Steering Inspection Ford 800

[Shaggyman]

Daily use 800 has almost thirty degrees of slop in the steering and is hard to turn.
Steering wheel shaft has little or no vertical movement.
I can see the Pittman arms move in and out before they turn at all.
Bottom bearing shot and allowing lateral movement or worn sectors?
I think I've exhausted all the adjustment, and suspect severely worn parts.
Is there a way to inspect the steering with a borescope on the tractor?
I'd like to be able to order any parts I'll need before removing the steering box, so I won't have as much down time waiting for parts.

 

[johnnmr]

Not sure how well you can inspect a gearbox that's not disassembled and clean.

In order to save time why not buy a core to rebuild? Or, it sounds like what you will have requires a full overhaul, might make sense time and money wise to just get a rebuilt.

 

[Shaggyman]

It would make sense money wise except for trying to live off of social security - if I had money I'd buy a newer tractor! I put some thrust washers inboard of the Pittman arms that took out the rocking. Still mighty hard to steer, but at least the slop is only five degrees or so.
I'll tough it out until I don't have to move hay and get it torn down before I have to mow....

 

[johnnmr]

It would make sense money wise except for trying to live off of social security - if I had money I'd buy a newer tractor! I put some thrust washers inboard of the Pittman arms that took out the rocking. Still mighty hard to steer, but at least the slop is only five degrees or so.
I'll tough it out until I don't have to move hay and get it torn down before I have to mow....

I feel your pain, no shame in living within your means.

Your original post made down time sound like the most important thing to you is why I recommended what I did.

Repairs are made by using "Cheap", "Easy", and "Fast". You can only ever have 2 out of the 3.... Lol.

 

[Shaggyman]

Quick & Dirty is pretty much the rule around here, until it gets SO broke you just HAVE to - like rebuilding the engine when oil consumption exceeded a quart per hour...

 

[Hemmjo]

Do you have the service manual for your tractor? There is a section in there on adjustments. Does the steering wheel an shaft also move up and down as you turn it? Can you make the steering wheel move up and down?

If the pitman arms move in and out, and you have no more adjustment, you may need to shim the sector assembly. Also the adjusting bolt may be worn. Parts 7 and 8. It is also very likely that the bushings (part 5) are worn,