Steering Problem

[Mike in So Cal]

I have a '51 Ferguson TO30 and recently the steering wheel has been locking so that I can't turn the wheel to the left without considerable effort. In fact when I do finally get the wheel to turn, there's a "pop" sound and the steering returns to normal (for a while). It had been going on for a couple of weeks and finally while I was trying to get the wheel to turn left instead of a "pop" there was a loud "bang". The wheels cranked hard to the left and the steering wheel jammed completely. I took the entire steering assembly off the tractor and took it apart. This is pretty simple gearing and I can't find any damaged gears or gear teeth, or any reason why the problem happened. Everything swings freely and seems to be intact and undamaged. My concern is if I reassemble the steering, will it just happen again? Can anyone shed any light on what happened and how to prevent it from happening in the future? Thanks!!

 

[AverageJoe]

Hi Mike, be sure to inspect the steel balls in the bottom of the steering shaft. If I remember right they run in a couple of steel tubes on the worm gear. If they are jammed up it can cause your problem. Joe

 

[Anonymous-0]

Hay Mike,
Nice tractor you have there.
In one of mine I found that the adjustment screw
on the side of the steering box was worn very bad. If you still have it apart take a look at that.
I repaired mine buy machining a new ADJ. screw.
I also found that the bushings were real bad.
Hope it helps.......... Mark.

 

[Mike in So Cal]

Thanks Mark and Joe for the feedback. The adjustment screws seem to be fine, but there is what I perceive to be a HUGE amount of horizontal play on the control arms(?) that enter the steering box. They each move in and out about 1/4" and the attached gears therefore move about 1/2" apart when they are pulled away from one another. To me that means the worm gear wouldn"t make good contact on the teeth and might jump out or skip teeth eventually jumping off altogether. Is there supposed to be that much play in the steering control arms? Could the bushings or bearings be shot? For the record, the steering wheel rotates freely with no binding and the worm gear does the same; free and clear. Both steering control arms also move freely with no resistance.

 

[John (UK)]

That is your problem, the adjuster screws keep the sector on the steering arms pushed towards the Centre. you should adjust the screws until there is more movement and then slacken off half a turn and lock up. Test the steering to see if there are any tight spots, if there are, just slacken off the adjusting screw a little more. If there is play in the steering levers, in and out then it is adjustment. There should be NO play in the steering wheel...John

 

[Anonymous-0]

Mike,
Very possible that you need new bushings and bearings in the steering box.
The way it sounds to me, I would just rebuild the box. Wont cost much and think you will be very happy with the end results.
Just an idea mike. Mark.