Kernopelli
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2006
- Messages
- 2,209
- Location
- Carterville, Illinois
- Tractor
- Mitsubishi MTE2000D, Dig It 258 Mini Ex, Deere Z930A ZTR
After making my original post, I next tried heating the column with a propane torch and then ice on the race but that didn't do it. I then tried a puller and it was then that I figured out that the lip I had been beating and pulling on was part of the steering column, not the bottom of the race. The new race I had bought "looked" different than the original but as it turned out was identical to the O.E.M one. MAN, I can pull some boners!! The race sat flat against a ring that was welded to the column. Even after I had cleaned everything up with a wire wheel, there was enough rust etc present that I just couldn't tell what was column and what was race. Anyway, that's when I decided to break out the welder and forget about trying to save the old race (just in case).
This morning I was able to find a new steering box bearing for $19.00+ $8.00 s&h as compared to $51.00 for the one I ruined ( picked up 2 of bearings actually...just in case
).
I have been in a mad rush to get this fixed because we are having a church hay ride/picnic at our place this weekend and I usually work double shifts all week and knew I was going to be pressed for time. Plus, I have a guy coming Saturday to pick up a piece of equipment he bought and I have to have my FEL to load it on his trailer. Last night while I was in bed thinking about all of this I got the bright idea to make a bushing to replace the bearing. That way I wouldn't have to worry about receiving the new bearing in time or if I would have time to get everything back together. The top bearing keeps the steering shaft from rising vertically when turning left and the bottom bearing in the steering box is what the end of the shaft spins in and presses against when turning right. I had a 3'X3' piece of 1" thick nylon cutting board that is used in meat depts that I could make it from. It is super durable stuff and I've seen lots of bushings made from similar material. I decided to cut a piece of that and I turned it on my lathe to make a bushing that fit in the bottom race and holds the shaft. I just got everything back together and it appears to work great. If I have the new bearing and time to replace it before Saturday, I'll put it in but if not, I think it will be fine long enough that we can still do the hay ride.
I really appreciate everyone's help on this!!
This morning I was able to find a new steering box bearing for $19.00+ $8.00 s&h as compared to $51.00 for the one I ruined ( picked up 2 of bearings actually...just in case
I have been in a mad rush to get this fixed because we are having a church hay ride/picnic at our place this weekend and I usually work double shifts all week and knew I was going to be pressed for time. Plus, I have a guy coming Saturday to pick up a piece of equipment he bought and I have to have my FEL to load it on his trailer. Last night while I was in bed thinking about all of this I got the bright idea to make a bushing to replace the bearing. That way I wouldn't have to worry about receiving the new bearing in time or if I would have time to get everything back together. The top bearing keeps the steering shaft from rising vertically when turning left and the bottom bearing in the steering box is what the end of the shaft spins in and presses against when turning right. I had a 3'X3' piece of 1" thick nylon cutting board that is used in meat depts that I could make it from. It is super durable stuff and I've seen lots of bushings made from similar material. I decided to cut a piece of that and I turned it on my lathe to make a bushing that fit in the bottom race and holds the shaft. I just got everything back together and it appears to work great. If I have the new bearing and time to replace it before Saturday, I'll put it in but if not, I think it will be fine long enough that we can still do the hay ride.
I really appreciate everyone's help on this!!