Lets talk about front axle/steering stuff

[New to Blue]

New to me 1973 3000 diesel with PS.
I have rebuild the steering sector gear box and the power steering valve.
Steers real nice to the right but kind heavy to the left even with front end off the ground.
I got to looking at the left side steering components and have noted a few things that need attention and I'm looking for input on these:
Left spindle needs new bushings 1/8 - 3/16 +/- of movement.
However while looking in that area I noticed the bolt attaching the radius arm to the front axle is broken off at the bottom.
Radius arm is also loose where it attaches under the sector arm to the socket and cap.
Finally the front axle is loose on the pin, probably 1/8 - 3/16 +/- of movement of the axle on the pin.
As you probably guessed this unit has a TA-25 loader on it, lol.
My questions are:
Does this axle pin require replacement? I&T manual states a "free fit".
Is the ball on the end of the radius arm replaceable, seems only the arm itself is sold, or is it just a matter of replacing the socket and cap?
Why would the bolt attaching the radius arm to the axle break, wrong grade?
Finally, and I know hard to tell with out having torn it apart. Are the spindle and outer axle easily damaged if the PO neglected the spindle bushings?

Any other input into this area is welcome. first time tractor owner... so yeah
Thanks!

 

[sotxbill]

New to me 1973 3000 diesel with PS.
I have rebuild the steering sector gear box and the power steering valve.
Steers real nice to the right but kind heavy to the left even with front end off the ground.
I got to looking at the left side steering components and have noted a few things that need attention and I'm looking for input on these:
Left spindle needs new bushings 1/8 - 3/16 +/- of movement.
However while looking in that area I noticed the bolt attaching the radius arm to the front axle is broken off at the bottom.
Radius arm is also loose where it attaches under the sector arm to the socket and cap.
Finally the front axle is loose on the pin, probably 1/8 - 3/16 +/- of movement of the axle on the pin.
As you probably guessed this unit has a TA-25 loader on it, lol.
My questions are:
Does this axle pin require replacement? I&T manual states a "free fit".
Is the ball on the end of the radius arm replaceable, seems only the arm itself is sold, or is it just a matter of replacing the socket and cap?
Why would the bolt attaching the radius arm to the axle break, wrong grade?
Finally, and I know hard to tell with out having torn it apart. Are the spindle and outer axle easily damaged if the PO neglected the spindle bushings?

Any other input into this area is welcome. first time tractor owner... so yeah
Thanks!

When I had the 66 ford 3000 I went through two pins and bolsters due the the heavy used and over loading the 730 loader... Later models the pin was increase in size to better hold the weight and last longer, but I dont remember the change over date. I would weld the back of the pin(threaded end) to the bolster as the hole was wallered out. Then run it more and wear it out again. thus new (used) bolster was needed with pin and sometimes the center axle piece.

I had broken bolts on the front of the radius rods and had to drive them out and replace them. They were froze in the axle holes.... The wear increased due the heavy discing very rough land,,, with the loader on there. Even broke a spindle or two... The rear socket cups were replaced, and a layer of innertube added, to tighten them up with surprisingly good and lasting results.

I got where I removed the 375 lb bucket when farming to help lower the wear on the front... The bigger 4000 had a much better/heavier axle but was a bit bigger and a bit longer, and is a much better loader tractor.


Many times a set of new bushing on the spindles will not help much. Even check the thrust bearings on the bottom of the spindles to lower wear, even had the wheel bearings needing replacing... Did I tell you that I worked the snot out of that poor tractor. It was used in a charcoal factory in its prior life from around Flatonia Tx when I picked it up,, to replace the super dexta. I still have those bolsters in the scrap pile. One bolster got bolted in reverse to the front of a 4000 tractor and then filled with rocks to allow bigger equipment to be used. That one is probably down at the ranch iirc.

BTW.. if the radius rods allow the front axle to move too much, on a bad pivot pin, sharp turns will start to move/push on the radiator so that the fan will start to hit the shroud.... and even worse.


Sorry for the rambling..