Farmall A steering gear

Anonymous-0 · Feb 25, 2011

I have two friends that each have a farmall A. Both have a fair amoount of play in the steering gear, more than 1/2 turn of the wheel. I see no adjustment, it looks like when something wears out or fails you replace it all? Can anyone tell me how bad they can get before failure? I mostly am an AC guy but am trying to help out these friends who are not so much into the mechanics of tractors as I am. TThanks, Tom

Vern · Feb 25, 2011

The A"s are notorious for having loose steering.
The arm that fastens to the sector shaft below the steering box is probably loose. There are 2 different designs, a square shaft with a cinch bolt in the arm & a tapered shaft with a key & nut on the end of the shaft.
It either case something needs tightening.

Vern

Jg20601 · Feb 25, 2011

I agree with Vern. First check and make sure you st dont have someting loose. I have used Super As and they all had play in te steering.
My uncles Super A, after 62 years and countless hours of cultivating finally would not turn right. The last year he used it sometimes turning right the steering wheel would turn without moving the front wheels. By the end of the season it would only turn left. We were planning to take the steering box apart to see what had worn out or broke, and either order parts or an entire used front axle/steering assembly.

gene bender · Feb 26, 2011

Simple fix just start at the wheel itself and find out where the play is coming from. Lots of things can be loose like worn keys and so forth. Replacing the seals helps so the gears can get lubed. The tractor is 60 pluss yrs old and needs some rebuilding.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 26, 2011

Thanks for the ideas, i will check them out, but I think the play is in the gears. One tractor has a loader on it and has for a long time although it is used mainly for snow plowing, (plow on loader). Thanks, Tom

Enar · Feb 26, 2011

I have a 1939 A and the steering is plenty loose. I have had the whole steering box apart and have not been able to find anything "loose." I've tightened the "ball joints" on the tie rods, tightened the nut on the end of the shaft. Inspected the steering gear on the shaft and the mating gears in the box. New seals. All fine. I put it back together and haven't noticed any improvement. If anyone comes up with a cure, please let me know also.

Farmall A steering gear

Anonymous-0

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Vern

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Jg20601

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gene bender

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Anonymous-0

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Enar

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