Steering issues

[Va Mike]

I have an International Harvester 350 Utility TLB

I was doing some dirt work this weekend and started having some serious issues with the steering. I was having trouble getting the wheel to turn left .
It was muddy and the tractor was sliding around quite a bit.
When I got back on the tractor yesterday the right side was unresponsive to the steering wheel.
As I worked with it some, I could turn the steering wheel hard to the left then while pressing on the steering linkage get the right tire to start to grab.

I am going to have to take the steering box apart and see if I have broke a gear or if it just slipped the alignment ( hopefully the latter).

This is a late 50's tractor. It does not have power-steering.
Using the loader is a chore w/o power-steering

Has anyone ever converted one of these to power steering?
Is it a major undertaking?
I am not sure about parts availability unless some one is parting one out.

Does anyone know of some sort of a conversion using parts off a junk yard vehicle?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

 

[Soundguy]

If it is a worm and sector gear steering system, and it is slipping.. get the wallet out.

I'm not an IH guy.. but steering on tractors in general are just variations on a theme.. for the manual steering jobs anyway.

Jack that front end up.

First place to look is the steering arm that is hooked tot he sector shaft coming out of the steering box itself. these are usually fine spline, and I have seen them slip.

Not sure what type of front you have.. but guessing WF? If WF, and one weel turns good but not the other.. look at the graglink and ends, and / or the connection betweent he draglink tot he pittman arm to the spindle.. look for slipping / wear.

post back.

pics would be helpfull... all I'm doing i throwing out generic steering box info... lots of variation between makes / models..

soundguy

 

[BobG_in_VA]

Try to post your questions on the "ytmag.com" website. They have a Farmall discussion board there and I'm sure there are at least 4 REALLY smart folks on IH that will honestly try and help you. Someone will probably have the schematics for the 350 UT steering....Good luck--PS: I've got three Farmalls my self and trust that site for great info. BobG

 

[Va Mike]

Gentlemen,
Thanks for the input. I would take pics and give more detail, except my TLB is a weekend work horse on a weekend property.
I have a parts manual for it and it has the worm gear that spins a sector gear. This then drives two arms on opposite side(like pitman arms) in opposite directions, that attach to the drag links, which turn the wheels.

I haven't had a chance to take it apart. that will be my next weekend project.
I guess I was hoping someone had seen this before ,,,,,,,.
I was thinking if I broke a gear it could be costly .
Then I thought if I have to replace it anyway why not put it back with Power steering.
I just can't seem to get enough weekend projects
Thanks again for the help, and Bob I will try the other site.

I will let you know how it turns out

 

[Soundguy]

old ford setups are similar to that.. twin steering arms and seperate draglinks for each wheel.. etc. check the steering arms that hook to the sector gears..

soundguy