65 Ford 2000 Diesel Steering Repairs

[wschaftl]

Just found this site a few days ago. Would have saved a lot of money had I found it earlier. I have had this 1965 2000 3cyl diesel since 89 and have made many repairs to it over the years (hydraulics, rear axle seals, pto). It is a 6 speed with live PTO and manual steering and an 11 amp generator. Finally decided to work on the steering since it is getting worse. The left axle knee and spindele needed replacing, the tie rod ends were all loose and the steering box leaked and was worn out. After taking ithe front axles apart I found the center axle bushing and spacer were worn away.

Pictures of the tractor in its current state are attached. I have bought a used LH axle knee and a new spindle from Gulf South Equipment in baton Rouge ( lowest prices I have found). I decided to buy a new steering gear after reading the service manual since I did not think I could do the rebuild. Cost was $420

After reading many posts on this site I now know I should have rebuilt the old one - I might try it still then sell it.

Question I have now is what lube to put in the new steering gear - go with Ford manual spec lube or something better?

Since I had to take the fuel tank off anyway I want to fix the fuel sender which has never worked. Found the float laying in the bottom of the tank full of fuel. Gulf South has a replacement new sender for $35 which sounds like a good deal.

The rpm meter works but not the hour meter - I took the instrument panel apart but can not see the problem except hour meter gear is not turning.

 

[jeff pk]

Welcome.

I can't be certain about your hour meter, but my 57 Ford hour meter won't advance unless it's at higher RPM's. It's supposed to reflect hours at working speed and not idle.

Jeff

 

[Varmint1]

Those are great guys at Gulf South, I mainly deal with Richard , they had all the parts I needed for my Komatsu dozer. You got a nice looking Ford, keep up the good work and keep the pictures coming

 

[Soundguy]

oh my.. a new steering box?

ford manual steering boxes are a piece of cake to rebuild.

just seals and bushings and thrust brarings.

I've probably rebuilt 3/4"s of mine.

unless the ballnut is excessively worn and cocking on the worm shaft.. or the sector gear face/teeth are worn to a pointed profile instead of blunt face, or the sector shaft diameters are worn excessively.. they rebuild quite nicely.

Go back in with a 0EP or 00EP grease.

JD cornhead grease comes in a tube and is a 0EP grease. many lawn equipment and golfcourse dealers .. especially ones that sell or service snapper will sell a stens or snapper greae in a 32oz squeezy bottle that is 00EP

either will work fine.

you can add a large zrk vs the fill plug.. then pump in till it extrudes out from under he steering wheel. give here a lil spin half way thru pumping to spread it and clear any voids.

 

[wschaftl]

Thanks for the lube advice Soundguy. I will get one or the other.

I knew I had screwed up on the steering box after reading through this site but I already had the new one when I found the site. When you have never done one or seen the inside of one and the service manual calls for all kinds of special tools and you have no one to talk it over with it seemed like it was best to go the new or rebuilt route.

At least in the future I can get opinions from this site to show me the way.

 

[Soundguy]

what special tools did your service manual call for on a manual steering box repair.

i don't recall any.. I did actually look at the manual the first time I did one...

it's pretty straight forward..

recirculating ballnut on a worm, driven sector and a drive sector.

post when you weant to rebuild it.

you'll be scared at how easy it is..

 

[wschaftl]

OK, I tore down the old Steering Gear today and have attached pictures of it. A lot of water poured out of it when I turned it shaft end down (a pint or so). There is rust on the surfaces and the upper & lower shaft bearings had come apart. A water/oil sludge with metal particles filled the box after the gears were out. I can see that it would be an easy rebuild as long as the gears and rotating balls are in good shape.

Looking at the service manual procedure again the special tools needed would be if the bearing cup races need removal - and I do not think they do.

My only real concern with it is that the rocker arm gear teeth have quite a lot of wear on them. Some of them mic out at 0.2 inch width at front and are worn down to 0.14 inch at back.

 

[Soundguy]

from what i can see.. those sector gears look useable.. some where can be adjusted out via backlash adjustment.

the races can be snatced or welded out.

the top race snatches or welds out EASY. the bottom race.. some boxes have a welch plug int he bottom and you just drive them out... otherwise.. snatch.. or if not damaged.. leav ein.

 

[Charle]

wschaftl I too am new to this forum and I was very interested to see the work you are doing on your 65 Ford 2000. I have a 1964 Ford Super Dexta 3000 and want to service the steering box which has multiple oil leaks. From your photos my Dexta, and steering box, look identical to your Ford 2000; they were badged under different names, I believe, in the US and Australia.
I have been looking for the correct service manual for the steering box, would you mind telling me the manual you are using and where I can obtain a copy.

With many thanks,
Charle

 

[Soundguy]

it's just a regular 3000 steering box.. the naming convention is overly confusing.. not sure what ford was thinking at the time.

hit the CNH website.. pull up the exploded view of the steering box ( manual or power.. depending on what you have ).

they are EASY to rebuild... just thrust bearings for the most part.. that usualyl tapes up the slop.. oring/.seals.. etc. lube..