Kubota B7100 Steering box

[Pacific Pete]

Kubota B7100 1100 hours.

Hi Guys have had this tractor for 20 years now. Bought it used at 300 hours, and it has been well maintained,and serviced all its life.

Pushing snow the other day the steering became stiff, and a cracking sound came out of the steering box. I had just changed the oil ,and winterized the tractor. So we ripped it apart and found the upper trust bearing in the steering box had let go, allowing the ball bearings to migrate into the areas below.

After getting all the parts out I find the steering shaft ,that the steering wheel, attaches to has also been damaged. Went to the dealer for parts and I find this shaft is no longer available as a spare part.

Anybody out there that can suggest a place to look for this part, or a substiute used part, would be greatly appreciated.

Tractor still runs well and is ued around here daily for snow removal, rototilling and cutting grass.

Thanks in advance Pacific pete

 

[Egon]

Try an auto wrecker and see if you can find a manual steering box that will fit in the old ones place. Might take some revising but may work. Some of the GM circulating ball power steering boxes would fit with no problem.

 

[charlz]

There's been more than a few threads on b7100 steering. When mine went out the only way I got one was out of some dealers in Texas back room. Must have been the last one.

One option is to go to power steering, couple threads on that.

This site:

Kubota Tractor Parts: Steering Parts || Weaver's Compact Tractor Parts & Compact Tractor Salvage

shows some steering parts for other tractors, maybe you will get lucky and can get one that's close in length or whatever and have it modified to fit. If you go that route please post the info.

 

[Soundguy]

What's damaged about the steering wormshaft? The area where the bearing rides? I'd sleave it.. or weld it up and then turn it true.

I've got a ford 8n that's had it's steering wormshaft fixed that way... 20$ vs 250$

soundguy

 

[Kernopelli]

Give these folks a call, if you scroll down the page you will see they carry some old Kubota steering parts.

Little Miami Trading Company - Tractor Parts Books

 

[myyaz33]

Don't have the Kubota B6100 anymore, but I bought the whole replacement assembly from the link below for $135(bottom of page). It should also fit the B7100, I think..

No way would I spend $400 that the Little Miami Trading Company wants for one. (Call me frugal!)

Kubota

 

[charlz]

What's damaged about the steering wormshaft? The area where the bearing rides? I'd sleave it.. or weld it up and then turn it true.

I've got a ford 8n that's had it's steering wormshaft fixed that way... 20$ vs 250$

soundguy

I kept my old one, will have to look at it again. I think the key problem was that when the upper thrust bearing dissolved it toasted the 'ball nut' and bearings/races... which is what damaged the shaft (bad nicks). The site I posted sells a nut and bearing/race kit by themselves. Have to measure and see if that is a workable replacement or not for the b7100. Likely the nut doesn't really get damaged and a guy could get away with new/repaired worm shaft and bearings/races.

 

[Soundguy]

Bearing race? Big deal.. snatch or weld it out and replace.. that's why cups are replaceable..

Ballnut.. permanently damaged by the upper thrust bearing disintegrated.. ok.. but I've never seen that on any steering box I've ever rebuilt that used a recirculating ballnut.. and every one of them had a thrust bearing in some state of damage from near good to nonexistant.

nicks on the shaft? where? 95% of the shaft is not a contact surface so nicks don't count. nicks on a bearing surface can be fixed by sleave or build/cut.

post back some details.. unless you are just dead set on $$$BUYING$$$ a replacement, vs FIX$ING your current one.

soundguy

 

[Pacific Pete]

Thanks for all the replies,and suggestions.

I took the steering shaft to a machine shop today. They are going to rebuild the bearing surface on the shaft, by welding, and then turning it down to fit the new bearing. Cost estimate is $100.00.

I bought new bearings and seals at a bearing supply store, so will be set to go, once I put it together.

Kubota dealers around here ,were helpful, but only on new parts. There is a substitute,steering shaft that is still available, but it is 3/4 longer, which is no big deal. Cost 255.00 from Kubota.

