sloppy steering

[Gary Schones]

The front wheels on my 9N seem to wobble back and forth when I am driving in 3rd gear (fast). If I put my foot on the arm that come out of the steering box and connect to the rods it can stop that. I have had this 9N for a few years and it has been that way since I have owned it. I use it to mow about 5 times a year and plan to keep it a while so i guess I should do some repairs. Can anyone out there point me in the right direction? Thanks.

 

[Bruce(VA)]

While the usual suspect is tie rod ends, start at the front & move to the back.

Jack it up & grab the top & bottom of the tire. If it moves back & forth, the likely suspect is wheel bearings/races and/or spindle bushings.

Next, take it off the jack & try moving the tie rods sideways & back & forth. The fronts usually wear before the rears.

Steering box problems are possible, but rule out the likely causes first.
50 Tips

 

[BillM (OH)]

You may want to check the wheel toein first - should be 1/4 inch toein (I think) on the front wheels - if not, they will wobble.

 

[Jim.UT]

Do as Bill & Bruce advise...check the easy/cheap stuff first. If your search takes you into the steering box, look for worn gears on the lower end of the steering shaft and on the sectors.

This pic shows a warn out steering shaft gear next to one that's not too bad. The sectors had similar razor edges on the gears. I wish I had taken pics of those, too.

I have a set of sectors and a steering shaft out of a 2N, but they show some wear....not near as bad as the one in the photo, but still not "like new".

 

[Gary Schones]

I am, going to check it over this weekend. I value all of your imput and appreciate the guidence. You are all "the best". Thanks for the help. Gary