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Harry Ferguson Tractors Discussion Forum
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Hard steering TO-30

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Grub0927

04-22-2005 11:16:09




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I recently purchased a TO-30 w/ a Dearborn loader on it and this bugger steers hard. Where to start? The steering box seals leak, the ball joints on the steering arms are shot, the front axle is bowed from the loader work and it has auto tires on the front. I've greased and lubed as best I can. As I replace parts where is my money best spent? What should I fix first? Other than that, I tuned it up and it runs fine.
Thanks for your help.

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Grub0927

04-25-2005 15:35:09




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 Re: Hard steering TO-30 in reply to Grub0927, 04-22-2005 11:16:09  
Thanks for all your comments. Sounds like I need to jack it up and found out what"s tight and loose. I am going to take the loader off when I start mowing, if it ever stops raining! I"ll let you know what I find.



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Spider NWOH

04-23-2005 07:57:46




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 Re: Hard steering TO-30 in reply to Grub0927, 04-22-2005 11:16:09  
As one reply said ,Jack up front and turn stearing full right and left . If it is free stop to stop. I would GET RID of those car tires,and go to three rib orig eqpt type. Also counter weight on back to equal front bucket weight. This will help. The more the stearing parts are worn the more friction is put on every part.
If the stearing IS binding,and tight with the front off the ground,look for a nearly frozen tie rod , spindle pin (not likely) or a rusty stearing gear box upper shaft bad bearing due to water seepage under the stearing wheel. I found this problim on a T0-20 whear water rusted the stearing column bearings so bad they bearly would turn. The stearing gear box is another place water can damage bearings even to the point of cracking the cast housing, when the water freezes. Good luck.

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John(UK)

04-23-2005 05:08:30




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 Re: Hard steering TO-30 in reply to Grub0927, 04-22-2005 11:16:09  
Check the front axle pin and bush as no doubt it is worn and will need replacing, if the radius rods are bent thats is due to worn axle pin and it will also make it very hard to steer as it changes the Castor angle.



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phil(va)

04-22-2005 15:57:27




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 Re: Hard steering TO-30 in reply to Grub0927, 04-22-2005 11:16:09  
You didn't say you took the loader off! Is the loader still on it? If so, it is going to steer very hard no matter what you do. Putting extra air in the front tires does help, and a heavy implement on the back helps also. If you have the loader off, then that's a different question, and as the other post said you need to raise the front end and evaluate each place where you may be getting resistence.

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Ray from Idaho

04-22-2005 12:42:13




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 Re: Hard steering TO-30 in reply to Grub0927, 04-22-2005 11:16:09  
The first thing I would do is to jack up the front end and see if anything is binding with no weight on the tires. Another thing is the tires. A friend of mine had car tires on his tractor and when he put on tractor tires, he said it was almost like putting on power steering.



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Ray,IN

04-22-2005 20:36:29




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 Re: Hard steering TO-30 in reply to Ray from Idaho, 04-22-2005 12:42:13  
I second this procedure. Most old tractors were not made to withstand the weight and stress of anything more than using the loader to move manure. You may find that most of the steering parts need replaced. The steering box, and spindle bushings are the most likely to cause hard steering. The front axle bowed down is a sure sign of long term abuse, and this alone may cause hard steering by destroying the steering geometry.

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clearfield

04-23-2005 18:41:19




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 Re: Hard steering TO-30 in reply to Ray,IN, 04-22-2005 20:36:29  
I have a 1952 8N it has a wagner front loader if the front tires are properly inflated the tractor steers relatively easy a bit harder when bucket is full about a year ago this tractor started to steer really hard it came on all of a sudden could not understand why, jacked the front end up and everything seemed fine added more air press did not help, tractor was a bear to drive One day i ask a friend of mine a old tractor man to test drive and see if he could tell me why steering was so hard he drove it for about 15 feet and he jumped off and informed me that the rear end is out and he said pull the akles off and you will see the spider gears are torn up sure enough pulled the old girl apart and the spiders were chewed up and binding inside the ring gear I was lucky there was not any damage to the ring and the pinon but the center gear and the side spiders along with the side bearing were damaged replaced them and it steers like it has power steering if you can't find anything with the front end take a close look at the rear end
clearfield

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Leroy

04-24-2005 05:39:12




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 Re: Hard steering TO-30 in reply to clearfield, 04-23-2005 18:41:19  
If those spyder gears go you can't turn for anything, it is like putting a differental lock on and when you try to turn it will just want to slide the front wheels sideways, also check and probably replace the thrust bearings at the bottom of the front spindals as they will probably be toast and those bearings carry the hole load of tractor and loader and if they are not perfect they will not roll and will want to slide and under weight and if dry of grease (Probably) will not move. Drop the spindals first and check those bearings and while you have it jacked up to replace the thrust bearing it will be ready to replace that bent (Probably cracked) front axle before you take out the entire front end, radiator, water pump, hood and you will find you are driving a different tractor and you should be able to find a used center part of axle

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