Steering - Freeplay

equeen · Dec 3, 2014

How much movement of the steering wheel is "proper" before the steering box "kicks into action" on a 40's or 50's Farmall - specifically a SA or 100 and puts some movement on the tie rods?

Maybe my first 50's autos were just worn out; but seems that they had 1/4 to 1/8 steering wheel turn before wheels on ground actually turned. Seems that this was "normal". Remember getting a "tight" front end and took a while to adjust to the fact that any turn of the steering wheel resulted in some turn of the wheel/tires?

I suppose it's a challenge to take out "freeplay" if it's in the steering box on these old tractors?

mkirsch · Dec 3, 2014

Really, no perceivable freeplay is "proper" but unrealistic to expect from a 50+ year old tractor.

Reducing or minimzing it is a challenge judging by the descriptions I've read from some people who have tackled it. Sometimes replacing the bearings and tightening the fit of the sector gear to the pitman (?) shaft will eliminate a good portion of it, but there is also gear-to-gear wear to contend with. The only fix for that is to braize up and recut the gears, or replace with new. Neither way is economical or even possible for the average shadetree mechanic, so you end up living with some slop.

gene bender · Dec 3, 2014

The play starts at the tie rods then work back thru the steering sector. Ive done several but have yet to see too much play in the worm and gear.

equeen · Dec 3, 2014

I've removed the tie rods to replace the worn out ends. All the "slop" or "freeplay" I'm speaking of is in the "steering box".

It is not really of any major concern to me because the rest of the steering system is/will be tight. But, some may not like it.

Didn't know how much to expect, if any. Did suspect that it would be a challenge to "repair".

Thanks all.

khouse6 · Dec 3, 2014

it is quite common on 100, super a, etc. for the steering box to have too much free play. the problem is that the top bearing does not get lubed and it wears out. observe the pitman arm, while someone turns the steering wheel first one way then another, if the pitman arm moves up and down, the upper bearing is shot.

you need a shop and some lifting power to make this repair.

Hendrik · Dec 4, 2014

In addition to what khouse6 says:
While someone turns the steering wheel first one way then another, observe the steering shaft. If it moves lengthwise, the ball bearing at the end of the steering shaft (the end opposite of the steering wheel) is either shot or loose. The ball bearing is behind the big cap with hex head.

BhB · Dec 4, 2014

This must be common with the SA. I have both a super A and an A. I have had the A for forty years and the play hasn't change much, it is used mainly to cut 2 acres of grass. The Super A had over 1/4 turn of play. I found that the key in the steering shaft and the sector gear were worn. I machined both to accept a wider key. It was like new after that, that was about 10 years ago. It is now used to cut about 5 acres of grass and starting to have almost 1/4 turn of play.
Bill

TheDurk · Dec 5, 2014

Don't neglect points outside the box on this. ("Think outside the box" really applies here.) I eliminated a LOT of freeplay on my 1966 140 by just going from steering wheel hub to front wheel hub and tightening everything I could get a wrench on. Things can look and feel tight but they really aren't. The steering wheel, one pitman arm, and one front wheel all needed tightening.

I had been about to service the steering gear and realized I didn't need to. It went from over 1/4 turn to less than 1/8th.

Steering - Freeplay

equeen

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mkirsch

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gene bender

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equeen

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khouse6

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Hendrik

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BhB

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TheDurk

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