Fergie TO35 Steering Problem

[WoodenNickle]

My neighbor"s TO35 decided it was time to stop turning to the left. Must be one of those right wing radicals. The cause was the final collapse of both the top and bottom thrust bearings in the gearbox.

The steering shaft has a LOT of wear on the bearing lands. Replaced the thrust bearings in the gearbox, but it still has about 1/4 turn of play in the steering wheel. Short of replacing the $200 shaft, does anyone know of a solution? It only ran for about 150 feet before destroying the new bearings. By the way, it"s not power steering.

 

[phil fenner]

I had the same problem on my TO35 and bought the new shaft and it seems ok now,

Phil (WA)

 

[bigdad390]

You could repair the shaft two ways. First would be a bearing shaft repair kit wich consists of a sleeve that is pressed on over the worn section of the shaft to bring it back to the correct OD. Here is one example, http://www.vsm.skf.com/en-US/HeavyDuty/KitsAndTools/SpeediSleeve.aspx how ever there are many companys that sell them. Your local NAPA parts store should also have them. The second method would be to have the shaft welded and re-machined, however that would probably cost as much as much as you said a new shaft would cost.

 

[bigdad390]

http://www.vsm.skf.com/en-US/HeavyDuty/KitsAndTools/SpeediSleeve.aspx