Had this tractor for over 25 years now, so it is time to look for a newer version of Kubota.

Thanks for your help and relplies, they were a big help. Happy New Year to all Pacific pete

 

[charlz]

Bearing race? Big deal.. snatch or weld it out and replace.. that's why cups are replaceable..

I meant the 'races' (tubes) for the recirculating bearings.

Ballnut.. permanently damaged by the upper thrust bearing disintegrated.. ok.. but I've never seen that on any steering box I've ever rebuilt that used a recirculating ballnut.. and every one of them had a thrust bearing in some state of damage from near good to nonexistant.

My old ballnut does appear to have some superficial nicks in it. I think the key problem is between the nicks on the shaft and the damage to the tubes bearings were allowed to slip out. If you assemble my old one and run it back and forth a bit bearings start falling out of it.

nicks on the shaft? where? 95% of the shaft is not a contact surface so nicks don't count. nicks on a bearing surface can be fixed by sleave or build/cut.

What do you mean by 'sleeve'?

post back some details.. unless you are just dead set on $$$BUYING$$$ a replacement, vs FIX$ING your current one.

Well, I am not the OP... my tractor works I am just curious because I think I bought the last new b7100 ball nut assembly in existence. I also recently acquired a small lathe so I am curious now if I can fix my old one.

 

[charlz]

Kubota dealers around here ,were helpful, but only on new parts. There is a substitute,steering shaft that is still available, but it is 3/4 longer, which is no big deal. Cost 255.00 from Kubota.

Is that a part for another tractor that can be used on the b7100? If so do you have the part number and what tractors it is actually for?

 

[myyaz33]

I understand the notion to fix it if you can, but if the local shop is estimating $100 plus you have to buy the bearings, why would you not buy a new complete assembly for $135 like I did for my B6100. I am ALMOST positive they use the same part and can be found at the bottom of this website.

store.telepak.net/samstractors/page52.html

I can't seem to find my old one to look at but when I removed it I felt it was in bad enough shape that trying to fix it wouldn't be worth it considering the price for a new one.

 

[Soundguy]

Wow.. that ballnut must have seen some horrible abuse and lack of maintenance ( lube ) for the wraparound tubes to have disintegrated!!

Google spedi sleave

it's a sleave to slip over a shaft to repair a groved area.

soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

I guess if yuor machine shop is 'poking' you for as much money to fix the old one as purchasing a new one.. then yeah.. I'd repalce.. Like I said.. last time I fixed one in a ford was 20$ from the local machinist / weld shop. Maybe ford's just easier to work on

soundguy

I understand the notion to fix it if you can, but if the local shop is estimating $100 plus you have to buy the bearings, why would you not buy a new complete assembly for $135 like I did for my B6100. I am ALMOST positive they use the same part and can be found at the bottom of this website.

store.telepak.net/samstractors/page52.html

I can't seem to find my old one to look at but when I removed it I felt it was in bad enough shape that trying to fix it wouldn't be worth it considering the price for a new one.

 

[myyaz33]

Wow.. that ballnut must have seen some horrible abuse and lack of maintenance ( lube ) for the wraparound tubes to have disintegrated!!

Google spedi sleave

it's a sleave to slip over a shaft to repair a groved area.

soundguy

in my case, i think you are right. Not but a few months after I got my used B6100D did the steering go out. When I looked at the case, it was almost completely dry with oil. Everything else seemed well maintained on it but this must have been overlooked for many any years. I think the loader really causes turning stress on these particular units and couple that with no lube it becomes clear why all the B7100 owners want to add power steering.

 

[charlz]

Wow.. that ballnut must have seen some horrible abuse and lack of maintenance ( lube ) for the wraparound tubes to have disintegrated!!

