Farmall A steering

redFarmallboy · Nov 17, 2009

The steering on my Farmall A is very loose. Can these gears be replaced or do I need a whole new Gearbox. Where can I find these?

Vern · Nov 17, 2009

Before you buy anything check under the box where the shaft comes out. There is an arm that fastens to that tapered round shaft by either a key & nut or an arm with a clamping arrangement where it fits around the square shaft.

If the shaft has a nut on the bottom end then there is a key in the tapered shaft that is probably worn out.

If there is a square shaft then you need to tighten the clamping bolt. (This is not easy)

Let us know what you have & then we can help you.

Vern

TheDurk · Nov 18, 2009

Do what Vern said, and then check everything for tightness all the way out to the lug bolts and up to the steering wheel, too. I was able to cut my loose play from over a third to way less than a quarter turn and never went inside the box. It just FELT like the box was loose.

Brownie 450 · Nov 18, 2009

We have the square shaft with bolt thing on ours. I had to use a hacksaw to take out 1/4 inch of the arm where the bolt clamps tight. Took all the looseness out of the steering. Different story if it's not the square shaft.

gene bender · Nov 18, 2009

I have rebuilt several . You need to jack the front up so the wheels are free. Starting with the tie rods which can be repaired then to the draglink where it fastens to the out=put shaft. Mite need to replace the bolt that tightens the drag link to the shaft. Then the gearbox itself there are bushings in the shaft bearings and a key. The gear and worm is probably fine just a little play here and there it all adds up.When you turn the wheels does the steering shaft move end-ways that means the bearing on the end of the steering shaft is bad and can be replaced by removing the large nut on the end of the steering sector. Use a sealant on the threads when replacing before filling with 90wt. If you find play in the tie-rod ends the balls on the end ,ay be worn egg-shaped. I use a disc sander and with a calipers ground them so they are round again not hard to do. Keep posted to what you find.

Haas · Nov 18, 2009

The gears are probably not the main cause of the steering play. The steering shaft and worm gear are all one piece, so replacement is very expensise. Replacement worm wheel is available, but you probably don"t need it. If you take the slack out of the tie rods, and get all the bearings and bushings in the gear box renewed, likely your steering will be satisfactory. First investigate the bearing on the steering shaft that is behind the big nut/plug on the front of the steering box. If you can move the steering wheel in and out along the direction of the shaft, there is a problem with the bearing or the bearing is not properly clamped in place with the plug or the castle nut on the end of the shaft. Also investigate where the center steering arm attaches to the shaft out the bottom of the steering box. You may have to take off the front axle to get to the nut to tighten it and take the play out.

redFarmallboy · Nov 18, 2009

I think I have the kind with the key and nut. The front arm that attatches to the short shaft on the bottom of the box moves slowly up and down without turning from side to side for the first half-turn of the wheel. Does this sound like the problem?

Vern · Nov 18, 2009

I don"t know anything about those as mine has the square shaft. If the shaft is moving up & down it sounds like there is a bearing problem in the box. To open the box you need to remove the front axle assy. & then go from there.
Do you have any manuals? If not they can be bought from Yesterdays Tractors. I suggest Binders Books over Jensales.

Vern

Farmall A steering

redFarmallboy

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Vern

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TheDurk

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Brownie 450

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gene bender

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Haas

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redFarmallboy

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Vern

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