Ford 841 Power Steering Valve Nut Adjustment

[strum456]

New Holland (841) - 4 CYL AG TRACTOR ALL PURPOSE (1/58-12/64) Parts Diagrams

Does anyone know the procedure for tightening #43 "Bearing Lock Nut"?

My manual says to "tighten it until firm, then back it off 1/6th of a turn".

My power steering was really sluggish. It took a lot of force to turn the wheel, and you couldn't turn it very fast. This was especially irritating when trying to make a quick turn when backing up a wagon or raking hay.

I decided to try tightening nut #43. Just by testing it in the garage, the steering seems to have improved. I turned it 1/6th turn tighter than it was, but I was wondering if anyone knows the correct procedure.

 

[Ultradog MN]

If you have gone through the work of pulling the steering wheel and getting the tin off you might as well pull the hydraulic block and clean/inspect the springs and plungers in there.
Also, you want to install new upper and lower seals since you are in there that far.

 

[RickB]

You quoted the procedure. That’s it. It was the 1950’s.

 

[strum456]

If you have gone through the work of pulling the steering wheel and getting the tin off you might as well pull the hydraulic block and clean/inspect the springs and plungers in there.
Also, you want to install new upper and lower seals since you are in there that far.

Done. I'm just not sure what is meant by the word "firm". Would that be referring to tightness on the wrench, or is it tightness on the bearings, like the castellated nut on a wheel bearing, for example. Should I flatten out that belleville washer and then back off the nut 1/6th, or would that be hard on the bearings?