Just the tips where they align the balls to the grooves on the shaft. Sort of a chicken and the egg scenario, not sure what damaged what but the shaft grooves, ball nut groves and tips of the tubes were all damaged. I think the key problem is the shaft seal goes bad and water gets in the gear box and the upper thrust bearing starts dropping pieces into the ball nut. When I got my tractor I really never though about changing the fluid in the steering box. That's why whenever someone posts about b7100 steering 'popping' or 'sticking' or whatever I tell them to get in there ASAP to change the thrust bearings... I learned the expensive way

 

[Soundguy]

Yep.. on fords, the sector shaft seals let go and lube leaks out to that level, meaning the upper thrust bearing goes dry. Ballnut generally stays lubed, as the ballnut travels to at least the level of the forward sector gear, and it carries oil to it, and the recirculating balls stay lubed. I've rarely seen water in a ford steering box unless the machine was submerged. In any case.. once the upper thrust bearing dies, it lets the ballnut have lots of play where it engages the sector gear.. this adds stress.. if there is a loader.. that's even more stress. Add to the fact that it's a smaller machine anyway, and newer.. and generally has smaller parts than a larger or older machine.. those smaller parts don't hold up under wear as well. The external ball races are beefy and made of quite high quality steel.. I've seen ballnuts taken apart that need the bearing balls replaced from rust or pits, yet the metal shells be pristine.. go figure! An old ford box can run decades on no oil with little damage to the ballnut, sector gears or steeirng shaft.. save the bearing surface, which can be fixed... though they get stiff to turn, and sloppy as all get out.. seal diameters on the sector shafts can and do wear leading some people to braze them up and turn them down, or sleave.. or simply fill the box with light grease like a NLGI 00# grease (which was a ford service idea anyway in 1962 according to service bulletin ).

I have seen sheet metal damage that pushes the hood back, which in turn puts stress ont he steering column, which then breaks the wormshaft.. seen that plenty of times..

soundguy

 

[lake rat]

Yep.. on fords, the sector shaft seals let go and lube leaks out to that level, meaning the upper thrust bearing goes dry. Ballnut generally stays lubed, as the ballnut travels to at least the level of the forward sector gear, and it carries oil to it, and the recirculating balls stay lubed. I've rarely seen water in a ford steering box unless the machine was submerged. In any case.. once the upper thrust bearing dies, it lets the ballnut have lots of play where it engages the sector gear.. this adds stress.. if there is a loader.. that's even more stress. Add to the fact that it's a smaller machine anyway, and newer.. and generally has smaller parts than a larger or older machine.. those smaller parts don't hold up under wear as well. The external ball races are beefy and made of quite high quality steel.. I've seen ballnuts taken apart that need the bearing balls replaced from rust or pits, yet the metal shells be pristine.. go figure! An old ford box can run decades on no oil with little damage to the ballnut, sector gears or steeirng shaft.. save the bearing surface, which can be fixed... though they get stiff to turn, and sloppy as all get out.. seal diameters on the sector shafts can and do wear leading some people to braze them up and turn them down, or sleave.. or simply fill the box with light grease like a NLGI 00# grease (which was a ford service idea anyway in 1962 according to service bulletin ).

I have seen sheet metal damage that pushes the hood back, which in turn puts stress ont he steering column, which then breaks the wormshaft.. seen that plenty of times..

soundguy

Steering box repair for Kubota B6100/7100: Check UK supplier for parts?

I had this exact problem develop last summer. Received a lot of good advice here at TBN and spent hours identifying/following up for parts sources. NOBODY in the US had 'em (even if their web site indicated otherwise). Desperate, after dozens of call and email exchanges I found them at a UK supplier:

Newlands Groundcare <sales@newlandsgroundcare.com

Happy to report that the transaction (I chose PAYPAL) went smoothly. Parts were timely direct shipped to my local Kubota Dealer as agreed and my old B7100 is back in business.

Incidentally, This site has a pretty straight forward "guide" for rebuilding the steering box yourself. Ultimately, I knew when I was licked and had the pros at My local Kubota dealer do the work. (I have more guts than brains, mechanical savvy or $. Though I've been able to "fix" a lot of stuff over the years by just tearing in to it, after spending $40 or $50 on new small parts I gave up. Matthew in the service dept. at Coleman Equipment shot straight with me too on this end.

