5200 steering motor

[ChrisNy]

I have a late 60’s Ford 5200 with the Saginaw style steering motor. The steering wheel spins with no resistance and doesn’t turn the wheels. I’m about to dig in and pull the steering column. Was wondering if the power steering pump could be bad instead?

 

[Ultradog MN]

Not sure if they are the same but I have a Saginaw unit on my 4200.
With the engine off you can not turn the steering wheel. I've never been into mine but will need to as it's leaking from the top seal. CNH website says No parts are available for mine any more.
I always figured if mine goes kaput I will swap it out for a modern one.
My friend has a Ford 545 Industrial that uses hydrostatic steering. Parts are available for those and/or you might find a used one in a bone yard. Char Lyn made several steering motors to retrofit manual steering to power
on several old tractors. Allis WDs for example. I don't think it would be too hard to change one out.
Lastly, a friend of mine has a late 5200. His has a different brand of motor. He had his resealed recently and it was not too expensive. Maybe you could find one of those in a boneyard.
Whatever you do, make a post here and let us know how you fixed yours. Someday someone will do a search and be grateful to read there's a fix.

 

[WayneIA]

Is the steering shaft wobbly ,loose, if so probably have a spline problem where the shaft connects to the steering unit. In my opinion, that with a adjustable column up and down, is such a poor setup, using the steering wheel as a handle to get up on the tractor and only one clamp holding the shaft to the unit. I switched mine, 30 years ago, to a CharLynn. Was a hassle but sure works fine.