I have a B 7200 kubota that is in really good shape. The steering wheel has got to much play in it from point to point. The book says it should be adjusted to no more than 2 inches free play. Currently i have a little over 4 inches. I loosened the lock nut on the steering box and turned the screw in to take out some of the free play. Problem is now the screw is in so far there are no threads sticking out to tighten the lock nut on. Can anyone give me some input on this? Thanks in advance,,,,,,,bedway
steering ajustment
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Soundguy
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Sounds like there was alot of sector backlash and it took all or most of the adjustment available. Can you get a thinner nut.. like a pal or locking nut.
soundguy
soundguy
No i cant. After i adjusted the screw in, there is not enough of the screw sticking out, (with threads) to start the nut on to lock the screw in place. Im not familiar with a steering box adjustment. Is it just a matter of taking the screw out and replaceing it with a longer screw so more will stick out to thread the lock nut onto? As is evident, im only a back yard mechanic, and tractors are not my specialty. bedway
Soundguy
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It's likely that the adjustment stud is linked to the sector gear with a slotted clevis or similar 'slip' type joint.. so no.. it's not a matter of putting a 'longer' bolt in.
You really should own a service manual and owners manual for your tractor.. an exploded parts diagram would help you visulize the steering components.
I think I'd find a nut of the same thread pitch and grind it flat on one side so that it engaged the threads immediatly.,, that way.. if you have even 1-2 threads on that stud exposed.. it might grab them... only other option is to adjust the stud out to a minimum distance so the nut will grab and see what play that gives you... I'm surprised that the stud will adjsut in far enough so that the locknut won't grab it.. IE.. I'm surprised there was that much play.
Does the steering wheel rise and fall as you steer lock to lock? if so.. thrust bearings are out.. repalce and readjust.
steering stiff now? if so.. sector backlash may be adjsuted too much.
check other steering components for play like tie rod ends.. etc..
soundguy
You really should own a service manual and owners manual for your tractor.. an exploded parts diagram would help you visulize the steering components.
I think I'd find a nut of the same thread pitch and grind it flat on one side so that it engaged the threads immediatly.,, that way.. if you have even 1-2 threads on that stud exposed.. it might grab them... only other option is to adjust the stud out to a minimum distance so the nut will grab and see what play that gives you... I'm surprised that the stud will adjsut in far enough so that the locknut won't grab it.. IE.. I'm surprised there was that much play.
Does the steering wheel rise and fall as you steer lock to lock? if so.. thrust bearings are out.. repalce and readjust.
steering stiff now? if so.. sector backlash may be adjsuted too much.
check other steering components for play like tie rod ends.. etc..
soundguy
Soundguy
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Sounds like lots of sector backlash then, if the steering whell don't rise, and the rst of the steering components are not worn.. Other issue could be badle worn sector busing allowing front to rear movement of the sector gear and arm before rotational movement begins..
soundguy
soundguy
Egon
Epic Contributor
At this point it may be best to just rebuild the steering box.
RalphVa
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There's probably a nut on the steering gearbox that holds a big screw in place. Loosen the nut and tighten the screw tightly then back off a tad. Had to do this on my Benz after about 140k miles or so. Hopefully, your tractor has such an adjustment.
Ralph
Ralph
Soundguy
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No need to rebuild a box if it can be brought into tolerance with built in adjustment.
when it's too wore to adjust... or it breaks.. then you rebuild them...
Single and double sector gear steering boxes with recirculating ballnuts and wormshafts are realitively easy to rebuild and time with simple hand tools.
soundugy
when it's too wore to adjust... or it breaks.. then you rebuild them...
Single and double sector gear steering boxes with recirculating ballnuts and wormshafts are realitively easy to rebuild and time with simple hand tools.
soundugy
Egon
Epic Contributor
The manual steering boxes on some of the small kubotas take a heck of a beating. This is exacerbated by front end loaders.
They are quite simple to pull off, take apart and check out. The chances are excellent that some worn parts will lead to more worn parts etc. It may also be noted that the most expensive parts are those that appear to wear first. So, if its apart and needs some parts why not do a proper job of it now instead of next year and the following year. etc. etc.
The owner may want to put a few hours on his machine and good tight steering is always enjoyable!
Over 3000 hours of operating time the gearbox on my Kubota B7100 was rebuilt twice and may have been indicating another was in the offing.
Send me a message with your email and I can send the details for a Kubota B7100 steering gear box.
They are quite simple to pull off, take apart and check out. The chances are excellent that some worn parts will lead to more worn parts etc. It may also be noted that the most expensive parts are those that appear to wear first. So, if its apart and needs some parts why not do a proper job of it now instead of next year and the following year. etc. etc.
The owner may want to put a few hours on his machine and good tight steering is always enjoyable!
Over 3000 hours of operating time the gearbox on my Kubota B7100 was rebuilt twice and may have been indicating another was in the offing.
Send me a message with your email and I can send the details for a Kubota B7100 steering gear box.
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Soundguy
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Hmm.. iI've rebuilt plenty of manual steering boxes...and in all the ones I've rebuilt.. it's usually the -cheap- 'replaceable wear' parts that wore first.. like seals, bearings /races, and bushings. Not the expensive parts like the wormshafts and the sector gears.
In cases of operater abuse and lack of maintenance.. like no lube.. the wear parts seem to wear real fast.. and if not serviced. then the spendy parts take the abuse..
So, if its apart and needs some parts why not do a proper job of it now instead of next year and the following year. etc. etc.
If it needs parts.. sure.. put them in... if it merely needs adjustment.. why take it apart. Many boxes have built in mechanisms to take up sector backlash resulting from bushing wear.. like adjuster studs.. or eccentric housings that can be rotated...
wear in thrust bearings.. would deffinately requre repalcement as there's no -good- practical way to bring them back into tolerance.
