Oliver 55 front end alignment

[dbuelke]

My Oliver Super 55 is difficult to turn to the left while operating, but easier/normal to the right . When I raise the front end, however, it turns with ease in either direction and the steering wheel is centered. The toe-in is correct as far as factory recommendations, but there is a little play in the entire steering mechanism. My sense is that there is an inadequate bite at the left wheel when turning and that the two wheels are in a tug-a-war for control, but I can't pinpoint the problem. Is anyone aware of a guide for troubleshooting simple front-end alignment like this?

 

[zzvyb6]

Alignment problems won't give you that much asymmetry. Is this a power assisted steering gear or a manual (non-hydraulic) unit? Either way, I'd check the steering gearbox for grease/oil or the freeplay adjuster is too tight. Once the worm gear parts are worn, the adjuster screw on the gear will take out the play but seize up the steering in one direction.

If its an integral hydraulic gear (like a truck's) a seal inside is leaking. If its an auxilliary cylinder (external assist), there is also an internal hydraulic problem. Could be low pump pressure, too.

Disconnect a tie rod from a steering knuckle to see if its actually one of the kingpins.

 

[oldtractors]

I would guess a thrust washer or bearing is bad or misadjusted in the steering gearbox.

 

[dbuelke]

Thanks fellas,

I was afraid of that, but hoping someone had a thought that would avoid tearing into the gear box. It's manual steering, Saginaw Steering Gear, recirculating ball principle and requires removing the hood, gas tank, and dash panel to access the gear box, so it will have to wait until later when I won't need it for a month.

BTW, once I access and diagnose the problem(s), do you have any suggestions for finding parts for this > 50-year old Oliver?

Thanks to both of you.

Don

 

[KWentling]

Thanks fellas,


BTW, once I access and diagnose the problem(s), do you have any suggestions for finding parts for this > 50-year old Oliver?

Thanks to both of you.

Don

AGCO dealer may or may not be able to get them.

Kim

 

[zzvyb6]

Its the same gear that would be in an older manual steering truck or car. Junk yards ought to have at least one for you. You can also consider putting in a power recirculating ball gear from a GM truck or C or B body car. Get the pump, too. All the Saginaw 800 series gears have the same bolt pattern so it should drop right in.

This also means you could rebuild your gear from parts of the junkyard dog. Don't loose the balls !

 

[mikegt4]

I just stumbled across this thread, although it's a couple of months old I thought that I should reply. I have a Oliver Super 55 that had similar steering problems, it would turn easily in one direction and not in the other. It eventually degraded to the point that it was almost impossible to turn in the "hard" direction. I dissassembled the steering box and found that the lower shaft bearing had rusted into nothing allowing the upper bearing balls to come loose and fall into the sector teeth. It's a common problem on S55/550 Olivers as water works down the steering column. Depending on which of the several steering gear versions you have, parts can be easy or hard to find. There are plastic replacement lower bearings available that will withstand water intrusion. Some of the internal parts are the same as a Ford 8N but the box (built by Saginaw) is particular to Oliver. I post some photos of my box disassembled on the Yesterday's tractors "parts and pieces" forum as "1957 oliver s55-steering box parts". The box is not hard to rebuild, just a pain to get out of the tractor.

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