Ford 4000 manual steering problem

[GeorgeBest]

I have a UK built 1967 4000, 3 cyl diesel with SOS. I had noticed over a period of time that the steering was getting harder and I was using the turning brakes more and more to make steering easier.

I took the side cover off the steering gear box and found that all the ball bearings from the steering worm were in the bottom of the gear box!

What I'm wondering is if it is possible to make a repair with the steering box still on the tractor or do you have to pull the steering box off the tractor? Looking at the manual it seems like a lot of stuff has to come off or be disconnected to get the steering column and box off. Then of course a longer process of putting all the stuff back on.

 

[shaun wallace]

Just bite the bullet and pull rear hood and fuel tank so can fix right.

 

[George Best]

Shaun,

Not the response I wanted ;-)

At the moment I'm still fighting trying to get the steering arm off. Just trying to keep from having to disconnect the SOS trans and pto, as well as all the other stuff needed to remove the fuel tank and sheet metal. I'll probably end up having to do all that but was hoping I could get the ball bearings back in the worm without taking everything apart.

 

[sotxbill]

there are 7 or 13 balls that run in a groove on the bottom of the box as well.

 

[George Best]

I ended up taking everything off and took the steerbox off the tractor. Took several evenings to get it done. Seems that I had to fight everything to get it apart.

If you have the UK version like I do, you need to take the hood off as well as otherwise it would be a real bugger to get the rear sheetmetal off while leaving the hood on.

Also make sure to siphon out the fuel tank to make it easier to remove.

I've ordered a lot of parts from New Holland dealer and they should be here the 1st of Oct. Then the fun begins in trying to put this all back together ;-)