Farmall H steering failure

Anonymous-0 · Aug 1, 2010

Without getting into details, I was turning a narrow front early H and suddenly, no steering. The steering wheel spun without moving the front wheels. The bolster shaft was also free spinning. Anyone know what broke and what I have to do to fix it? I have another H to use for parts.

D Slater · Aug 1, 2010

Sometimes the vertical bolster shaft breaks where it drops in OD, located about 5 to 8 inches above the lower bolster mounting bolts. If thats it the front wheels will fall off if the front of tractor bounces up or is jacked up.
If thats not it remove the hood to make sure the front steering worm shaft is turning. Could be a problem with key where shafts join. If good to there, remove grill and cover on top of the bolster. Should be no problem to see where the problem is.

Anonymous-0 · Aug 1, 2010

Sounds as though the shaft might be broken. I took off the bolster cover and although the gears aren't lined up, both the verticle shaft and the horizontal steering shaft turn free. The shaft must have snapped. I heard a noise when the steering failed. I'll jack up the front end to see if the wheels slip down. I'll have to take apart the front end of the parts tractor to see how it all goes together.

Anonymous-0 · Aug 1, 2010

I've been looking at another posting about the gear under the bolster cover. The gear on my H isn't a full 360 degree gear, it's only a 180 degree gear. My H is a 1939 model.

Anonymous-0 · Aug 1, 2010

if the upper boster shaft needs to be replaced check parts number stamping located on flange as there is parts number and serial# break i am wanting say 39-45 are the same, as one is shorter then the other ,later year over early. will cause wheel shinny i know been there done that 4 mo.ago no fun on a69 yr old good luck. John

Zachary Hoyt · Aug 1, 2010

I had that happen and all it was was the cap over the end of the horizontal rod had come unscrewed and fallen off. It was sitting inside the grill. If that is all it is you can remove the muffler, air cap, hood and grill and screw the cap back on and be back to work in under 1/2 hour total. You may have to turn the steering wheel to get the worm gear back inside the housing before the cap can go back on.
Zach

MN Scott · Aug 1, 2010

Check the four bolts that hold the lower bolster [the part the wheels and hubs fasten to] to the upper shaft. There should be one bolt in there with a raised head , about an inch longer than the other bolts. This special bolt keeps you from turning the front wheels to far thus disengaging the gears. I bet your missing yours. To fix jack your tractor up and turn the wheels until the half gear meshes with the worm gear. Turn the steering wheel until the wheels face forward. The worm gear should be centered in the half gear. Then find yourself the special bolt or be careful not to turn your wheels past the disconnect point of the gears.

Farmall H steering failure

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

D Slater

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

Zachary Hoyt

Well-known Member

MN Scott

Well-known Member

Similar threads