Steering Problem

[wrz]

Just purchased a F cub and tried to move it and the steering was frozen and would not turn. Pulled the steering shaft out of bolster and then was able to move the front wheels to steer it. Upon further inspection it appeared the front bolster has been changed and serial number tag indicated it was of 63 vintage. Checking several of the casting dates (K) makes the majority of the tractor is a 64 as well as it also being a square nose sheet metal. The serial number is also below the worm gear (24 tooth) and longer shaft with worm change. The steering shaft with worm is the long one that was pulled out of the bolster. Does anybody know if the longer steering shaft with worm will work with the (21tooth) worm gear? I checked the parts catalog and it shows that pairings match before and after the change. It would require the bolster to be pulled apart to see if it is a 21 tooth worm gear.Maybe trying a short steering shaft and worm in the bolster would be the easiest.
Wm

[Gary Dotson]

I never tried it but I can't imagine that they would be compatible. The later (long shaft) has a much finer worm, to work with the smaller gear tooth. It's really not that difficult to drop the steering gear off the bottom of the bolster, to see what you have. (or try the short shaft)

[john2189]

Wouldn’t that be like trying to put a coarse thread nut on a fine thread bolt?

[Don McCombs]

If the steering shaft has been replaced, I would look for signs of a possible roll-over.

[wrz]

I do not think it was rolled because the long steering shaft matches the casting codes of most of the tractor. I believe the front bolster was changed. All the sheet metal is in good shape. Will investigate further.
Wm

[Cubfriend]

William, Can you check the engine serial number on the block to see if it compares to something in the Cub Database to see if it should have the 21 or 24 tooth gear.

[wrz]

Checking the cub database the engine serial number 245110 makes it a March 64 Cub. Casting codes: TC 1/17/K , head 1/14/K and block 1/23/K The bolster serial number221709J makes it a March 63 Cub. The steering wheel shaft and worm change was done May 63.
Wm

[Jim Becker]

Any chance you can reach in through the worm shaft hole and measure the distance (directly horizontal) from the tip of one tooth to the tip of the next? Do you know anyone nearby that you can borrow a short shaft from to try it out?

Is it completely bound from moving either way? I have seen a worm wheel that was loose on the shaft and would drag against the housing making turning one direction virtually impossible but was OK the other direction.

[Cubfriend]

You should have the 24 tooth gear but with the bolster replacement it could have been swapped for the 21 tooth gear. William, Have you installed the steering shaft that I brought to Colorado for you into another tractor already? It may be a good fit.

[inairam]

The long shaft is the shaft for the 24 tooth gear. You can remove the front axle steering housing to look inside and count the teeth. You do not have to get into the radiator or splitting the tractor but it will let you see most of what is going on in there. I purchased a 24 tooth gear and shaft from JP salvage site sponsor.

[wrz]

Success by just changing the steering wheel and worm to the earlier version (21 tooth worm gear). It even has very little play in the steering wheel.
Wm

[Cubfriend]

Congratulations, Glad it was an easy fix. To bad you didn’t end up with the 24 tooth steering.

[Gary Dotson]

Well, Frank, he's got half of one, he just needs the gear!

[Cubfriend]

10-4, hopefully one day it can get corrected.