steering box question 641

[kentrx1]

have a binding steering box when turning to right. i pulled steering wheel and noticed that the bearing that is visible in the top of the shaft looks like it is shot. can this be removed and replaced from the top without removing the steering box? when the tractor is jacked up and no weight on front wheels it turns fine. just seems to bind in the shaft with weight. the box is not dry..removed what seems to be a fill nut and oil poured out of it.
 

[awhtx]

Your upper thrust bearing is shot. You can replace it without removing the box from the tractor but you will have to remove the steering wheel and the dash/instrument panel.
The bearing is at the very top of the steering box and if there is any oil leakage through the sector shaft seals the oil level will be below that bearing and it won't last long. Most people replace the oil fill plug with a grease zerk and pump the box full of NLGI 00 grease.
 

[kentrx1]

i am a little confused. the bearing i am looking at is right below the steering wheel in the shaft. the schematic i have makes it look like it is a drive in bearing cup on top of the shaft, but the shaft appears solid to me. how do i remove the bearing? I have the steering wheel removed, the dash loose,(have not disconnected wires is all)and hood and side sheet metal removed. will i need to disassemble the steering box any? thanks for helping this rookie!!
 

[souNdguy]

att he very top of the steering column is a lil drive in centering bushing / bearing. it can be repalced from the top of the column.. but is NOT the source of your binding.

more than likely, as awhtx said. the upper thrust bearing that lives atop the worm section of the steering shaft is bad.

you have to take the whell off, then dash top at a minimum.. then the vred.. the column and a small cast top piece come off the shaft..and the old bearing cage and rollers need to be fished out.. new bearing dropped in assuming worm shaft surface is not galled.. if it is.. polish it up best you can so a roller can walk onit. there is a race int he top of the cast piece.. they usually survive.. but are otherwise replceable.. once the thrust bearing is repalced.. get he cover on.. note tension.. don't want too much preload on the bearings or the lower one will give out .. then again.. upper one may be chinese and may give out too!

lube box.. adjust backlash and test out.

spindle bushing wear will cause hard steering too.

post back for more info.. them boxes are EX to rebuild unless completely worn out
 

[kentrx1]

wouldn't spindle wear cause it to be hard to steer in either direction? this is only hard to turn in one direction...fine in the other. in your reply you said after removing dash top then the "vred". not quite sure what you mean by that. thanks for all the help!
 

[souNdguy]

voltage regulator

the spindle bushing wear would lilkely make it hard to turn in either direction.

my point was if you are doing hte box.. you might as well check all areas int he steering system. no sense in fixing one part to only have an issue with another.. thus address all together..
 

[kentrx1]

thanks for all your help!
 

[kentrx1]

do you have to cut the top bearing cup off the steering shaft? i have tried everything else so far and it seems bonded! also, how do you get the side plates off the steering box? removed the 2 bolts holding them and tried tapping on the edges and they did not budge. decided to call it a day and beg for expert help!

thanks
 

[Mandomaniac]

I have a steering box I removed to add my power steering on my 641. Worked well.
Holler if interested.