b7200hstd steering

[huntoften]

I recently purchased a B7200 HSTD and the steering went out a month later. I believe I need the steering rod but the part was discontuined in March. Messicks does not have nor any one else from what I can tell. Does anyone else have any idea's on where to get the steering parts needed for this tractor??

 

[sdcassel]

I may be on to a shop in Oregon that modifies the steering shaft and ball nut for B6200s (if they can get those parts) for other B-series, including the B7200. I'll post later if it works out!

 

[sdcassel]

Thanks Vic! That's good info; I've also seen the idea of drilling and tapping the steering post, adding a grease zerk and pumping grease into the post around the shaft until it comes out around the top rubber bushing.
I assume those steering shaft/ball nut assemblies you dug out were snapped up, even at $500 per?

 

[sdcassel]

Problem solved! Farmland Tractor Supply in Tanget, Oregon was able to special order a bunch of steering shaft and ballnut assemblies for a B6100; it was identical, except the shaft was 2 1/4" longer than for the B7200. I made a spacer bushing to take up the additional length, and it worked great! I was always dinging up my knees with the acorn nuts on the bottom of my steering wheel speed knob anyway; I like the steering wheel raised up a little higher! The assembly (67211-41120) was $190 plus shipping. I had to use several shims to keep the bearings from binding up (2 each of part numbers 66811-41320, 66811-41340, 66811-41350, and 66811-41360), plus the old ones, I think one more each of the thinner ones? If you use the trick of adding a zerk and filling the column with grease, make sure you get the shims right first. I can't believe how easy my steering is now; it must have been binding up and destroying the ball nut bearings ever since I got it used a few years ago.