Update on Loose 240 U Steering Problem

[PaulW_NJ]

JimN and Dave asked that I report back what I discovered about the loose steering on my 240 Utility.

I previously reported that I had about 360 degrees of free steering before I made contact with anything. I had removed the worm shaft and discovered that it looked brand new! Since then I removed the front axle to gain access to the steering box. The first thing I noticed is that the Pittman arm was loose and wobbly. Removing the cotter pin and castellated nut, the Pittman arm dropped off into my hand! I discovered the bore of the arm, and the tapered shaft of the worm gear were both badly scored. And the Woodruff key port on the tapered gearshaft was much wider than the key. Apparently the arm was too loose on the tapered shaft, and the Woodruff key gradually wore a wider width, allowing more slop in the steering. A friend experimented with his good 240 and told me a full steering wheel revolution only moves the Pitman arm about 6 degrees . . . so just a little bit of shaft looseness creates a whole lot of steering wheel movement. Even though, as JimN suggested, the worm gear looks like new, just like the worm shaft, with a worn and loose taper shaft all I can do is replace it, because even if a new keyway is cut into it (there already were two and both were worn wide)if the taper fit is loose the problem will only re-occur.

 

[J.J. from Afton]

You could always look at welding the taper up and turning it down to where it would fit tight again. Its always worth a try depending on parts cost.

 

[Janicholson]

Put the arm on the shaft without keys and see if it will tighten up on the taper (very likely because that is what the taper is for) then take a thicker Woodruf key and grind it down to fit the augered out hole in the shaft. Do the same for the tapered key way in the arm. Do the same for the other side and keyway. This will take a bit of dremel action, but very doable. The arm should tighten up on the taper with just a little more of the bolt sticking out, If the washer would now push on the sholder of the shaft, put a larger ID washer to allow the nut to drive the arm tight on the shaft's taper. When it is just about to be put together the last time, put Locktight brand stud and bearing mount liquid on the surfaces of the taper keys and shaft. Tighten it, then use a big socket, and a hammer over the nut driving the arm onto the shaft farther, then tighten , then drive the arm on more then final tighten and pin the nut.
The taper tightness is 50 % of the holding force of the system. It wuill work, for little money. JimN

 

[Scotty]

Afternoon Jim,
While I respect the advice you have given both this poster and myself included, Im not in total agreement with your assesment on that taper ! Looking at the picture you can see the tapered section is badly scored ! A taper gets much of its holding power from a good finish and fit to its mating part, in this case the steering arm ! Without rewelding, turning the taper and remachining the woodruff key, IMO, is kind of a botch job. Sorry Jim its the toolmaker in me, your method may be a low dollar fix but I wouldnt do it that way. Hope all is well with you !

scotty

 

[Janicholson]

I agree! The fix I outlined will cost little but time. If it does not work out, that will be the primary loss. The play in the shaft will reappear in a predictable way and not cause loss of control. So there it is in a nutshell. I wish him luck. JimN

 

[DAVE240]

I HAVE A QUESTION ON HOW TO REMOVE THE STEERING SHAFT U JOINT FROM THE WORM SHAFT. I HAVE DRIVEN OUT THE STEEL PIN THAT GOES THRU THE U JOINT AND SHAFT. BUT CAN NOT FREE THE JOINT FROM THE SHAFT.
ANY HINTS??
THANKS
DAVE

 

[DAVE240]

i did get everything apart! i have the same problem, not as bad as yours. my woodruff key was sheered off... shaft had light score marks on the taper shaft. i needed a puller to get the pittman arm off. we cleaned up the shaft and pittman arm, the woodruff key way was not messed up. i replaced the key, all back together. time will tell the story. i have alot of other work to do on it before it can be used again.