MT Hard to Steer

[Clint N]

I've got an MT that is very hard to steer, but only when turning left. It'll turn to the right fairly easy, but I can barely get it to turn to the left. It doesn't make much difference whether I'm driving or not. Anybody have an idea of what to look for?

Thanks in advance for any response.

 

[leon]

Did your tractor gradually grow into that problem or is the tractor "new" to you? Maybe taking off the hood, grille and loosening the adjusting screw on top of the steering worm gear box will help, but I'd sure have a look inside the box while there. This problem could grow!!!

 

[Clint N]

It was like this when I bought it. I took the top off of the steering box just to try it and it still did the same. The grease inside was plenty dirty, but I don't really know what to look for that would be wrong. I did notice that the cap on top of the steering box has a crack going through part of it. The steering does some play in it - don't know how that'll factor into it.

 

[Rusty wheel]

jack up the front and c if it gets better. could b a bad thrust bearing in the bottom of the vertical shaft

 

[leon]

When you get to that point, I recommend using JD corn head grease in the steering gear box, and the box below that one. That grease does not separate and drip out like other greases. It lets you get by with seals that maybe aren't quite so good.

 

[Hotflashjr]

There are a few things to look for. Easiest is to make sure the steering wheel isn't binding up between the drivers seat and the top of the steering box. My MT had a bend in that steering rod and that made one direction feel different than the other. I was able to get it bent back into shape on my own without much issue.

The top of the steering box there is a jam bolt in that cover that pushes down on the steering arm going through the pedestal. Try adjusting that to see if it helps at all.

Next look at the two pins in the steering shaft below that top cover. I bet they are worn like most and that contributes.

Like others said there are two places that need oil in the pedestal. I had good luck mixing JD corn head grease in a can with some 90 weight oil. I want to say it calls for lighter than 90 weight oil in there originally. Put everything outside in a big coffee can on a hot summer day and then pour in. Pumping corn head grease in with a grease gun will not fill all the cavities in there and give you as good lubrication as oil does.