Steering question

[Jim in SC]

My '51 H has very sluggish steering, so I removed the cap on the bolster and discovered that the worm gear bearing was missing seven bearings. I ordered a new bearing and took the shaft off today, following Rachel's video on Steiner TV. All was good until I got to the removal of the original half steering gear. I bought a full gear to replace it with. Anyway, I got the cotter pin and castle nut off fine, but I can't budge the gear itself. I have it soaking in PB Blaster right now and will try prying it off again tomorrow. Does anyone have any insight on removing that gear? I can't get a gear puller on it either. Help!

[oldfarmkid]

I had to lift the front end off the ground. Loosened the nut but did not remove, then found an old socket that fit inside the inside of the nut so you can hammer downward on the socket. Was told it is a tapered fitting and downward hammering is needed to pop it loose. If I remember correctly I had to use an eight pound sledge before it broke loose on my 1940 model. The front wheels will drop down when it pops loose. Then remove old sector gear, lower front end down so everything comes up to normal position then install new sector gear.
Good Luck

[Jim in SC]

Wow. Well the Steiner TV video sure didn't show THAT! They made it look as easy as buttering toast! Thanks a lot OFK! I'll give that a whirl and give an update in a day or two.

Again, thanks!

Jim

[staninlowerAL]

Wow. Well the Steiner TV video sure didn't show THAT! They made it look as easy as buttering toast!.......

The magic of TV and video usually does not allow for the "real world" situations. The parts used when making the videos have probably been removed and reassembled several times before filming begins. JMHO

[oldfarmkid]

Yep, she's put me to shame several times.

[oldfarmkid]

Your not too far away. I am near Greenville, at Pelzer.

[Jim in SC]

OFK - I got my H from up your way, back in February. It came off of a Century Farm outside of Simpsonville.

I took y'all's advice and jacked up the front end (using a crib of course), maybe an inch or so off the floor, then gave the thread end of the pivot shaft about five or six healthy whacks with a heavy brass hammer and it popped right off! Easy Peasy. Now all I have left to do is put in the full sector I bought (for $12 off of ebay - pretty good deal), put the new bearing on the steering shaft, grease it up with JD cornhead grease, do a re-assemble and I'll be back in business!

[oldfarmkid]

Glad all has gone well. Steering was the first item to be addressed after I bought mine. Steering was very loose, took about 2-1/2 turns of the wheel each way before I could feel control of the front wheels. Road gear would have been a death wish. Found the nut at the front end of the worm gear loose and just a small finish nail being used as a cotter pin. To make a right hand turn I would spin the steering wheel as the worm gear threads tightened itself into the nut till all was tight enough to rotate wheels right. For a left turn I would spin steering wheel left, worm gear threads would unscrew itself till small finish nail stopped the worm gear from spinning the nut off the end of the worm gear threads, wheels would then move left. My plan was to drive the tractor home after purchase, just four miles. Had no idea a small finish nail was all that held the whole steering assembly together. Thank God the fuel tank had about two pounds of dirt and scale in it and could not run more than about thirty seconds at a time. Hope you are enjoying firm steering yourself soon.

[Jim in SC]

[Jim in SC]

A final update on the steering: After reassembly I took it out for a check ride. That did not go well. I could barely turn the steering wheel. Once I got it back in the barn I did some checking - all looked good on the bolster end, but there was some obvious binding where the steering shaft meets the steering post and steering wheel. I got the right size allen wrench and loosened the two collars on the shaft at the throttle control - the shaft immediately slid back 1/2" and the binding stopped. I jacked the front end up and voila! The front wheels turn left and right like a charm! All is good now.

[oldfarmkid]

Wonderful, glad you found it.