Fix for sloppy tilt steering wheel on a budget JD 4310

wuntun · Jan 20, 2018

This 'fix' might not be for everyone, but since the parts to repair a sloppy loose steering wheel exceed $200 ($338 for whole tilt assembly) for a JD 4310 or most 4x10 and 4x00, I decided, why not try it. I used strips from a cut up spray paint can, and put 4 in at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. Formed in a 'u' shape for the top, and the spring holds strips in place. One might ask, why not use a whole sleeve approach with the shim? Well the 'shim' paint can material is/was the thinnest material I could find, (a spray paint can is deceivingly very very thin) and I could not get a whole sleeve in, it was just too tight. If you use plenty of white lith grease, the tilt mech. will still work up and down, with a slight more resistance. My steering wheel had over 1" of play at the wheel lip, up and down and side to side, and now only 1/4" in any direction. Will see with time if it holds up, but I cannot see why not, as it only 'sees' movement when moving the tilt position, in which I hardly ever adjust. NOTE: make sure spring 'holds' shims in place, because they will walk out, every time the tilt is adjusted, if not retained.

4get gto · Jan 21, 2018

You got a good fix there. Two owner's from now will take that apart for whatever reason and say WTH.

cliftoncburton · Jan 25, 2018

arcuriel · Jan 4, 2019

cliftoncburton said:
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I have a 4310 and my steering wheel flops around. It is completely broken. The locking latch is also cracked. I have several questions I was hoping to get some help with.

1. Is there a set of instruction on how to get everything apart to access the tilt assembly. Does anyone have any advice of recommended tool list?
2. Can the wheel be "fixed" so it is locked in one place?

Any additional help of this subject would help before I start tearing it apart.

Thanks

joecdeere · Jan 4, 2019

I have a PDF of the tech manual you are welcome to, shoot me your email if wanted

Joe

arcuriel · Jan 4, 2019

ar_curiel at yahoo.com (it will not let me post links until I have more posts)

joecdeere · Jan 5, 2019

Should be in your email

arcuriel · Jan 5, 2019

Thanks a bunch!

pmsmechanic · Jan 5, 2019

Good idea! The tilt mechanism a poor design on an otherwise great tractor.

BRAAP · Dec 28, 2023

(Apologies for the Necro post, but still a relevant problem and this is a good thread on the topic).

Bought our 4310 NEW in '04, LOVE this little tractor. Within the first year we started experiencing the Tilt wheel lock loosing teeth, finally down to the only catch is the very bottom which we cant use as our legs wont fit under the steering wheel that low and the seat suspension height adjusted proper, so today disassembled the cowling to see exactly what is amiss and per exploded parts view, (thank you Randy), #33 (part# LVU 16996) busted its teeth on each side, AND #29 (part# LVU 11559), had busted all but the final bottom catch on both sides. Quick search online was able to find the exact John Deere parts numbers listed then on eBay was able to find those components. At the time this is being posted price for #33 the collar is $95.30, and #29 the lower guide bases, (#29 is a paired set, sold as pair), $53.94.
Parts arrived, installed, oh so happy to have my steering wheel not flop around.

Now if I can break the bad habit of using the steering wheel as a grab-handle when I get on and off the tractor I shouldn't have to replace these components again.
The work is fairly straight forward getting the steering system disassembled and reassembled, though getting the tilt handle lever reengaged on the collar during assembly!?

...took a little bit and a few a colorful metaphors. Didn't find any real "trick" to it, just back and forth side to side with flashlights, mirrors, a borescope camera and mostly just lucky working it in Braille.
Hope this helps someone experiencing the same issue with these weak tilt-wheel mechanisms.
Now to solve when my diff lock just barely engages, (been getting worse over the years, like something is bending... inspected the pedal and external linkage which is all fine, must be internal?...)