Ford 3055 Steering

[Recoil]

Hi everyone,

I have a 1971 Ford 3055 (identified in a previous post on this site) that has power steering. With that, I have two issues. The first issue is the play in the steering itself. I can turn the steering wheel almost half of a full rotation (not quite half, but pretty close) before I see the outer linkage start to move. Is there a way to tighten the steering in the steering box itself, or is it just from wear on the steering shaft and gears? The second issue I have is that the power steering doesn't seem to want to work when the tractor is sitting still. Once I'm driving it, it seems fine (minus the play I have in the steering - see issue 1), but I can really notice it if I'm at a stop with the tractor throttled down and I attempt to steer. I think the system is properly bled but I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Sean in PA]

Does the steering wheel move up and down noticeably when you turn it and the external linkage is not yet moving? The most likely cause of the lack of external movement for that much free play in the wheel is the upper, and possibly the lower, thrust bearings are worn and need to be replaced. The second issue is related to the first one. The steering gear box needs to be taken apart, and any worn or broken parts need to be replaced, and then when it is put back together the proper adjustment needs to be made on the large nut before staking it in place. The procedure is in the Ford Service Manual as well as the I&T after market service manual. I've never seen a service manual specific to the 3055, but that model is basically a 3000 front half with a 4000 rear half, so follow the sections of the manual that apply to the 3000 when working on anything from the transmission and steering box forward and for the 4000 when working on anything in the rear axle and hydraulics.

 

[Recoil]

Does the steering wheel move up and down noticeably when you turn it and the external linkage is not yet moving? The most likely cause of the lack of external movement for that much free play in the wheel is the upper, and possibly the lower, thrust bearings are worn and need to be replaced. The second issue is related to the first one. The steering gear box needs to be taken apart, and any worn or broken parts need to be replaced, and then when it is put back together the proper adjustment needs to be made on the large nut before staking it in place. The procedure is in the Ford Service Manual as well as the I&T after market service manual. I've never seen a service manual specific to the 3055, but that model is basically a 3000 front half with a 4000 rear half, so follow the sections of the manual that apply to the 3000 when working on anything from the transmission and steering box forward and for the 4000 when working on anything in the rear axle and hydraulics.

Thanks for the reply Sean. No, the steering doesn't move up and down at all, it just has quite a bit of free play left to right and vice versa. It's something in the gear box like you mention because I've watched it when moving it to see if it moves any external components to rule out something loose or worn on the outside, but it doesn't. I have the I&T Shop Manual (FO-31) but I think the power steering looks different than what's in the book. I'll take another look today to verify that.

 

[Sean in PA]

The New Holland parts site has a single parts drawing for the power steering gear box for all of the following models in the 3000 series:

3055 (your "French Super" model)
3100 (The standard ag chassis 3000)
3120 ("Highway" chassis model in the 3000 series)
3150 (UK only "Rice" chassis model in the 3000 series)
3400 (Utility model in the 3000 series)

Your 3055 French Super is basically a 4000SU with the smaller displacement 3000 series engine. The 4000SU is officially called a 4140, and it uses that same power steering gear box. If yours is different, then it might have been replaced at some point.

 

[Recoil]

The New Holland parts site has a single parts drawing for the power steering gear box for all of the following models in the 3000 series:

3055 (your "French Super" model)
3100 (The standard ag chassis 3000)
3120 ("Highway" chassis model in the 3000 series)
3150 (UK only "Rice" chassis model in the 3000 series)
3400 (Utility model in the 3000 series)

Your 3055 French Super is basically a 4000SU with the smaller displacement 3000 series engine. The 4000SU is officially called a 4140, and it uses that same power steering gear box. If yours is different, then it might have been replaced at some point.

Thanks, do you happen to have the URL for the New Holland parts site?

 

[SkipperII]

Thanks, do you happen to have the URL for the New Holland parts site?

Just go to your web browser and type in Messicks New Holland Parts

 

[Recoil]

Just go to your web browser and type in Messicks New Holland Parts

Thanks. I just typed in "New Holland Parts" prior to my last post and I got a bunch of parts houses but nothing with diagrams. I'll search this now. I appreciate it.

 

[Sean in PA]

Thanks, do you happen to have the URL for the New Holland parts site?

Link to parts drawings for 3055 at the New Holland Parts web site.