steering play

[Lt.Mike]

Its not cheap is it? I appreciate the time you two spent finding this for me, thank you.
So when the woodruff key wears out the shaft and steering sector get destroyed where they meet.
Hopefully when I open it up it won't be that bad.
I may end up paying more to fix the steering than I spent for the whole tractor.
At least I can fix it right.
Whats probably a better thing is though pricey the parts are still available for something almost 70 years old and that's kind of amazing really.

[Super A]

It probably hasn't trashed the shaft/gear too bad. A good machine shop can fix. I have seen aftermarket sector shafts/gears for these tractors in the Steiner catalog that were a lot cheaper. You can cheat and weld the sector gear to the shaft, many have been done this way.

Al

[AL Farmall Boy]

What would be the disadvantage of this?

It probably hasn't trashed the shaft/gear too bad. A good machine shop can fix. I have seen aftermarket sector shafts/gears for these tractors in the Steiner catalog that were a lot cheaper. You can cheat and weld the sector gear to the shaft, many have been done this way.

Al

[Super A]

What would be the disadvantage of this?

It probably hasn't trashed the shaft/gear too bad. A good machine shop can fix. I have seen aftermarket sector shafts/gears for these tractors in the Steiner catalog that were a lot cheaper. You can cheat and weld the sector gear to the shaft, many have been done this way.

Al

Nothing much. Main thing is you have to be careful welding it, otherwise the weld bead gets in the way of letting the two halves of the steering gear housing go back together. The one I saw done, they took a grinder and ground a little off the inside of the bottom half of the steering gear housing to allow for the bead. If I ever do another one, I will see if I can get a machine shop to do it and then turn down the weld bead to the same diameter as the shaft.

It will absolutely, positively prevent the gear from moving on the shaft!

Al

[Dale Finch]

I have a spare from my parts SA that had been welded but decided to use the other plus a new woodruff key. So far it's ok. if you need a welded one let me know.

[Super A]

Mike,

If you buy new parts, check your original shaft. The later ones were tapered, with a big nut on the end. Earlier ones were square on the end and the center steering arm clamped to it. I didn't look at the Steiner website to see if they had both types.

Al

[Lt.Mike]

Hi guys Happy Thanksgiving!
It'll be a bit till I get to pulling this apart, it's been an incredible work saver hauling trees for me.
5 large trees in the last 4 days, just me with a chainsaw and tractor.
I wouldn't know what shape the shaft is, tapered are not but Dale yes I would be interested in the welded unit you have.
It'll simplify things greatly for now. A proper fix can come later. This a '46 would a SA part fit? I'm buying kind of blind right now.
Al I just saw the ad you posted and sent a PM.
Thanks.

[Lt.Mike]

Mike,

If you buy new parts, check your original shaft. The later ones were tapered, with a big nut on the end. Earlier ones were square on the end and the center steering arm clamped to it. I didn't look at the Steiner website to see if they had both types.

Al

I'm headed out to the tractor shed to see what I can but I believe the arm is clamped to it.

[Lt.Mike]

Yup, its clamped so its square.