2000 FORD STEERING PROBLEM

[J Morgan]

I am trying to repair the steering on a 1972 Ford 2000.
My problem is that when I put the right and left steering sectors in place ,the steering wheel will turn the tires to the right but the steering wheel will not turn the tires to the left. The steering wheel just backs out on the steering shaft. Any suggestions?

Also, how much play should be in the worm gear? There appears to be alot of play in this particular worm gear and I am wondering if that has anything to do with the steering wheel backing out.

Finally, is there anything that is supposed to keep tension on the worm gear such as a spring or bearing on the top of the steering shaft? Any help would greatly be appreciated!

 

[souNdguy]

Looks like you -REALLY- need a set of manuals for that tractor.. preferably, owners, parts and service.

yuor steering box should use 2 thrust washers.. and upper and lower. When the upper bearing dies from lack f lube.. you get excessive play, binding when steering 1 direction, and the steeirng wheel will 'unscrew' from the box.

R&R of the steering box is dirty and involves alot of sheet metal disassembly.. but is not rocket science. go for it.

Soundguy

 

[souNdguy]

Forgot to add.... you would have gotten much faster response had you actually poste dthis in the FORD discussion forum...

Soundguy

 

[Anonymous-0]

J,

Soundguy is the expert on Ford tractors and I'm not; however, I also have a Ford 2000 with manual steering. I also had steering box problems and rebuilt the unit a couple of years ago. The "unscrewing" of your steering shaft is definitely caused by a defective bearing assembly that is in the bottom of the steering column that is supposed to hold the steering shaft down. As Soundguy said, you must have a service manual to do this job. I found it to be very tricky to get the two sector gears timed correctly to the worm gear that is on the steering shaft, but after a lot of looking and trying, I finally got it timed properly.

If you are mechanically inclined, you can do the job. If you are not mechanically inclined, you really need to have a good mechanic do the job for you.

Good luck,

Tom in TN