Steering slack in Farmall Super A

[Lieu]

I own a 1954 Farmall Super A-1 that is restored and I only take it for short drives around our farm and tractor shows. It has approximately 7" of steering play when measuring around the circumference of the steering wheel. There is no forward or rear slack in the steering wheel, the tie rod ends are tight and so is the steering arm that comes out of the bottom of the box. From what I've read, it is likely something inside the steering box.

My questions, no more than I use this, is it something I should fix? From what I've read, you have to drop the front axle off to remove the steering box, which sounds like a lot of work and repainting for a show tractor. Any other ideas what could cause this play and how to fix it?

Thank you.

 

[ss55]

I own a 1954 Farmall Super A-1 that is restored and I only take it for short drives around our farm and tractor shows. It has approximately 7" of steering play when measuring around the circumference of the steering wheel. There is no forward or rear slack in the steering wheel, the tie rod ends are tight and so is the steering arm that comes out of the bottom of the box. From what I've read, it is likely something inside the steering box.

My questions, no more than I use this, is it something I should fix? From what I've read, you have to drop the front axle off to remove the steering box, which sounds like a lot of work and repainting for a show tractor. Any other ideas what could cause this play and how to fix it?

Thank you.

The most wear on the steering sector gear will be at the straight ahead position. I would check the play almost at the full right turn and left turn positions. Those will be the places with the least amount of wear, and will give you an idea how much play can be removed by adjustment before the gears start to bind at the full turn positions.

 

[Lieu]

How do you adjust out the slack? I saw a warning online somewhere that said you don't want to do this, so I am flying blind on what to do.

 

[ss55]

How do you adjust out the slack? I saw a warning online somewhere that said you don't want to do this, so I am flying blind on what to do.

If all the wear is at the straight ahead position and the travel extremes are still in spec, there might not be anything to gain from an adjustment, replace the steering sector gear.

 

[RTR]

I've been restoring and working on these tractors for 20 years. I've yet to see a worm gear that is actually worn enough to produce considerable slack. All of the slack I've found will be in the woodruff key slots for the front arm and for the steering gear (main source of slack). These key slots are on the vertical steering shaft inside the steering box (its about 8 inches long). You can try to check the slack with the parts on the bench but will likely not be able to tell much. Just trust me.

Your choices are to replace the shaft with a new one (if it can still be sourced), have a machine shop cut new Larger key slots in all pieces, or simply weld that gear to the shaft and then turn the weld down flush with a lathe so it will all go back together good. Of course, before you tear it all down, pin-point the source of the slack. Jack front end up off ground and start at the front wheels and check tie rod ends, center arm, then have someone hold the front wheels and check slack in box. It might have slack in all areas being nearly 80 years old.

 

[560Dennis]

This video tell how he corrects .

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=How+to+takecthexsteering+slop+out+of+farmall+a

 

[Lieu]

I've been restoring and working on these tractors for 20 years. I've yet to see a worm gear that is actually worn enough to produce considerable slack. All of the slack I've found will be in the woodruff key slots for the front arm and for the steering gear (main source of slack). These key slots are on the vertical steering shaft inside the steering box (its about 8 inches long). You can try to check the slack with the parts on the bench but will likely not be able to tell much. Just trust me.

Your choices are to replace the shaft with a new one (if it can still be sourced), have a machine shop cut new Larger key slots in all pieces, or simply weld that gear to the shaft and then turn the weld down flush with a lathe so it will all go back together good. Of course, before you tear it all down, pin-point the source of the slack. Jack front end up off ground and start at the front wheels and check tie rod ends, center arm, then have someone hold the front wheels and check slack in box. It might have slack in all areas being nearly 80 years old.

View attachment 168677View attachment 168678

RTR, thank you for the thorough reply. One question, is this something I should fix or on a seldom driven tractor is it something I should be concerned with?

 

[Lieu]

This video tell how he corrects .

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=How+to+takecthexsteering+slop+out+of+farmall+a

560Dennis, the video that pulled up from the link was for a Cub. Is the process the same?

 

[560Dennis]

560Dennis, the video that pulled up from the link was for a Cub. Is the process the same?

Try this one sorry if ,my mistake