Ford 5000 steering gearbox

[Ron-MO]

Anyone with experience with steering gearboxes on the early 5000? I mistakenly assumed the manual and power boxes were the same, but found the rotation of the arm on left side it opposite. I purchased a manual box, while my tractor is one of the early power boxes with cylinder under the radiator. Any way to reconfigure? Swap a part internally to make it work or am I faced with trying to return (probably no way) or buy another box? Hoping someone has been into them, and knows what difference is. Thanks in advance.

 

[Bern]

A quick check of the parts book shows the parts largely the same with the exception of the nut and shaft assembly (#6).
Box, PS & MS

 

[sotxbill]

On early 5000s both boxes had to move forwards to turn left and backwards to turn right... . After 8-70 there was a change where the power boxes had to pull backwards to go left and the manual boxes stayed the same. I got into that on a 5600 conversion from manual to power. Are you sure you dont have a later model after Aug.1970? The bellcrank under/in the bolster... swapped over or reversed on the later models.

 

[Bern]

.

 

[Ron-MO]

I have been digging for info including the link Bern provided, and I am to the point there is a difference.....my tractor is a 65 year model I believe..... and as mentioned has power steering. I purchased a manual box believing they were the same, but so far my research has told me I need to swap the shaft assy as they are machined differently to provide opposite rotation of the ouput shaft. Not a simple swap and I have the box in the tractor. Lesson learned. I like the 5000, but it seems every time I go to work on it is a long ordeal, and at least one do over is involved. Thanks for the info. I will probably tear the box back out tomorrow and await the part (new aftermarket shaft most likely).

 

[Sean in PA]

Edited to remove incorrect information. Bern is correct. I had a brain f**t when I read the parts descriptions the first time.

This post was edited by Sean in PA on 12/10/2021 at 08:56 am.

 

[Bern]

Sean, I'm sorry but that is not correct. The steering boxes between manual and power steering 5000 tractors from 1965-1970 were most
definitely different. Both the parts book and the service manual say as much - and I've included references to both in this thread. The parts
book clearly shows two different part numbers for the complete box assemblies, as well as calling out a CW and CCW ball-nut and shaft
assembly.

On an original 1965- 1970 5000, when the drag link is pulled to the rear, you'll get a left turn on a power steering tractor and a right turn
on a manual steering tractor.

In 1970, when the integral PS box came out, nothing changed with respect to the box action, as a rearward pull on the drag link still gave a
left turn.

 

[Ron-MO]

Hopefully I have a solution on order as this AM I ordered PN C5NN3A710A (aftermarket shaft), and plan on swapping out the shaft in the aftermarket box. Unfortunately my old box is flat worn out, so no re-using the shaft (wish I could). I had patched it up previously, but about a week ago I lost all steering (free wheeling of the steering wheel), and I knew the shaft was severely worn, as I had approx 1/2 turn of play in the steering.

 

[Ron-MO]

just to add.... here are what appears to be the two different parts for the steering shafts

manual box shaft https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/Ford-5000_Steering-Shaft-with-Nut_D2NN3A710A.html

power box shaft https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/C5NN3A710A_Steering-Shaft-and-Nut-Assembly_20937.html

 

[Bern]

1/2 turn of play in the steering wheel....must have been sheer terror driving down the road.

 

[Ron-MO]

sort of like herding it in upper gears, and you can imagine 8th, and it has a loader on it (part of the reason it is so worn out. Outer tie rods had 1/4 inch of slop, and the lower bearings in spindles only had the lower race left, and was rolling the edge of the bottom of the knees. I knew it was worn, but had no idea how bad it was. It now has new bearings/bushings in the spindles, new outer tie rod ends, and a tight steering box if all goes well. Hopefully it is a much different tractor when I get it back in service.

 

[Destroked 450]

With the clearance needed to shift the spool valve up front and a little pin wear in the linkage you'll be lucky to get less than a 1/4 turn of free play.

 

[Bern]

They're not that bad. The play is a lot less when the engine is running because the cylinder responds quickly to input movement of the
control valve. 20 degrees max maybe if everything is reasonably tight and the steering box is adjusted properly.

 

[Leroy]

That power steering is a very weak spot on the 5000 tractors. Never gould get it to work correctly, OK in field but could never use on road even half throttle in 7th gear and forget about 8th to go to elevator with a load of grain, all over the road.

 

[Bern]

Not if you know how to work on them. I've rebuilt many of them, and they are without a doubt the easiest steering of all Fords of that era, almost as good as a JD. Wander is very tolerable if the joints are tight and the steering box is adjusted properly.

 

[Ron-MO]

I purchased a different shaft for the PS box, and swapped it out. After replacing the box, rebuilding the spindles, and new outer tie rods, it is much tighter, but I still need to adjust toe in. IT does seem as if the steering has very little input feel or resistance (not sure the proper term) like the type steering boxes with power in the box vs. the slave type. If it does ok, I may actually spring for a new set of ribbed fronts vs. the truck tires it currently has. Those would probably help too. Thanks all for the input and Bern for the link