Farmall Cub

Never thought I would ever get in 'this deep' on a tractor project again.
I just want to get this thing painted, put back together and running.
But, I figured if I am going to go through the trouble of painting it up nice, better do a good job and fix what I can along the way.

The steering is very sloppy, so I took the front axle off to get a better look at the steering box, etc...

NOTE 1: With the axle off, the steering seems quite OK. I can move the steering arm back and forth maybe 1/16".
The steering wheel and shaft move smoothly as I move the arm back and forth with little to no play.
NOTE 2: The big nut holding the arm on is tight, maybe the key is worn.

I'm thinking the steering play is due to the worn pilot shaft bushings on the axle, and the worn tie rod ends.

Picked up the paint from NAPA yesterday.
Single stage urathane. 2150 Harvester Red. Reducers and Activators, Primers, and a few other goodies.

This is gonna be good.

Not cheap by any means, but this 130 is truly a 'no welds, no cracks machine'. A few things have worn out on it since '57, the grill is gonna take some straightening, but all in all a beauty of a machine.

Can't wait to see her when she's done!!

Lookin great Ed. I've never had the patience to go through one and do that nice of a job

Billy

EZ wrote:NOTE 2: The big nut holding the arm on is tight, maybe the key is worn.

I'm thinking the steering play is due to the worn pilot shaft bushings on the axle, and the worn tie rod ends.

Most likely worn keyway(s). Worn bushings and tie rod ends don't help, but usually most of the wear is in that gearbox. Even with that big nut holding the arm on being tight, I bet if you put it all back together you would find that when you turn the steering wheel, the shaft moves before the center arm does.

I would go ahead and either find a good machine shop who will re-do the keyways on the sector gear, shaft, and center arm, or buy a new sector gear and shaft.

Al