radiator/steering shaft removal question?

BigTone · Jun 16, 2012

Drain plug will not come out so im going to remove the radiator to get to it better and put on a long drain tube.....

I unscrewed the cap on top of the bolster, loosened the bolt at the u-joint and unscrewed the steering shaft before I realized there is a key-way stopping it from coming out and it seems to be stuck in there.....is this the correct way to remove that shaft and any tricks on getting the keyway out? thanks, Anthony

BigTone · Jun 16, 2012

Sorry guys, its an M....

rustyfarmall · Jun 16, 2012

(quoted from post at 14:27:48 06/16/12) Drain plug will not come out so im going to remove the radiator to get to it better and put on a long drain tube.....

I unscrewed the cap on top of the bolster, loosened the bolt at the u-joint and unscrewed the steering shaft before I realized there is a key-way stopping it from coming out and it seems to be stuck in there.....is this the correct way to remove that shaft and any tricks on getting the keyway out? thanks, Anthony

Usually you can grab that woodruf key with a pair of side cutters and kind of just roll it out. using the tips of the cutter against the shaft for leverage. Sometimes the key is rusted in and then you need to use a punch against one end or the other of that key, smack the punch with a hammer and hopefully it will roll out.

Zachary Hoyt · Jun 16, 2012

I have had good luck popping the key out with a small cold chisel. If there are any burrs or lumps around the keyway you may want to grind them off before sliding the shaft out, it makes it easier.
Zach

SadFarmall · Jun 17, 2012

Many years ago, as an un-necessarily over zealous teenager I wanted to change the steering universal joint on my Farmall M. I did it in the field and all went easily to begin with. I loosened one of the collars at the steeering shaft support and undid the bolt through the universal joint yoke. The shaft pulled out with a little persuasion and the woodruff key popped out, fell down, bounced by a route I still cannot work out onto the frame rail and flew off into the grass. I searched and searched with no success. I then drove to Melbourne to get a new key. When I got back my Dad had found it, reassembled the tractor and was driving it. I still have the spare key in its packet! I asked him how he had found the key and he just grinned and said "Old age and treachery will always defeat youth and enthusiasm". I didn't think it was hugely funny at the time, but we both chuckle about it now.
SadFarmall

radiator/steering shaft removal question?

BigTone

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BigTone

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rustyfarmall

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Zachary Hoyt

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SadFarmall

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