Steering play

[Jlpb61]

1947 cub
What is the expected play in the steering wheel?if And do all cub,s of this age have wabble in 3rd gear?

[Slim140]

If the steering hasn't been worked on before it could be as much as 1/2 a turn, of course you don't want that much. Less than 1/8 would be awesome. There is a lot that can be done to tighten the steering up though, the easiest thing to check is to make sure the castle nut under the steering box is tight on the arm but be careful, easy to strip the threads. Another thing is check the tie rod end play. The major undertaking is the inside of the gear box, the key could be worn.

[AL Farmall Boy]

I would work my way from the tie rods to the inside of the steering box. I've rebuilt them and they aren't that hard. Yes alot of times a steering box kit won't do the trick because that keyway is worn on the worm gear shaft. It can be recut larger at a machine shop, or the gear can be welded to the shaft. I've parted a few Cubs out and have found that gear already welded up. It makes for a tight steering box that should last the lifetime.

[Jlpb61]

Thanks i will check these out tonight. This is all new to me. So I may have more questions latter to day

[BIGHOSS]

Looks like you are not very far from Harrison OH. If you can wait , come over to the Barnyard Bash in early June. Lots of help will be there to tune up your steering and any other issues you might have.
http://www.barnyardbash.com/

[Jlpb61]

Thanks. I have all intentions of being there. I was looking at the web site Sunday and put it on my calendar. It is too close to miss.
Is there a local cub group also?

[Glen]

Hi,
Two places on the first Cubs that cause play in the steering can be the setscrews that hold the steering arms onto the spindle shafts. They are at the right and left ends of the front axle.
The setscrews have a taper on the ends, and screw into tapered holes. They wear some over the years, and this causes looseness, they need tightening regularly so they don't wear the parts from being loose.
Sometimes the tip breaks off the setscrew, then it needs repair.
Below are pics from TM Tractor showing the parts.

http://www.tmtractor.com/tm-tractor/gst ... lb_001.htm

To check for play, have someone turn the steering wheel right and left, just until the front wheels start moving right and left, and look at where the arm and the shaft meet, they should turn together, no looseness there. Loosen the lock nut, and tighten the setscrew is good to do anyway, to be sure they are tight. Then tighten the lock nut again.

TM Tractor has new setscrews if needed.

http://www.tmtractor.com/new/st/563fp.htm

IH changed them to fine threads in the early 1950's, so if the axle has been replaced it could have the fine threads, check before buying setscrews, like it says in the listing above.

When adjusting the nut that Shane talked about above, it is easy to tighten it too much, and then the steering will bind. I would jack up the front in the center, so the weight is just off the tires, then you can turn the steering wheel from side to side and check it. It should turn freely. If the nut is too tight when you tighten it, loosen it until the steering works freely.

[Eugene]

viewtopic.php?f=47&t=54483&p=450365&hilit=earl#p450365

Above link was what I did to eliminate most of the play in my Cub's steering.

[Jlpb61]

Thanks. Unless I am missing something my play is in the steering box. All else seems tight

[Bob McCarty]

Unless I am missing something my play is in the steering box.

Here's a link to a thread where Ralph explains his method of tightening the castellated nut. Third post down.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=56212&p=463137&hilit=steering#p463137