Damaged Steering Box

Early 1949 8N. 12 volt. Front Mount Distributor.

How do I proceed from here.

I assume the first thing I do is take the left side of the steering box off and inspect for damage.

If I had the money this would be a great time to upgrade to a later model steering box. But I don't know if I can afford to fix this right now. And I really need my tractor for mowing.

Any help or advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Pooh Bear

The NOS steering box I found is $100+shipping. Still in the factory box. But I wonder what kind of condition it is in after sitting on a shelf for 50 years.

I think I'm gonna have to get this one for now and save up to get a new one from you. But I have to get my 8N back in service ASAP. And my wife said we couldn't afford it right now. I'm still gonna talk to her some more about it.

Thanks.

Pooh Bear

About an inch from the gear, the shaft snapped clean in half. All the teeth are in fine shape. The box was plum full of thick gooey grease.

The gear has one big tooth and 8 little teeth.

So how do I fix this.

Thanks. Pooh Bear

Does that whole break look fresh?!?!

Yall took a lickin didn't you!! Glad you are still tickin'!! I had a right spindle break off one time, she just went 3 legged while we were plowing in 1st gear in soft dirt.

Messicks shows it avalible 3 to 5 days.

You are not going to like this...

New Holland 8N3526A SHAFT 3-5 days 364.41

• Messicks

The one above is right side.

Here is left, go figure...

New Holland 8N3527A SHAFT 3-5 days 268.66

Don't know what's more incredible. The fact that you actually found the part I need, or the cost of that part.

Thanks.

Pooh Bear

Christopher Robin and I walked along
Under branches lit up by the moon
Posing our questions to Owl and Eeyore
As our days disappeared all too soon
But I've wandered much further today than I should
And I can't seem to find my way back to the Wood

Dan

Left ADJUSTMENT stud is forward sector gear.. which is right sector arm on the late boxes.

Still same advice.. jack up front end and see if that shaft is spinning inthe arm.. or the arm not moving.. if the arm aint moving then i agree.. either front teeth broke on the rear shaft. .or rear teeth broke onthe front shaft.

Iffn't it were me.. and the shaft was broke.. i'd swap in a new box or a repro box new that I've seen for sale around. If geting a used box swap.. get a late one.. easier to adjust..

Soundguy

If you will look at your manual, I&T fo-4 or a ford shop manual.. you will see that the steering worm gear drives the forward sector gear.. the forward sector gear has teeth on back that drive the rear sector gear.

If I remember correctly.. the forward gear is the left one. ( or at least i remember it to be.. and again.. that is on a late box.. not sure if early box is same.. but think it is ) if that is so.. and your right wheel turns.. then the sectors are turning. that leaves the splines on the steering arm that is on the sector shaft that exits the steering box.. either the male splines onthe shaft stripped ( less likely ).. or the fem splines on the steering arm stripped.. ( more likely in my mind ). if that is so.. a new arm would fix you up.. course you might also be able to creatively farm-aid fix it if push came to shove ( weld up and recut threads with a file ). It's a hard job.. but I've done it in other applications where I had more time and welding rods than money..

Turn that steering wheel with the front jacked up and see if that sector shaft don't turn inside the socket of that steering arm.

Post back. i can't remember for sure.. but I'm thinking the left sector arm is the forward one..

Soundguy

Hope this is something simple and cheap to fix.
But that's not been my week so far.

Thanks.

Pooh Bear

So, lets say I remove the steering arm from the shaft, and then remove the 4 bolts holding that plate on there and remove the plate. What can I expect to happen. Is oil going to pour out everywhere. I'm I gonna lose any little ball bearings or such. What could go wrong at this point.

I looked up a new steering box on this site. $450 - OUCH!! And it was for the later models. Is that the one I need if I can't find a good used one. Or should I rebuild this one.

Thanks.

Pooh Bear

• YT Mag Steering Parts

I'll email ya.

Soundguy

And I could turn the sector shaft round and round by hand. Definitely not good.

Pooh Bear

Soundguy