8n steering ?

[Ed Soper]

I have a 1950 Ford 8n. It has a front end loader, (yes I know the 8n wasn"t really designed for this heavy addition), but it was on it when I bought it about 5 years ago. It was somewhat hard to steer then, it got gradually worse to where it was near impossible to turn, then something stapped the steering wheel is free wheeling but won"t control the wheels. Is this symptom the gear box or worse?

 

[Royse]

Nothing moves but the steering wheel?
No movement on the sector shafts?
Can you lift the steering wheel up/out of the steering column?
Does it wobble back and forth or side to side?
I would think most likely a failure in the gearbox/steering shaft.
I have loaders on some of my N's too. It's hard on them.

 

[souNdguy]

could be a few things.

1, if the stering wheel and shaft can be pulled out any.. wormshaft is done.

if it spins round and round but won't wobble. ballnut may have come apart.

if it spins and rises and falls a lil when it tries to steer.. then thrust bearings .. usually top.. have gone to a better place.

fo-4 completely covers R&R of the steering gear.

easy box to rebuild. even the early ones aren't bad assuming you find the hard parts you need if damaged.