Farmall M Wide Front Steering Free Play

Jim R · Feb 23, 2015

I have a 1951 Farmall "M" with an IH, factory wide front end. My steering box seems to have some excessive free play, to the point that when I drive down the road in 5th gear, the front end shakes. My tie rods are all tight, and the play is definately in the steering box. I don't have a service manual for the tractor, just an operators manual, and it says nothing about steering adjustment. Can someone tell me if the steering gearbox can be adjusted to eliminate the free play, and if so, what is the procedure? I haven't torn into it yet, but wanted to seek some advise first. Thanks for any response!

FBH44 · Feb 23, 2015

I believe the M is same as the H, and there is no adjustment on the H. I finaggled and foozled arund, and tried various things, finally wound up rotating the sector gear, installing steering box seals [ had none in mine, as I found out ]and replacing the worm gear with shaft, ordered from this site. It was a fix. Steers tight and perfect.

David G · Feb 23, 2015

There is really no adjustment. I ended up replacing all the gears and bushings on my H, now it steers pretty good, it is just easier that way.

rustyfarmall · Feb 23, 2015

Check the spindles and spindle bushings on that wide front. Check the thrust bearings also.

al71 · Feb 23, 2015

HAD THAT PROBLEM WITH MY H AND FOUND THAT THE WORM GEAR BEARING IN THE TOP OF THE STEERING WAS BAD. REPLACED THE BEARING EVERY THING IS GOOD.

Al 71

Farmall M Wide Front Steering Free Play

Jim R

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FBH44

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David G

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rustyfarmall

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al71

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