Resolving play in a Dexta's steering.

[ncfcdexta]

Hello again,

How difficult is it to resolve play in the steering I.e. The steering wheel turns 1\4 before the wheels begin to turn. Its obviously not the track rod ends, how easy (and exxpensive) is it to resolve a problem like this?

Thanks again,
NCFC Dexta

[russelm]

Its not overly expensive to do but would probably require a steering box strip down and shims adjusting or a few parts replacing (e.g. the top nut).

This thing to do is find where the play is e.g. the box or the ball joints (probably the box).

[ncfcdexta]

Hi Mark

Thanks for this. It sounds like it easily curable, in the worst case scenario, how much would I be looking at and would a "novice" be able to sort it?

Regards,
ncfcdexta

[commander]

Get a copy of the service manual and the parts book, links can be found on the main site. The diagrams help you understand what you're getting into. OEM part numbers will help you when you are looking for parts.

Common problem with the steering box is that the 'top nut' and/or the bearings are shot. They sit at the top of the column, and if the box isn't kept full of oil, they don't get lubricated. Grab the steering wheel. Any play when you pull it straight up and down , or side to side? should be none, or very little. Many of the online suppliers offer a repair kit for this. Probably 50 pound sterling, or 100 us...you can check around. I'd also replace the seals at each side if you do any work to it all. After 50 years, they are dried out.
Worn front spindles and bearings can cause slop in the steering also. Jack up each one to get the weight off and give it a 'shake'.

neither is too bad of a job....search the forums, been a number of posts on this, especially the steering box.

[Bensdexta]

http://www.fordsontractorpages.nl/phpbb ... f=3&t=3388
Suggest you get your new top nut from Agr1line as the others I tried didn't fit - mind you their first one didn't fit either. Ideally take your worm shaft into your supplier and get them to find a new top nut that fits properly.

[ncfcdexta]

Hi guys

Have been interogating the other posts on the forum.

There is no play in the front axle, and the arms are solid too.

When you grap the steering wheel it rocks back and forward and side to side - this movement appears to be near the wheel (at the top) if you can understand what I mean?! When you push the wheel down onto the column, the actual column does not move at all.

Am I correct in my assumption that it is the nut and bearings that have worn out and that the repair kit supplied by some parts stockists will solve the problem?

Thanks again,

NCFCDexta

[Jerry Coles]

Anoth place to check is the Radius Arm securing bolts in the front axle.
They are the same size as the Wing mounting bolts and replacing with new stopped a lot of 'shimmying' going down the road on mine.
If the steering wheel rocks when lifting up one side then sort out the top bearings, if the wheel rotates before any movement in the arms occurs then its the box.
Cheers
Jerry
Bath
UK

[Bensdexta]

Am I correct in my assumption that it is the nut and bearings that have worn out and that the repair kit supplied by some parts stockists will solve the problem?

It will probably reduce play quite a bit, but if there's play in the box bottom, as there was in mine, you would need to reshim this also. If you're after a quick fix, then top nut is the thing to do, but first you really need to establish where the play is, see earlier posts.

[hiking bear]

I had to attend to my box about 3 years ago. For a start drop the connecting rods off the drop arms so nothings connected. Then turn the wheel each way very gently and look for any movement in the drop arms or move the drop arms gently and see if theres an immediate movement in the wheel. Theres bound to be some amount of play, mines about 2 inch turn of the steering wheel but certainly nowhere near a quarter of a turn. Doing it this way tests the box only. When you replace the seals obviously the drop arms have to come off. One came off easy the other wouldnt come off without lots of heat and a good puller.

[blue32]

Hi, as other ,s tells befor here, it is most probably in your top collar,s just under the steering wheel. Take avay the topnut and st.wheel (and save it) pick of the nuts for the topcoverplate...under there it is some shims and gasket and oilsim...then you will find a "over-outercollar" (Take of the over-outercollar) and so you will find 15 ball,s you can pick it out with a magneto and wash them clean and look for wear on their surface. Under this balls you will find a "under-outercollar. Set the frontwheels straight forward and try to lift up and down the steering "draglink who sitting around the top worm"...if it is almost nothing play up and down you can shim this up again (but mybee you need new balls) but wear by side to side, will be repaired with shim this up again. I think also you can use your over and undercollar again after cleaning. With steeringwheels stright forward you can pick of the draglink by turning it of (do count the turns) (after cleaned this part you can look good on it and decide how good it is)
The balls will touch at three point each...one, onto the draglink, two, to the overcollar, and three, onto the undercollar. (The edg of this collar,s and draglink does not need to have the shape of the balls...they can allow to stright edges for the balls, but you must not press in 16 balls, but only 15 befor it have to be alitle spell between each balls.
Good luck

blue32.

[blue32]

q

[ncfcdexta]

Hi folks

I have checked all front axle and wheels, as well as steering rods and arms etc. There is no movement here.

I have removed the steering wheel. The top nut? thingy wiggles from side to side but you can see when looking into the centre hole that the main shaft in the centre does not budge at all.

So I am going to go for it so to speak!

Thanks again,
NCFCDexta

[ncfcdexta]

Just a quick update, received the repair kit in the post today.

I only removed the top panel and replaced the top nut, the bearings were in good condition so left them in. The only part I replaced was the top nut and now there is no play whatsoever!! Really happy that it worked, although now the steering is very stiff - does this mean I have done something up too tight, or have I not greased sufficiently?! This is standing on concrete though as I havent got a tax disk as yet - clearly it will be lighter when I am in motion!

Thanks for all your help, im sure I will have many more questions!!

Cheers
NCFCDexta

[Bensdexta]

Does the top nut run OK on the worm shaft? There's quite some variation in the theads of the various replacement top nuts, some tight, some loose. If the nut is tight, it may loosen up with use. Did you shim the top nut bearing as per the manual?

[ncfcdexta]

Hi Ben

Yes it fitted really well actually. When I opened the parcel the bag containing the top nut had been opened and I had the dreaded thought I had been sent someone elses reject! However when on the worm shaft it fit perfectly.

Yes, all shimed up using a corn flakes box!! I guess it probably feels heavy to me as I am used to having a light little grey petrol engine infront of me!!

Next up I am going to give her a good clean. Have a pressure washer ready - is it safe to use substances like jizer to help removed the years of oil and grime, or do i risk damaging gaskets and seals by using it?

Thanks again!

[Nick]

Hi there, i have also had to replace the top nut and bearings as you did, i did have to reshim the box ever so slightly. I also used cardboard to shim the top, but i think i used a weetabix box . My steering was also very stiff to start with, but i drove it round the yards here steering like a mad man for half an hour whilst trying to free the stuck clutch (still an issue) and its seemed to free it up a fair bit. Dont forget to fill the steering column up with oil when you have finished.
To be honest i thought that as long as its smooth when you steer it then eventually it will bed itself in.