(I'm not a dealer and have no interest in these guy's business. Tony at Newlands was practical, service oriented and delivered as promised. Given the fits I had with my situation and the 6 months down time, I appreciated the help he offered and the fair price. Hope I can help Tony sell a few parts and help someone here on TBN avoid months of down time and frustration.)

 

[lake rat]

Steering box repair for Kubota B6100/7100: Check UK supplier for parts?

I had this exact problem develop last summer. Received a lot of good advice here at TBN and spent hours identifying/following up for parts sources. NOBODY in the US had 'em (even if their web site indicated otherwise). Desperate, after dozens of call and email exchanges I found them at a UK supplier:

Newlands Groundcare <sales@newlandsgroundcare.com

Happy to report that the transaction (I chose PAYPAL) went smoothly. Parts were timely direct shipped to my local Kubota Dealer as agreed and my old B7100 is back in business.

Incidentally, This site has a pretty straight forward "guide" for rebuilding the steering box yourself. Ultimately, I knew when I was licked and had the pros at My local Kubota dealer do the work. (I have more guts than brains, mechanical savvy or $. Though I've been able to "fix" a lot of stuff over the years by just tearing in to it, after spending $40 or $50 on new small parts I gave up. Matthew in the service dept. at Coleman Equipment shot straight with me too on this end.

(I'm not a dealer and have no interest in these guy's business. Tony at Newlands was practical, service oriented and delivered as promised. Given the fits I had with my situation and the 6 months down time, I appreciated the help he offered and the fair price. Hope I can help Tony sell a few parts and help someone here on TBN avoid months of down time and frustration.)
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Kubota B7100 1100 hours.

Hi Guys have had this tractor for 20 years now. Bought it used at 300 hours, and it has been well maintained,and serviced all its life.

Pushing snow the other day the steering became stiff, and a cracking sound came out of the steering box. I had just changed the oil ,and winterized the tractor. So we ripped it apart and found the upper trust bearing in the steering box had let go, allowing the ball bearings to migrate into the areas below.

After getting all the parts out I find the steering shaft ,that the steering wheel, attaches to has also been damaged. Went to the dealer for parts and I find this shaft is no longer available as a spare part.

Anybody out there that can suggest a place to look for this part, or a substiute used part, would be greatly appreciated.

Tractor still runs well and is ued around here daily for snow removal, rototilling and cutting grass.

Thanks in advance Pacific pete

 

[lake rat]

ps... for the newbies like me - I understand these old Kubota steering problems are a bit notorious...the rubber grommet at the top of the steering shaft fails allowing water to enter the steering box/upper thrust bearing. Over time it disintegrates and allows for the ensuing damage. The grommet is dirt cheap and super easy to replace. It was among the parts I could still get at my local Kubota dealer when the problem first developed.

_________________________

Steering box repair for Kubota B6100/7100: Check UK supplier for parts?

I had this exact problem develop last summer. Received a lot of good advice here at TBN and spent hours identifying/following up for parts sources. NOBODY in the US had 'em (even if their web site indicated otherwise). Desperate, after dozens of call and email exchanges I found them at a UK supplier:

Newlands Groundcare <sales@newlandsgroundcare.com

Happy to report that the transaction (I chose PAYPAL) went smoothly. Parts were timely direct shipped to my local Kubota Dealer as agreed and my old B7100 is back in business.

Incidentally, This site has a pretty straight forward "guide" for rebuilding the steering box yourself. Ultimately, I knew when I was licked and had the pros at My local Kubota dealer do the work. (I have more guts than brains, mechanical savvy or $. Though I've been able to "fix" a lot of stuff over the years by just tearing in to it, after spending $40 or $50 on new small parts I gave up. Matthew in the service dept. at Coleman Equipment shot straight with me too on this end.

(I'm not a dealer and have no interest in these guy's business. Tony at Newlands was practical, service oriented and delivered as promised. Given the fits I had with my situation and the 6 months down time, I appreciated the help he offered and the fair price. Hope I can help Tony sell a few parts and help someone here on TBN avoid months of down time and frustration.)
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