Front bolster shaft removal

Ok, I've read through the forums extensively about this. So I guess this is revisiting an old topic. Sorry for that!

I've got it mostly apart, but I'm very leary about mushrooming/damaging the top of the shaft that goes down through the bolster. I put a nut on it and took a couple wacks and wow does that seem to be in there. I know I could remove the bolster assy completely and take it to be pressed out but I'd rather not have to do that if I don't have too. I've read where someone welded a rod onto a nut and hit the rod to drive out the shaft. I'm not worried that I have a big enough hammer to get it out, but at what cost? I don't want to damage it. Is there a "best way" to get this thing out?

I've already got the upper and lower bushings, and all the bearings and a new sector gear. This was to fix a wobbly front wheel(s). Also, the grease stains says it was leaking at where the steering worm shaft goes into the sector gear housing towards the rear. Is there a seal there? I didn't see it in the diagram. Oh, and should the lower bolster (where the wheel spindles are) come off in order to remove the bolster shaft? When replacing the sector gear does the worm steering shaft that mates with it need replacement too? Help appreciated.
Dan in PA

See photos.

Dan,

You will be miles ahead if you remove the lower bolster. Support the tractor at the frame rails and you'll be fine. I've had good luck taking a pry bar through the worm gear shaft opening at the front to remove the sector gear. Be aware that the pivot shaft may fall out on it's own if you're able to remove the gear this way.

You may be able to use a block of wood and a large hammer on the shaft to drive it out.

Yes there is a seal at the worm gear shaft. It is part number 43800DA.

You may not have access to this, but I've had great luck driving out the bushing at the worm gear shaft with a piece of 1" copper. A length of 1 1/4" will work for the upper bushing on the pivot shaft. They are the perfect size for both..just small enough to fit into the opening. Take your time removing and installing the seal and bushing on the pivot shaft. It takes some thinking and you may have to come up with a special driver to reinstall the seal on the pivot shaft. Some of the guys here have posted some good examples in the past you may run across.

Good luck and come back with any questions.

I may be able to get to it tomorrow. Is the sector gear the only thing holding up the whole shaft? That would surprise me that that gear would hold on that tightly.

Does the steering shaft wear out like the sector gear? does that need replacing too? I checked the free play before disassembly with the front wheels off the ground, and the play is between the sector gear and the worm. 1/4 steering wheel turn before effect. Don't care about that, but the front wheels wobbled on road gear something bad.

It will help a lot by just replacing the sector gear, but it will only be that much better if you replace both the gear and the worm gear shaft.

There should be a nut on top of the sector gear. I couldn't tell by your pictures if it had been removed. The splines on the gear and the shaft are tapered so it might take a little work getting it off.

You can also tighten up the steering my checking the worm gear shaft in the housing by the gages. A machine shop can build up the shaft and have bushings installed in the housing if needed. The U-joint shoulnd't have any play. You may have luck finding a new/used rear shaft with a tight joint or that one can be cut off and replaced. Same thing goes on that shaft where it passes through the steering post. You don't want a lot of play there.

Another thing that will affect the wheels wobbling is the tires. You need a matched set and make sure they have equal air pressure.

Some tractors had an aftermarket "wedge" installed between the lower bolster and where it bolted to the pivot shaft. This adjusted the angle of the lower bolster making it more vertical. This change makes the tractor easier to steer but I'm told you do sacrifice in that it may make the front it wobble.

just did mine on a super h. i removed the wheels and lower end, and supported the tractor on the frame. i unloosened the big nut about half way and wacked it with a big hammer. it popped on the third wack.

I hit it a couple times, and it almost immediately made the nut not hand threadable. I thought I was gonna get at it today, but work ran late. Tomorrow is probably a wash too. I'll update to my findings.

Tires are a match. With front end jacked up, when I turn the wheel, the front wheel assy goes side to side several degrees. With the sector gear cover off, you can see that the worm moves quite a bit before engaging the sector. Soooo where to get a worm shaft? Is it something that can be remachined or ...probably not worth it...right? Gonna look aftermarket tonight.