snap coupler bell housing spring

[onetotaltoolman]

ok - does anyone with a d series tractor have any pictures of the way the hook return spring is supposed to
be oriented in the bell housing? I tried to remove the housing to look at it on the bench, but the pivot pin attaching the bell
housing is frozen big time to the tranny housing. This is the two-wire spring with the shepards hook on the end of it. I think i see how this
is supposed to be installed, but it will be difficult to do without getting that pin out. Thanks for any insight!
 

[DrAllis]

[onetotaltoolman]

Boy, this ended well, but not without a fight. I decided to remove the bell housing, thinking it would be easier to study exactly how this spring went back in.
That was a great idea until realizing the 8 x 1 pin that held the bell housing to the tranny bottom was welded in place. i'll guess it was last touched in
1959 when it came off the assembly line. Torch, sweat, bad words and punches would not make this move. I finally cut it in half with a die grinder, welded nuts on
both ends, and bingo they broke loose. I should have take a couple of pics and posted them of an easy way to get the spring back in. Painted bell housing up,
ready to reinstall. All good . One other question for you, doc . I rebuilt the power steering unit . Upon reassembly, the actual steering column (where it goes
thru the small seal at the rear of the steering control valve. i replaced that small seal the the correct part number, but it is dripping. Dispair! Have to take
the unit out again, but i want to figure out what went wrong. New seal leak, already? i don't get it. Have you ever seen this happen on this seal?? thanks kirk
 

[DrAllis]

Since 1975, I've probably only had 8 or 10 of those control valves apart. Never had to redo one for anything. I'd get a jack directly under the bell housing and take some of the weight off the front wheels. Remove the radiator grille and grille shell. Remove the left side frame after loosening the bolts to the right side frame. Pull the steering shaft out of the way and dig that leaking seal out of its housing and install a new one in-chassis. Not saying this is easy, but sure beats taking it ALL APART again.