TO-30

[sds46a]

I looked at a TO 30 (~52)yesterday and was ready to buy it when I noticed that when turning the steering wheel to the left, the the steering wheel will raise up about a 1.5 inches. Turning the wheel right it goes back down stays down as it should. Any idea what I would be getting into to repair this. Owner mows with the tractor and doesn't seem to be bothered by it. Nice otherwise. thanks for any help.

Doug

 

[Bruce(OR)]

Nut is loose at the bottom of the steering column. Might also need a bearing. I have a Ford 8N that does the same. Only it does not make left turns at all. Now residing in the yard. Yours is probably soon destined for the same fate without proper repairs.

 

[Richard L]

Bruce, when I rebuilt my TO 30 steering column I do not remember a nut down at the bottom. What am I missing?

 

[Jerry/MT]

The bearings on the steering column are worn or damaged. You"ll need to fix that.

 

[Bruce(OR)]

I did my '20 column and my memory is fuzzy.
The 8N I just picked up has the same problem and I have been informed a nut on the bottom has fallen off. I have not played with it yet, but suspect at least a lower bearing is gone. So, if it is a bad bearing, what holds it in place?
Toooo late and lazy to open the parts book at this time.

 

[John UK]

Remove the Steering wheel and adjust the nuts underneath to prevent this, use the lock nut too. The bearings maybe shot, but it is adjustment that is causing the wheel to lift like that....John

 

[Anonymous-0]

I am a rookie at working on these tractors but I did it and it is a very easy fix. From this site you can order new bearing races, cones and bearings. From what you describbe your bottom bearing is shot, literally. Probably from lack of lubrication. First look at each side of your lower steering housing. On each side of the lower steering housing you will see L/R steering sectors(arms) and adjacent to them a slotted adjustment screw and a locking nut on each that locks the adjustment. WITH YOUR FRONT WHEELS STRAIGHT loosen the locking nuts and back off the slotted adjustment screws on each side. Next remove the steering wheel, remove the hex nuts that hold the upper steering housing from the dash, they are on back side of dash,disconnect throttle linkage, then remove the 4 bolts that hold the upper steering housing to the lower housing. Remove upper housing as a unit. Steering shaft will come out with what is left of the bearings. Remove old cones and bearings, it is a interference fit. Ckeck your old steering shaft for wear especially where the bearings and cones mount. Replace shaft if necessary. It's on the site as well. If the old races in the upper steering housing aren't too bad clean them up and leave them, they are a bear to get out, if you even can. Replace bearings and cones. Preload the steering shaft with the lower adjusting nut on the top of the steering shaft, this holds everything in place while you reinstall the upper steering unit shaft etc. Reattach upper housing to dash and lower steering unit. Adjust the two hex nuts and locking washer until there is no lift. Lastly run in the slotted screws equally on each side, basically they apply pressure on the steering gears that contact the helical gear on the steering shaft. Just don't want any type of binding to occur as you check L/R steering travel.Last do final adjustment on hex nuts on steering shaft. Do final reinstall of steering wheel. Hopefully you are good to go. As a final note, this is a good time to get all the old oil out of the steering housing. You can use a hand suction pump to do this. Can get one at Tractor Supply for about $11.Fill the steering housing with a mixture of heavy gear oil and #2 grease, some say corn head grease, #2 will work just as well. Mix the oil and grease in a big zip lock bag, cut a corner off and have at it. It's easier to do while the upper housing is still off. I drilled and tapped the filler plug on mine to 1/4-20, put in a grease fitting and pumped in grese until it puked out the top at the steering wheel. As an alternative you can put a grease fitting on the steering wheel cap to lube the upper bearing, either work. It takes about 6 lbs of grease but you want to avoid any voids and the heavy oil helps with this. It won't leak and will probably be the last time you ever have to worry about it.Hope this helps. This is a good forum and there are some guys on there that know these machines inside and out and will help you with any repair. I can't send you an exploded view of the steering system to get a better sense of what I described but I am sure that John UK would if you provided your email address to him.