Steering Problem

[Bill2]

1948 8n. After making a turn, it felt as though the steering wheel came loose. The steering wheel turns with a clicking sound but is ineffective in turning the steering or sector shafts. It sounds and feels as through it is moving over splines on the
steering shaft, or broken a woodruff key, though 8Ns are not supposed to use them. I can steer the tractor (and finished cultivating) using a 12 inch crescent wrench on the acorn nut, but I have not been able to remove the acorn nut. I found I can steer
the tractor while trying to remove the nut. Any thoughts on what is broken and the fix to this?

 

[HFJ]

unless 2Ns and 8Ns use a different acorn nut, it's 1 and 1/16". try an impact wrench on it.

 

[RM-MN]

A new acorn nut costs about $7. Use an angle grinder to cut it off and replace it if you can't get it loose any other way.

 

[Dave G9N]

(quoted from post at 20:53:07 07/03/23) unless 2Ns and 8Ns use a different acorn nut, it's 1 and 1/16". try an impact wrench on it.

Ns and 8Ns use a different acorn nut

Nut, Steering Wheel ACORN style. 1 1/16 inch-20. CHROME PLATED. For Ford 4 Cylinder Tractor Models, 1947-1964.

Nut, Steering Wheel ACORN Style. 5/8-18, CHROME PLATED. For tractors: 9N, 2N {1939-1947

Edited:

ah, ty for the clarification Smile

To ty (sic) to clarify, I added '/'s to 1116 and 58-18 to clarify the thread size. Copy/paste error. I didn't notice that the slashes don't paste .
As evidenced by the following post, it caused some confusion. It's obvious that you can't get get a 1 1/16 socket on a 1 1/16 - 20 nut, but 1116 makes it hard to understand.

This post was edited by Dave G9N on 07/13/2023 at 11:28 am.

 

[HFJ]

(quoted from post at 17:05:05 07/04/23)

(quoted from post at 20:53:07 07/03/23) unless 2Ns and 8Ns use a different acorn nut, it's 1 and 1/16". try an impact wrench on it.

Ns and 8Ns use a different acorn nut

Nut, Steering Wheel ACORN style. 1116 inch-20. CHROME PLATED. For Ford 4 Cylinder Tractor Models, 1947-1964.

Nut, Steering Wheel ACORN Style. 58-18, CHROME PLATED. For tractors: 9N, 2N {1939-1947

ah, ty for the clarification

unless i'm misreading this, tho, looks like they both take the same socket.

 

[Bruce(OR)]

What's broken?
Could be either under or behind the steering wheel.
How to fix it?
With money after you take it all apart.
Ask me how I know both of those.

 

[Hobo,NC]

I have never seen the splines on the steering shaft damaged but have seen the splines inside the steering wheel strip.

Sounds like you will need a new steering wheel.

 

[Den N Ms]

Bill2 .Splines on a 8N ,a key on a 9N and 2N.The splines in the steering wheel must have striped out,hopefully the shaft will clean up.Needs a new steering wheel and possibly a new nut.

 

[HFJ]

i pulled my wheel last week for the first time. was pleasantly surprised with how little fight the nut and wheel put up. it was just for proof of concept, i put it right back on. but now i know i can pull it back off come winter and bolt the hood to the back of the dash again instead of the front

 

[Bill2]

Thanks to all, I had the acorn nut off for steering box work years ago and I'll handle that when I get back from a trip. Hobo and Den N have put my mind at ease, I think your diagnosis makes great sense and hits the nail on the head. I've used corn head
grease in the box for years and since I can steer it with big wrench on the acorn nut I'm hopeful I won't have to tear the box apart. I'll be happy to fix it by putting on a new steering wheel.

Thanks again to all!