Steering Issue (4wd)

[cj7m57]

I have a hard-working Ford 1910 with 4wd, and am having some steering issues. I've been doing lots of bush hogging in uneven fields cutting lots of two inch +/- white pines, so am worried that the issue is an expensive one.

Working the bush hog recently I started hearing a "clank" when reversing direction (from forward to reverse or vice-versa). I thought it was the mower shifting in the back, so I ignored it. Looking back, the noise probably happened when I was reversing direction and turning the steering wheel at the same time.

Now the noise is still there and the steering is having issues- locking the steering wheel all the way to the right just gives a slight turn of the wheels in that direction. Turning left seems fine. The noise now happens more often as well, including when turning the steering wheel sharply while moving forward. Happens regardless of whether the 4wd is engaged or not.

Am brand new to the board and don't have a lot of experience spinning wrenches, but love my tractor and don't like seeing it in pain.
Any ideas? The tie rod is bent upwards in the middle, but that isn't new (although may be worse than before). Could this be an axle problem or a differential problem? What do I do to investigate? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

Could you post some pics. Could the bent tie rod be hitting the drive shaft cover when you are tring to turn.
Bill

 

[cj7m57]

So, lifted up the front end & put it on jackstands this weekend. Turns out that two of the bolts holding the front differential to the frame had worked loose & fallen out, so that the differential was flexing from the frame. Replaced the bolts with new ones and the problem was solved for about $20, which was a nice surprise.

A few questions:

Would folks recommend using lock-tite on the bolts?

Looks like there was quite a bit of leakage of fluid from the front differential around where the driveshaft comes in from the back- how do I check out to see if there was any damage? Should I just assume that the bushings are toast & plan on replacing them, or just refill the differential and see if the leak persists?

Took some pics of the problem, will see if I can post them later. Thanks.

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

There is a coupler that connects the driveshaft to the pinion that may have been damaged if the front axle was moving around verry much. To check it jack up one front wheel and engage the 4wd. If you cannot spin the tire every thing is fine. If the tire turns you may have damaged the coupler.There are orings on the drive shaft cover that that probably started leaking when things got out of alignment. Hopefully they will seal up now that everything is back in line. I would loctite the bolts. If you go to NH parts website they have good pics of all the pieces.
Bill