Farmall Cub

I have restored a few Ford tractors and this is my first IH/Farmall. I got my hands on an Farmall 140 and I am tearing down the steering as it has a 360 degree of play which is insane. The worm shaft looks fine and I sure didn't notice anything too terrible with the bearings. I removed the front axle and am ready to remove the steering arm. The nut on the bottom sure looks like there is a cotter key going through it somewhere. At least the nut is slotted for it. I do not see a cotter key. Does this have a cotter key in it? Secondly, this looks like a nightmare to remove as there is little area to get a wrench on it. Is it me or is this nut easier than it looks? When I remove this nut will there be enough clearance to take the steering arm off the shaft? All I want to do is get the housing removed from the base so I can inspect it.

If you have experience 360 degree play in your steering, what was the problem you found? I am praying it is not the sector which I would guess is costly. I see the rebuild kits are relatively cheap.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

It's been a while since I had one apart but I don't recall anything too bad about it. Once you get the nut off the arm there are 6-8 cap screws that hold the base of the steering gear housing on and that's it. I expect a lot of your play is coming from the arm and/or the sector gear slipping on the shaft.

Al

I have a 140 that I am parting out and it has good tight steering, welcome to the forum
Tim

Just rebuilt a 140 front end last month. Yes there should be a cottter key there. The nut can be taken off easy without much trouble.
Mine had a lot of play, which was caused by bad bearings, both of them. replaced them , tightened things up, new seals and now turn the steering wheel and you get action. Just take you time .

Buy the kit, I posted the link on another 140 thread. If the gear is moving on the shaft the keyway is likely worn. Just weld it up, there are thousands of SAs - 140 out there with welded gears in the steering. There is a good chance if you buy a used one it will be welded. By the time you buy a used one and then replace the seals you will have spent more than you would if you repaired what you have, just my opinion.
Boss Hog

Thank all of you so much. This is going to be an awesome forum here. I read some of your other posts and they are packed full of information.