The owner may want to put a few hours on his machine and good tight steering is always enjoyable!
Which might be accomplished with a few minutes of adjustment.. vs hours of rebuilding.
never hurts to crack the service manual and check. Prudence may pay off thru research.
soundguy
Egon
Epic Contributor
Sounds good sound guy but don't necessarily wash for the steering gear box in question.
Didn't the OP say he was out of adjustment range??
Now there are several questions.
On these machines you have that last forever why do they need rebuilding?
If you have rebuilt many is that because you do not service them properly?
Any real farmer knows his tractor has gotta have reliable steering cause if that fails and it's critical window time for crops he's in trouble!
Some real farmers will even replace equipment parts that are not worn out because he needs reliable equipment for the upcoming year.
Didn't the OP say he was out of adjustment range??
Now there are several questions.
On these machines you have that last forever why do they need rebuilding?
If you have rebuilt many is that because you do not service them properly?
Any real farmer knows his tractor has gotta have reliable steering cause if that fails and it's critical window time for crops he's in trouble!
Some real farmers will even replace equipment parts that are not worn out because he needs reliable equipment for the upcoming year.
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Soundguy
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I disagree.. while there are some specific differences between boxes.. the general procedures to recon a manual steering box that uses a recirculating ballnut, sector gears and shafts and a wormshaft, are, essentially the same. Just a little procedure and aprts difference.
Didn't the OP say he was out of adjustment range??
I didn't see that specific quote. Though I do see where he adjusted it but was perhaps having problems getting the original lock nut back on... suggesting he is likely at the very limit of the range of adjustment available... If there are any threads sticking out still.. he can try a pall nut, or make a flat face nut with immediate threads and no bulge befroe the threads.. if he can get either of those threaded on, and was able to bring steering back into tolerance per the book... he's at least good for now, with only that simple adjustment. obviously when it wears more, he will need to rebuild it. And if he can't fit the nut on.. then it will need rebuilding.
I expect a red herring crack like that outta you... I never said they last forever.. However.. lots of tractors running around today fromt he 50's and earlier.. and yes.. i feel they were built better than many machines being turned out today. I don't expect todays crop of machines to last like yesteryears crop of machines... IE.. I don't expect to routinely get 60-70 years out of a NH TC-30...
Because previous owners apparently never did preventative maintenance on them.. OR.. they just plain wore thru their adjustment after multiple decades of use. IE.. normal wear on 'wear' parts.
If you have rebuilt many is that because you do not service them properly?
Again.. i expect wisecrack content free posts like this from you.
Remember.. I buy old antique tractors then restore them...the oldies come in in bad shape.. then get rebuilt. If I buy a 60 year old tractor with a worn steering box and rebuild it, it's not because 'I' didn't maintain it well for the first 50 years of it's life before 'I' owned it. But then.. I don't expect you to understand the serial nature of time.
Any real farmer knows his tractor has gotta have reliable steering cause if that fails and it's critical window time for crops he's in trouble!
No argument there...
Some real farmers will even replace equipment parts that are not worn out because he needs reliable equipment for the upcoming year.
None their either.
soundguy
Egon
Epic Contributor
Quote:
Originally Posted by Egon
Any real farmer knows his tractor has gotta have reliable steering cause if that fails and it's critical window time for crops he's in trouble!
No argument there...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Egon
Some real farmers will even replace equipment parts that are not worn out because he needs reliable equipment for the upcoming year.
None their either.
So what have you been trying to say???
Oh, if you missed it!
[QUOTEProblem is now the screw is in so far there are no threads sticking out to tighten the lock nut on. Can anyone give me some input on this? ][/quote]
Yup, right in the first post by the OP.
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Egon
Epic Contributor
Is that a reversible statement taking previous statements from you in consideration?
Just a quick update with my steering box problem. I did take a nut and grind the face flat. This allowed me to get a slight bit more of adjustment and catch a couple of threads to lock it. Hopefully this will hold up till this dang snow goes away and then ill have the time to pull it apart and replace any worn parts,,,,,,,,,,to be continued
Soundguy
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Glad the nut-grind trick worked for you.
Keep us in the loop when you go in to renew the box.
soundguy
Keep us in the loop when you go in to renew the box.
soundguy
Ok, latest update at the risk of slight embaressment to myself. I went out and did some more snow moveing, Of which by the way (enough is enough)!!! Anywho i digress. When i brought the tractor back in the garage i noticed a faint clicking sound as the steering wheel is turned, stop to stop. After positioning this old body, and further scrutiny, this time with the added use of glasses, yes in fact the steering colume is moveing up and down when turned stop to stop. This leads me to believe its a thrust bushing problem. You see guys, i am learning. That old (you cant teach an old dog),,,,,,,let me see, hows it go? Seriously, i really do appreciate the help guys,,,,to be continued! bedway
Soundguy
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Hopefully they are thrust bearings.. and if you hear clicking.. they probably are.
When you open it up.. rememebr to fish all the old rollers out if any of the cages fell apart.
soundguy
When you open it up.. rememebr to fish all the old rollers out if any of the cages fell apart.
soundguy
Well heres the latest on my steering problem. Got the steering box off the tractor and on the bench after a few hours of aggravation. After smashing my thumb nail and several cuss words im ready to take it apart. Tore it apart and cleaned things,and commenced inspection. The bearings are bad, of which a few were broken. Further investigation showed the steering shaft the bearings ride on is eating into. Looked in the parts schematics and all they show is the steering tube assembly, not just the shaft that goes thru the tube. I called messicks for a price and was told $500.00 plus for the tube assembly. Talk about sticker shock!!!!!!!!! Im still speechless,,,,,,,bedway
