Kioti LK3054 wom gear nut/steering rod access

nolan3387 · Feb 10, 2020

So to start off, my sector shaft broke a few weeks ago. I ordered a new one and replaced through the side cover on the steering box. While I was replacing, I realized the worm gear nut was not moving with the steering wheel. Further investigation revealed the bearing cage on the back was broken off, so the wheel just spun without the nut going up and down. I found a bearing cage/bearing replacement kit online. I am in the process of trying to get the steering shaft/nut out. I thought I could maybe just remove the top half of the steering column and pull it out, but that doesn't seem to be working. I am in the process of pulling the whole box, but I'm not sure if I can just pull the steering shaft out of the column?

This is NOT my tractor in the picture, but one I found online. I am currently at work and do not have any pictures.

So I have removed the bolts from this half of the steering column, and it will only come up about 1 inch and is stuck. I can spin it around, but it doesn't seem to help anything. I do not see any other bolts or screws anywhere to get the rest of it up. I am not sure how to get the steering shaft and nut out of the box. I have removed the steering wheel as well. The kioti manual has the steering column all as just 1 piece, so I don't really know how to get this thing apart. Is it even supposed to come apart?

Attached is another picture of the gear (not from my tractor) that needs the bearing cage. I need to get this out of my tractor and get the new bearings/cage put on. I am struggling figuring out how to get to this part.

Thank you!

justman777 · Feb 10, 2020

Time for some video! Need to see what you're talking about. :thumbsup:

nolan3387 · Feb 10, 2020

I know, I'm sorry I am just trying to piece something together based on some random pictures

I did call a Kioti dealer close by, and he was EXTREMELY helpful. Must've been a slow day cause he got the mechanics manual out and talked to me for about 30 mins trying to figure out how to get the column apart.

So the triangular plate that has 3 bolts on it needs to be bolted in, then about 3 inches above that is the octagon piece. He said you actually unscrew the column cover from there, then you get get to the inside to be able to pull things out. Will give this a try when I get home.

MichiganIron · Feb 10, 2020

Start at the top and work your way down. The column cover screws into the housing on top of the steering unit, but you need to have the steering wheel off to be able to unscrew and lift the cover. Once you have the column loose of the frame, and can get the cover screwed out and lifted off of the housing, then there is a u-joint with a roll pin that connects the top shaft to the shaft in the steering unit. Then you can unbolt the housing and get at the shaft and bank-nut.

Hope this helps

nolan3387 · Feb 11, 2020

OK, I have inched my way down a little closer. I got to this point, and I am not quite sure how to go on from here. The part I need to get to is right on the other side of this.

MichiganIron · Feb 11, 2020

nolan3387 said:
OK, I have inched my way down a little closer. I got to this point, and I am not quite sure how to go on from here. The part I need to get to is right on the other side of this.

View attachment 641095

The Steering Box now needs to be removed. The shaft will be removed from the bottom of the case. Be careful of the steering valves, try to keep everything together as you remove the shaft.

Hope this helps

nolan3387 · Feb 11, 2020

Thank you!!!! Will power on and update tomorrow morning

Any idea what size wrench I would need to loosen the nuts for the hyrdro lines? I have a 5/8 and that was a little too small. They are on there pretty good, so I am not sure an adjustable one would give me enough torque without it slipping.

MichiganIron · Feb 11, 2020

nolan3387 said:
Thank you!!!! Will power on and update tomorrow morning

Any idea what size wrench I would need to loosen the nuts for the hyrdro lines? I have a 5/8 and that was a little too small. They are on there pretty good, so I am not sure an adjustable one would give me enough torque without it slipping.

Many Hydraulic fittings are 11/16".

nolan3387 · Feb 12, 2020

I was able to make it down to the worm gear nut. I bought a bearing/tube set but the bearings appear to be smaller. I was able to salvage most, if not all, the bearings that came out during the process of taking everything apart. I still have to take the broken screws out of the gear nut, but everything else seems to be undamaged

My question is to anyone that knows, is there a bearing kit out there that would fit this? The bearings I bought were 5/16 (5.5mm) and you can see in the picture below they are smaller than the original ones. I either need a kit with larger bearings and tube, or reuse the salvaged bearings and get a new tube sized for the original bearings.

My other option is to use the smaller bearings and tube from my kit. Would this work, or most likely cause problems in the future and put me back in the same situation?

If rebuilding this part of the gear isnt an option, what is my cheapest route to replace this and get back up and running? It is hard because all other parts are fine except a small tubing for the bearings.