54 100 steering box issue

[Goinbroke2]

G’day, i got a 1954 farmall 100 and the steering works but has slop. I pulled the plug out of the end of the steering shaft and found when the tires cause resistance, the steering shaft winds its way up and down the sector shaft. I put some washers in the cap and screwed it back on and once the end play was gone, good steering again.

So, the nut and cotter pin are still in the steering shaft, but the whole shaft is moving lengthways, what is supposed to limit the end play?
Im debating welding a washer on the steering shaft so it cant go into the box.
But what is the correct repair?

Oh, the bearing i can see is good and the shaft has no side play, it just winds in and out of the box if the tires are in mud. (Lot of resistance)

Thanks

[Goinbroke2]

Ok, my mistake, if i keep the shaft from moving in and out it still rotates 3/4 of a turn.

Now, I'm thinking a key is missing and the shaft is rotating inside the gear.
I really don't want to pull the front end off…

More later, wife is yelling so i think im done for today. Lol.

[Goinbroke2]

Any idea’s…beuller? Beuller?

[Jim Becker]

Well, I read your first post and since you seemed to refer to both shafts as the "steering shaft", couldn't decide which shaft your remaining question applied to. (The gear isn't keyed to the steering shaft, but is to the worm wheel shaft.) So I decided to wait and see if somebody else would comment or maybe you would clarify it.

Then your second post made it look like you found the problem on your own. There was NO QUESTION in that post, looked like you were telling everyone to never mind. I went on to other things.

Maybe everyone else thought the same. Try asking again, whatever your current question is.

[Goinbroke2]

Lol, i see your point.
Ok, the shaft that the steering wheel is on, does not move into/out of the box when you turn it. However, when there is resistance, the steering wheel turns 7/8’s of a turn before solidly moving the wheels. When you turn the opposite direction, if there is no resistance, the wheels turn. But as soon as there is resistance, the steering wheel turns 7/8’s of a turn, then turns the wheels.

There is 7/8’s of a turn of the steering wheel play in the box.
So, does the gear that runs on the bevel gear have a keyway or something that could be loose? When the steering wheel turns, the sector shaft (vertical shaft with the tie rod end connector) does not move until the play is taken up. The only thing i can think of is, the gear at the top of the vertical shaft is slipping on the shaft.

Ideas?

[Jim Becker]

The sector gear and steering arm are both keyed to the vertical shaft. I would think it is possible for either one to be loose from a worn key. I think the arm has more of a history for getting loose. If is is loose, you should be able to see movement of the nut on the bottom of the shaft before the arm moves. Seeing that probably will require a helper to turn the steering wheel while you watch the nut.

[Goinbroke2]

Thanks! When i turn the steering shaft with a pipe wrench and watch the vertical shaft and steering arm, they turn together. (No play) That means the sector gear is the one loose on the shaft. Let me guess, the only way to fix it is pull the front end off?

[Jim Becker]

Yes. Well, you don't have to pull the front bolster. As I recall, you take off the axle, the steering arm, then the lower steering gear housing.

[Goinbroke2]

Aarggg!
Thanks for the info, I guess that’s project 638…
Maybe this winter i’ll do it.

Thanks again