Steering wheel play

[Cbrown9064]

I think my next project on the 861 is the steering system. There is some play in the wheel, and want to see what you guys think. I recently filled the box with 00EP grease and it seemed to help the effort a bit.

Here is a link to a video of the play. This is without moving the arms at all.

861 Steering wheel play - YouTube

When parked, it is harder to turn to the left than the right. Adding the grease helped this, but there is more effort needed and it kind of "sticks" when turning left. For instance, if you are turning the wheel to the right it feels more free and "bounces back" when released. When turning to the left it sticks in position when you let it go instead of recoiling. This is all with it parked on cement with no load on the 3 point.

When moving it steers very easy with no hint of binding.

So, I am wondering what the issues might be and is it something to be concerned with?

Thanks!
Chris

 

[Cvans]

There is a good possibility that some one has adjusted the free play in the steering gear box and gotten it a little too tight. Your steering gears tend too wear more in the center than the ends. If too much slack is taken out in the center the steering will tend to bind when turning the wheel all the way to the right or left.
This is generally the way it works. I have not worked on your model of tractor so check that it can in fact be adjusted. From what can be seen in the video it doesn't appear that you have much slop in your steering.

 

[Soundguy]

while it could be a tight backlash adjustment inthe center.

I'd check to see if the steering wheel rises and falls when turned lock to lock. many time the upper thrust bearings in these let go. allows play. and hard steering in one direction.

post back observations.

 

[Cbrown9064]

while it could be a tight backlash adjustment inthe center.

I'd check to see if the steering wheel rises and falls when turned lock to lock. many time the upper thrust bearings in these let go. allows play. and hard steering in one direction.

post back observations.

Thanks! Will do... It will be a couple weeks before I get back over there (Lake) to check it out again.

 

[Soundguy]

no prob.

them manual stering boxes are some of the easiest i have ever rebuilt. done probably all of them on my smaler non ps fords.

 

[Cvans]

them manual stering boxes are some of the easiest i have ever rebuilt

That's good to know.

 

[Cbrown9064]

Finally got back to the tractor after 5+ months. FWIW...pull on choke hit starter and it popped right off!

Now the steering. Yes, when turning to the left, when it "binds" the steering wheel starts to rise. Probably rises 1/4" or so.

Since it is so far from home (300 miles), are there some parts I should order before tearing in to this so I can fix all at once? Or is it best to tear apart and see what the issue is?

Have it wiggled in to a weird space in the shop that is really meant for the lawn tractor to gain space over the winter. Need to get it out of there before I can pull the tin off...

After reading some posts and my FO-20 some, it is probably the bearings. Can a person procure locally at an auto parts store? Or are the some weird bearing and race? Said another way I could get front spindle wheel bearings in town. Are these like that?

A bit confused by the whole shimming thing. Is it possible to just get in, renew bearings and get out? Or do I need to disassemble and "reset" everything?

Probably will make a lot more sense when I get it apart...

 

[jeff pk]

You will likely need thrust bearings---they take upper and lower sets, and be sure to buy metal ones. There are cheap plastic ones out there.

 

[Soundguy]

in post #3 I specifically mentioned if the steering wheel rose / fell into column and that it was hard to turn one direction that you had thrust bearings that were gone......

 

[Cbrown9064]

in post #3 I specifically mentioned if the steering wheel rose / fell into column and that it was hard to turn one direction that you had thrust bearings that were gone......

Yep, roger...

Now wondering if I can procure these bearings at an auto parts store (cross reference) or if I need to order them special...