L245 Steering Box

[RMEADOWS]

My L245 has quite a bit of play in the steering. After replacing ball joints it's much better but I'm still not happy with the amount of play I have.

Have y'all had any luck getting the steering box rebuilt and what kind of cost am I looking at?

Thanks!

Roger

 

[njrqs]

There have been some other posts about water getting into the steering boxes on L185's, which I think are the same.

Maybe you have some water problems in there.

Never did find out how the water gets in, or how to get it out.

Maybe someone can help us here????

 

[kubmech]

Been a while since I messed with a 245 steering box so bear with me. I think you have an adjustment on the gearbox for taking up backlash on the gears. Should be a threaded rod with a screwdriver slot and a jamnut. Loosen the jam nut and turn the rod counter clock wise and see if that takes the play out. Don't make it too tight, just enough to take out the play. There is also a possibility that the lower bearing/bushing is worn in the box. The water usually sneaks in down the shaft from the steering wheel. Espescially if the steering wheel center cover is missing. Anyway, taking up the backlash is usually a temporary fix due to wear in the gears. It's usually more cost effective just to replace the entire steering box if it is worn to this point.

 

[Chris99320]

Neil, (and others)
I was just looking at the steering box on my L185 the other day. Where the steering wheel tube meets with the steering box there is a little label that says "Water Drain". It looks like there is a little weep hole that needs periodic cleaning. Is that true Kubmech? The gear oil fill hole for the box is on the top left of the steering box. I will try to get a picture of this and post it.

 

[RMEADOWS]

I see the screw when I pop of the rubber cover on the right side of the tractor. I do not see a nut to loosen. Do I need to tak off the metal cover to do this?

Thanks!

 

[RMEADOWS]

I'll look for that. My 245 was kept outside before I got it so no lables are left!

 

[kubmech]

Sorry guys, I'm shooting from the hip a little due to early stages of CRS. I'll try to have a look at one tommorow to refresh my memory.

 

[RMEADOWS]

I figured it out. The plug I was looking at acually is the nut....

I adjusted it and got a little better steering, but it looks like I'll be needed a rebuild on the box soon

 

[kubmech]

That's it. Looked at one in the book today. The play spec for the steering is 13/16 - 2" in case you're interested.

 

[RMEADOWS]

How/where do you mesure that?

 

[kubmech]

Circumference of the steering wheel. Movement of the wheel before the steering linkage {pitman arm} starts to move.

 

[Vibratek99571]

I am rebuilding (on the cheap) the steering box on an L245 right now. The excess play is probably due to a thrust bearing failure (either upper or lower) on the steering wheel shaft down in the gearbox. The upper thrust bearing dropped all the balls out, allowing right turns only. I used the brakes to get it back to the barn, with the help of a counterweight to get the weight off the front wheels.