Hard steering on AC-B

[ALLIS FOREVER]

Hey guys another question?
I have three b’s all handbrake versions.

One has extremely hard steering like two hands to move the wheels. It had car tires on it so I assumed that was the reason and today after switching over to 3 rib 5x15 fronts it was still hard. So I dove under the tool box cover and noticed what appears to be a cap or freeze type plug missing at the end of the steering box facing the rear of engine.(gemmer box I believe) I’ve attached photos. Inside was nothing but sludge and old grease remnants so i brake cleaned it and blew it out with air and added an expansion plug to fill it with atf to hopefully clean it out. No better it also has play in the steering wheel as if a bushing is missing and has a 1.5-2” steel pipe over the old steering shaft some body messed around with it.

Any idea how to fix this steering or any used gemmer boxes with shaft and wheel available from a member. I’m in CT

Appreciate your Help as always.

 

[ALLIS FOREVER]

Photos

 

[Traditional Farmer]

First thing I'd do is unhook the steering rod and make sure its not the front spindles that are tight.If its still tight probably going to have to tear the steering assembly down to fix the problem.best to use corn head grease in the box once its fixed.

 

[Aaron SEIA]

With that end off and the plug on the fill missing, I'd bet the gearbox is rusty. Bearings may be bad too. Could also unhook the drag link and see if it steers better. Might be the axle spindles rusted and tight.
AaronSEIA

 

[Dick L]

Here is some pictures of what you have inside. Like stated you need to unhook the steering arm to the front to see where all you have problems.
Look Here

 

[4wdtom]

Since you have a repair on the steering column lit may have got water in it and rusted out. Water may have gotten into the steering box at the same time and pushed out the plug when it froze. As said, you need to be sure where the resistance is. Probably you are right though from the sounds of things, it's in the box. Take it apart, clean and inspect. Tapered roller bearings will be OK with a fair amount of damage. There isn't any speed involved and as long as they roll will probably be OK for quite a while. Play in the steering won't hurt until it gets to be a lot. Have seen 2/3 turn of the wheel before it failed, and there is an adjustment that may be able eliminate some of it if it isn't all used up already. Depending on what you need, if you can't get parts, I may be able to help. Made a bearing race for the ED-40 steering box I was working on with a friend. There was no bearing on one end. Somebody had put in a bunch of washers instead of the ball bearing. Put in loose balls and the ball race I made and so for so good. That box had been brazed back together and there was a good dent in the tank. We think something fell on the tractor at some time in it's life.
Anyway, as I said if the box is free and lubed it will probably work pretty good as long as the parts aren't too bad.
Did you figure out the rear wheel thing? Tom







Three Bs? when we talked I thought you said two. Have they mated and had offspring?

 

[ALLIS FOREVER]

Thanks for those pics. Great reference for when I dig in

 

[ALLIS FOREVER]

Haha. Yea got another one yesterday. The addiction is scary and I’m learning more from each one. The rear is good now pulled covers removed that gross fluid that seems to have turned to grease, I brake cleaned inside and filled with 90 weight and the little axle chip or hole I filled with steel stick and no leaks or issues. Never did find a toothed inside so boggles my
Mind
Sal (Tory)

 

[ALLIS FOREVER]

Thanks Aaron. I didn’t think to check the spindles. I just put new rims
and tires on it but didn’t think to check the front or disconnect the
drag link. Is that held with just the cotter

 

[ALLIS FOREVER]

(quoted from post at 20:21:44 06/13/20) Photos
<img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto47080.jpg">

<img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto47081.jpg">

Attached info from service manual. Pretty brief. But it appear I dont have an adjust screw unless Im seeing mine wrong. Also my eccentric rivet does not move at at. Tried biggest screw drivers I had and nothing even after loosening other bolts. As of now it have some atf and an expansion plug to hold it all in to hopefully clean out and dirt and debris and rust. I brake cleaned 2 bottles of Autozones finest lol. It was crap upon crap but I kept till it wasnt mostly clear. The bearing is intact the one specifically facing the back motor side of steering box. Might try to pull plug drain at, reinstall plug and fill
With gear oil I just dont think that will be enough but who knows.
Next will be drag link and try to check spindles and Ball joints. They were all greasers with my grease gun but no better than before.

 

[ALLIS FOREVER]

 

[ALLIS FOREVER]

I think tomorrow going to set her up in the shop and take the drag link off and jack up the front and see how easy that turns. Just to rule out the spindles.

I don’t want to pull the hood fuel tank and steering assembly
Out yet but I have a feeling that’s coming.

 

[Jim Phelps]

Cannot say why yours steers so hard, I have a B and it steers really easy so I would start at one end and work my way to the other until the problem has been found.

 

[ALLIS FOREVER]

Process of elimination that’s what I will do Jim. My other Bs steer perfectly and effortless

 

[DERM]

Paul Ohmes out of Missouri has a lot of used parts for B,C,& CA tractors. I've dealt with him and he treated me well. He almost always has an ad or two in the parts section of the photo ads here.