steering

Robb-PA · Jul 19, 2020

FORD 4000 (aprx 1967) 3 cylinder diesel Manual steering Steering has been getting harder and harder to steer, was mowing yesterday and all of a sudden steering wheel turns freely (like just spins) and wheels do not turn (had to bring it back to garage using brakes as the steering) Before I start tearing apart does this sound like I have to replace the whole steering gear box?
Thank you in advance for any help.

Bret4207 · Jul 19, 2020

No, you don't need to replace the steering box. You lost a bearing in the steering box. There are kits available to fix the problem. Get a manual for the outline on how to do it. In essence, you pull it apart, replace the bearings and then set the sector lash so there is little freeplay. Not a terrible job.

Robb-PA · Jul 19, 2020

Do I have to pull the whole steering gear box to do this?

john in la · Jul 19, 2020

You can rebuild your box or replace as a unit.
Your finances and skill level will decide what route to take.

If the steering wheel rises when you turn left you have lost the shaft top bearing.
You will need to rebuild the steering box with new bearings.
This is a simple rebuild that can save money over buying a new box.

If the steering wheel turns freely in both directions and the steering wheel does not move up and down you have lost the little bearing balls that convert the shaft rotating into the sector ball going up and down.

Finding parts to rebuild this ball can be a bear.
Most just replace the entire shaft because it is readily available.
The problem is it is expensive especially since you need to replace all the other bearings and seals in the box.
If you shop around you can find complete steering boxes for just a few dollars more and then it becomes a replace whole box job.

David G · Jul 19, 2020

Wow, for that price I would replace.

Steve@Advance · Jul 19, 2020

I would.

Take it off, open it up, see what you have to work with.

Be careful handling the shaft/gear assembly. If you let it, the gear will spin off the end and release the balls. They can be put back in, but it's a real pain.

If it's repairable, everything will need to come apart and be cleaned up to get the metal filings out.

Going to be hard to beat the price of a new one, but the new one is aftermarket, maybe OK, but there is a chance it won't be the same quality as the original.

NIK OWEN · Jul 19, 2020

ALEXANDERSTRACTORPARTS.COM...BE BLESSED, GRATEFUL, PREPARED...

Bret4207 · Jul 20, 2020

$271 plus shipping and tearing the tractor apart vs $20-50 for the bearings (depends on steering system) and tearing the tractor apart.

steering

Robb-PA

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Bret4207

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Robb-PA

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john in la

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David G

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Steve@Advance

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NIK OWEN

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Bret4207

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