Grading YM2000 steering box adjustment

   / YM2000 steering box adjustment #1  

wombat

Member
Joined
Aug 13, 2006
Messages
44
Hi folks.
I recently greased my steering linkages and adjusted the steering box.
My steering is now rather heavy and there is still around 3-4 inches of slop in the steering wheel.
Could over tightening the box cause the heaviness?:confused:
 
   / YM2000 steering box adjustment #2  
Yes, it is possible to over tighten a steering box. You might find you have some play in your pitman arm, the steering linkage, tie rod ends or the actual steering wheel itself. Have someone else move the wheel back and forth through the free play and do a visual from the wheel right out to the tie rods.

I would loosen your adjustment screw off again, turn in until you notice contact (suddenly hard to turn), then 1/4 turn back from that point. Although it's supposed to leave you with about 1 to 2 inches of free play, you will be better off with excessive free play than have your steering box grinding away on itself.
 
   / YM2000 steering box adjustment #3  
wombat said:
Hi folks.
I recently greased my steering linkages and adjusted the steering box.
My steering is now rather heavy and there is still around 3-4 inches of slop in the steering wheel.
Could over tightening the box cause the heaviness?:confused:

You could have a worn out nut-ball assembly and/or bearings.

Danny
 
   / YM2000 steering box adjustment
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Thanks guys.
The play seems to be in the Steering box not the ball joints.

I'll readjust the box and see how it goes.

Wombat
 
   / YM2000 steering box adjustment
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Bump.
OK, I tried to slacken off the steering box adjuster but the screw didn't want to loosen off. The steering is still heavy.
I was worried that if I forced it something might go 'pop' and I need the tractor at the moment.
I'd order the replacement from Hoye but I'm a bit worried about the freight cost to Australia.
From the feel of the screw adjuster I will need to use an impact driver to turn it.
What damage is this likely to do apart from damaging the thread in the steering box?

wombat
 
   / YM2000 steering box adjustment #6  
I would be concerned about leaving it tight. The adjustment screw adjusts the backlash of the steering gear. It is probably so tight that it is binding. The probability of damage with it so tight is high. What you may want to try is to take all pressure off the front end by jacking it slightly (wheels just off the ground). Turn the wheel from one extreme to the other and try backing the screw off in a couple of spots. One will bind less than another and it will come. I wouldn't resort to an impact.
 
   / YM2000 steering box adjustment #7  
With that much slop you probably have a bad bearing. Adjusting won't correct it. You'll do more damage if you don't tear apart the box & fix it now. At some point in time it will jam & the natural tendancy is to force it, which will break either the sector shaft or the ball/nut assenbly.
 
   / YM2000 steering box adjustment
  • Thread Starter
#8  
Thanks Guys.
I'll try that next weekend.

Wombat
 

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