear causing eccesive end play.Sometimes a washer placed on the top of the thrust bearing will remedy the problem. I have found that the 400-450's were bad for this,

Theman · Feb 16, 2009

Spacer washers work well. Ten to twenty thousandths would be good. The bolster shaft on my '51 H has 15 thousandths of end play and works well. If you have access to a dial indicator on a magnetic base, you can measure the distance easily. With the sector gear tight on the tapered spline, measure the vertiacl distance the shaft travels until it runs up to the thrust bearing. Subtract 10 to 15 thousandths from this number and that is how thick to make your spacer. If the spacer is too thick, you lock up the shaft, too thin and the shaft hammers going over rough ground. Put your spacer between the thrust bearing and the contoured washer that mates with the shaft fillet.

Farmall H Bolster End Play

David G

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Bob M

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r4etired

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Theman

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