Farmall AI Steering

[bgretencord]

Good morning all. First of all I want to thank everyone who has helped me with my previous projects. I have the majority of my tractor fleet in good working order. Now on to the next project. I have my Grandpa's old Farmall AI. The steering is very loose, 4th gear i downright scary. I think my next project will be working on that. On my initial search for parts online, I have found plenty of front end parts for the A, but not for the AI. Is the steering components the same? I know the axle is different but didn't know if spindles, tie rods, etc. were the same or different. Can anyone help me on this? Thanks

 

[Charlie M]

I know there are rebuild kits for the A steering which includes all the bearings and gaskets and seals. I have bought them for my A and 100 (same steering on both) and have worked well. I don't know about an
AI model but I would be surprised if that steering is different. Somebody on here probably knows.

 

[bgretencord]

(reply to post at 07:16:22 02/26/23)

That's what I was thinking. Just wanted to know for sure and not run on my assumption. Thanks

 

[khouse6]

get someone to help with this. have plenty of lifting power. probably a 2 day project.

 

[gene bender]

steering parts are all the same so start with the tie rod ends and work back to see if you need to keep going further akk the
way tothe steering box and the key way and bushings

 

[bgretencord]

Perfect, thank you! That was my exact thought for doing this,start simple and work in.

 

[crsutton81]

From what research I did in my parts
book, everything internally
pertaining to the gearbox is the
same between an A-I,Super A,100 and
140. The notable difference between
an A-I and a regular front
axle,besides the axle itself, is the
lower gearbox housing is different along with the gearbox steering arm.Tie rods are the same for all later styles with conventional type ball joints.
The A-I and Vs (high clear) used the
taller version while the regulars
used the short version in the bottom
right photo.
<img
src=https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto148605.jpg>

 

[brooktre]

I had the same issue with my AI - steering was extremely loose. On my tractor the steering gear arm wasn't tight enough because the securing bolt had stripped treads. You could grab the steering gear arm and move it up and down fairly easily by hand. If your arm can be moved up and down by hand, try and tighten the nut/bolt and see if that helps.

Looking at the diagram in crsutton81's post, the steering gear arm is 32A. It is held to the worm shaft 20A with a nut and bolt. The bolt is a 7/16 x 2 1/4 fine thread.

I have other steering parts that have wear, but replacing this bolt made a huge difference.

 

[bgretencord]

This is extremely helpful, thank you!