Farmall A steering lash adjustement

Tom Fleming · Mar 3, 2009

I need to adjust the lash on the steering gears on a Farmall A to take up the play in the steering. I have searched back quite a few pages to see if there has been a previous post, but cannot find one (doesn't mean there isn't one.....just can't find one)

Anyone wish to post how to do that, or point me in the right direction where that would be found (service manual, owners manual, etc)?

Hugh MacKay · Mar 3, 2009

Tom: If there is end to end movement on steering shaft, you have a bearing problem. If the shaft is tight turns smooth I wouldn't touch it.

The most common problem I find with these is on the vertical shaft, both inside and outside steering box. The gear inside is keyed to shaft via a woodruff key. Outside the steering control arm is either keyed to tapered shaft, or shaft is square and tapered with like steering control arm. Looseness on that vertical shaft can quite easily give 1.5 turns free travel on steering wheel.

To fix the entire front axle then bottom of steering box must be removed.

Tom Fleming · Mar 3, 2009

Thanks Hugh. I have about a 1/2 turn on the steering wheel before the front wheels turn.

So, do I have to remove the steering bolster to repair, or can I do this in place. I am used to working on row-crops, and I have not tackled one of these.......

Hugh MacKay · Mar 3, 2009

Tom: I've always done these right on the tractor. I block the tractor well under the clutch housing, with front wheels about 1/4" off floor. Choke rear wheels well. This front end is rather ackward, thus I remove tyrods at steering control arm. Unclamp left axle at telescope wheel tread setting and remove entire left wheel assembly in one piece. The remove front axle pivot pin and take right assembly complete with center tube to the right.

You can then remove bottom half of steering box in unison with steering control arm. You can remove the radiator then front bolster, however I find that bolster with steering shaft is damn ackward to handle on a bench. It's your call on removing bolster, however I can tell you the shaft can be removed quite easily, with bolster still on tractor.

BhB · Mar 3, 2009

I have found that the keyway in the steering shaft, the key on the steering shaft and the keyway in the gear become worn. I don"t know if you can buy the gear and the shaft. I have cut the keyways in both gear and shaft larger and used a larger key. I have an A and never had a problem and also a Super A which had almost a full turn in the steering wheel, I repaired it as I described. Both tractors are used to cut grass mostly.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 3, 2009

What about on a cub? I haven't tackled mine yet but I see there are two bushings in there. I was assuming they are worn and planned on looking at it next week. Is it the same as the A?

Haas · Mar 3, 2009

Cub is similar to the A, but it has bushings and thrust washers instead of ball bearings like the A. IH made the Cub as cheap as possible. I've found that the problem on these steering boxes is not usually worn gears, but rather worn bearings or loose keyways, etc. On the cub, there is a brass thrust washer on the bottom of the steering box. You adjust the up down play in the main shaft with a big castle nut. You have to adjust the in out play of the steering wheel shaft by using shim washers. If you find the gears are worn, the cub has a full circle gear that is on splines, so you can take it off and turn in 90 degrees to get new teeth where it counts.

TheDurk · Mar 3, 2009

I would also humbly suggest you be absolutely sure you have firmed up everything between the tires and the steering box before you open up the latter--hubs/wheel bearings, wheel arms, ties, and the nut on the vertical shaft,etc. I went from 3/4 turn of play to less than a quarter on my 140 because somebody gave me the advice above--and I never had to open the steering which I was all ready to do. They may look/feel tight but take a wrench to everything anyway; you may be pleasantly surprised at the results.

Tom Fleming · Mar 3, 2009

Hugh, and all others that have responded. Thanks so much. I appreciate all the help, and will try tightening everything first. If that doesn't fix it, then I will go further into the stearing box.

I really do appreciate the help. May not get to this for a few weeks, but I will post results after I tinker with her a bit.

Farmall A steering lash adjustement

Tom Fleming

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Hugh MacKay

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Tom Fleming

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Hugh MacKay

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BhB

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Anonymous-0

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Haas

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TheDurk

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Tom Fleming

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