1950 cub steering play

[John Mathews]

How do I get the play out of 1950 cub steering?

[Slim140]

Could be a number of things. Could be the castle nut on the bottom is stripped, could be the shaft the castle nut is on is stripped, could be the key or keyway(s) are worn inside. Could be all that, could be something else. Simplest thing is try to tighten the castle nut on the bottom first and hope the threads are still in the nut and on the shaft. Could be the gears inside too, check the oil it may be full of water if the seal is bad around the steering shaft on top. May not have any water or oil in it if the seal is bad on the bottom.

[Urbish]

I disassembled the steering housing, marked the gear's relationship to the splined shaft, removed then reinstalled it 180º from the original position. I did the same with the steering shaft. The idea is that about 99% of the time the tractor is/was being driven straight ahead and those few teeth/that section of the worm gear see the most wear. Re-clocking them so that different teeth are in contact during straight ahead driving will be like having new steering gears.

[Urbish]

Here are a couple of threads with other info that you will want to read:

http://farmallcub.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=54483&p=450365

http://farmallcub.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=99414&p=784235

[Crimson Tim]

Could also be one end or the other of the tie rods being loose, or the set screw/key way loose or worn at the spindle.
Jack the front wheels off the ground and give them a wiggle. See what moves.