800 steering gear box

[bfdtn]

My steering gear box locked up today. Kinda knew it was going to. Anybody possibly know were I can get a rebuilt one or just a replacement. Thanks, Bubba

 

[Ultradog MN]

You don't mention if you have power steering or not.
I wouldn't buy a used steering box.
The one you have is very easy to rebuild.
The hardest part is getting the box out of the tractor as you need to remove the all the tin and guages.
Once you have it out take it apart, clean everything and have a look see. As often as not it just needs upper bearings as people don't check the oil regularly and they dry out and go bad. Put new bearings in it, new sector shaft seals and it will probably be good for another 40 years.
If you don't have an I&T FO-20 manual you really do need one. - about $30. It will explain how to rebuild everything on your tractor.
Any trouble you may encounter has been dealt with hundreds of times by the good folks on this board. So just ask.

 

[bedfordsam]

ultra dog i was reading previous post and seen you bought some weight at a sale would you be intrested in selling the front weight for bumper if so could you email me thanks tim

 

[souNdguy]

have you disconnected the steering arms to make sure it is the box and not spindles?

what made you think it would lock up.. has it been making bad noises.. the steering wheel been rising and falling when turning?

if it's merely thrust bearings in a manual box.. it's a super easy job itself.. getting to the box thru the tin and the steer wheel off is more work than the repair itself.

soundguy

 

[bfdtn]

Howdy Sounder, been along time since I talked to you about the 12v convertion. Its manual steering. I had to make a hard left turn and it just locked. Then the whole steering shaft began to un screw. I HIT THE BRAKES, THAT YOU AND JOHN HELPED ME FIX. The tin is already off because of other things.
I gotta right turn though! Thank you guys for the responses.

 

[souNdguy]

unscrewing means a thrust bearing let go.. locked, usually means a roller fell out of the cage from the bearing that disintegrated and is locking the sector gears.

this all happened due to lack of lube.

soundguy

 

[bfdtn]

Guess that means rebuild. Ug
Well it is an 800, and is as old as me. Knees feel like that steering box. Probably get it out tomorrow nght and try to break it down, adding to the list. Thanks again.

 

[souNdguy]

it's o big deal.. I rebuild the steering box on just about every ford I get. bearings aren't even 50$ for a top and bottom thrust set with races.. pop the top.. back sector gears out of the way of the ballnut, pull and repalce lower set, then upper set.. and reassemble and time.. then backlash adjust. seals if needed.. etc.. grease and go.

soundguy

 

[bfdtn]

Do hire out? Hahaha
I'll give'r a go. Will let you know the progress.

 

[Ultradog MN]

Hi Sam,
LOL. No I wont sell that front bumper weight.
I met the guy 1 1/2 years ago when I went up there to pick up a rear scoop I bought from him.
He had that pallet of weights then and I asked if I could buy just that one weight.
He said No. Buy all the weights or none of them.
So I hemmed and hawed about it for a year and a half and finally sent him the check for ALL the weights last week.

 

[souNdguy]

you'll be fine. sounds harder than it is.

getting the tinwork out of the way is most of the work..


soundguy

 

[Ultradog MN]

Make sure you "time" the sector gears.
I bought a 641 once that the guy hadn't set the sector gears properly and it took the whole yard to turn it around.

 

[bfdtn]

Well, it"s done. Got everything back in, painted, jacked the front end up and I got a left turn again. I marked the pitman arms with the wheels straight and everything lined back up. I think. Waiting for the air cleaner to dry, (had left over paint) then I"ll give it a go this afternoon. Only concern and it"s an old one, before I had some play in the steering, and it"s still there. Is that normal or can it be adjusted?