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Steering wheel play

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Phil-Maine

08-01-2001 06:03:31




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I have a 8N which has about 3+ inch play in the the steering wheel before the arms move. What is the most likely cause and what needs to be done. I have not taken the gear box apart yet. I would appreciate your experience.

Phil




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Jimbo 8n/9n

08-01-2001 17:30:30




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 Re: Steering wheel play in reply to Phil-Maine, 08-01-2001 06:03:31  
Phil, I had a serious steering problem on my 8n/9n. I live in Conway, N.H. (right on the Me/NH border) and I'm not too mechnically inclined so I contacted a great guy in Stow, Maine who took my whole steering out and is in the process of replacing it with new. I know he has a shop in Portland too. His prices were very reasonable. If you can't figure it out lickety split, or would like to have his name/number for future reference please send me an e-mail and I'll send you his number.

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Mountainman

08-01-2001 12:29:12




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 Re: Steering wheel play in reply to Phil-Maine, 08-01-2001 06:03:31  
The early 8N steering is adjustable by shims and eccentrics, but by the time most folks think about adjustment, it's time to remove the box from the tractor and replace the upper and lower shaft bearings (using the proper # of shims) and THEN adjust the eccentrics. If it's really worn, you may have to replace the bushings for the sector shafts.
In addition to following Claus' troubleshooting advice, try lifting up on the steering shaft. If you can lift it much that's a sign of worn out shaft bearings.
I recommend grease to replace the gear oil that has long since leaked out likely causing the wear problem in the first place. Replace the fill plug with a zerk fitting and add some grease occasionally too.

N — joy.

Mountainman (CA)

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Claus

08-01-2001 13:36:28




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 Re: Re: Steering wheel play in reply to Mountainman , 08-01-2001 12:29:12  
If you can lift the shaft, you have big problems. The gear engagement to the front sector will keep the shaft from lifting even when the thrust bearings are worn or unserviceable. The test for worn thrust bearings as I stated, is to turn the wheel to the left and then to the right. Now one looks to see if the shaft moves up or down. shaft play should not exceed .010".
Happy Motoring
Claus

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Mountainman

08-01-2001 23:03:43




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 Re: Re: Re: Steering wheel play in reply to Claus, 08-01-2001 13:36:28  
You're right Claus — I somehow didn't read your last sentence — I must have been tired.
Still, if you attempt to lift up on the steering wheel and can feel the play (if you can see it, like you said "you are in big trouble") I'd say it's time for bearings (and races).

N — joy.

Mountainman (CA)



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Claus

08-01-2001 06:44:54




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 Re: Steering wheel play in reply to Phil-Maine, 08-01-2001 06:03:31  
The first thing to do when you have play in the steering wheel is to determine how much is due to front end mechanical parts and how much is due to the steering box. There are 2 different steering boxes on the 8N. The early uses a differnt adjustment on the sector gears than the later model. The later model has the tapered sector gears and is adjustable by turning the screws on the outside. The earlier version has the eccentric sector housing that one turns to move the sector gear closer. The down side of this is that as the front sector moves closer to the steering rack gear, it also moves it further away from the back sector gear. After some wear you could find that the rear sector after being all the way forward you run out of adjustment. Anyhow, first determine if the other parts are ok. Look at the sector arms to see if they move when you move the wheel. You can determine in this fashion if the ball joints on the tie rods are in good shape. If you have considerable movement on the sector arms and not the spindle steering arms, then most likely you have problems with the tie rods. If you move the wheel considerably before the sector arms move, then the problem is in the steering box. One common problem is the thrust bearings, especially the top (due to lack of lubrication) wear out. This causes the rack gear to move up and down instead of moving the front sector. This can be confirmed it the steering shaft moves up and down when turning the wheel. This usually eliminates 75% of the problems. Happy Motoring
Claus

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lc

08-01-2001 16:14:21




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 Re: Re: Steering wheel play in reply to Claus, 08-01-2001 06:44:54  
Wondering if the 9n has the same gearbox construction. Also, is the sector one piece from left to right pitmans? The shaft tolerance you're telling at .010" is on an end of the sector, moving front to back or up and down, right? Not left to right. Still haven't conquered that
"lateral" and "radial" stuff yet.



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Claus

08-01-2001 17:25:11




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 Re: Re: Re: Steering wheel play in reply to lc, 08-01-2001 16:14:21  
No, the 2N/9N gearbox is a completely different animal. The bottom end of the shaft has a pinion gear that engages the left and right sectors. The pitman arm and the sector gear is one piece if I understand your question correctly. The shaft tolerance I quoted is in the up and down mode. This tolerance is for the 8N and the adjustment of the 2N/9N is completely different. I suggest you obtain the FO-4 Manual. This manual has much valuable information including a detailed adjustment for the steering. That goes for the 8N as well, I just forgot to add this to the previous post.
Happy Motoring
Claus

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