I was mowing today with my Kubota tractor when I went to make a turn and heard a loud pop. Immediately after, I lost all steering control. This was only the third time using the tractor since I replaced the steering box with a used unit I purchased off eBay.
After tearing it down, I discovered that the bottom cast iron section of the steering box (where the bearing race sits) had blown out. I had to use a long magnetic tool to fish out the bearing race, loose bearings, and broken cast pieces from the cavity beneath the steering box — down in the clutch area.
What’s strange is that I pulled out more parts than what should have come from this current failure. This leads me to believe that a similar failure may have happened before I bought the tractor and those fragments were never fully cleaned out.
When I first purchased the tractor about a year ago, the steering was extremely difficult — almost impossible unless the tractor was moving. I replaced the steering box to fix that, but even the replacement was still very hard to steer. However, when I jack up the front end and take the weight off the tires, the steering moves freely by hand, so the linkage itself doesn't seem to be binding.
So now I’m trying to understand:
What could cause the steering to be so stiff — even after replacing the box?
What would cause the bottom of the steering box to blow out like that? Could the eBay box have been defective or previously damaged?
Is there a reliable source for a good replacement steering box these days? OEM or a quality aftermarket or rebuilt unit?
Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
After tearing it down, I discovered that the bottom cast iron section of the steering box (where the bearing race sits) had blown out. I had to use a long magnetic tool to fish out the bearing race, loose bearings, and broken cast pieces from the cavity beneath the steering box — down in the clutch area.
What’s strange is that I pulled out more parts than what should have come from this current failure. This leads me to believe that a similar failure may have happened before I bought the tractor and those fragments were never fully cleaned out.
When I first purchased the tractor about a year ago, the steering was extremely difficult — almost impossible unless the tractor was moving. I replaced the steering box to fix that, but even the replacement was still very hard to steer. However, when I jack up the front end and take the weight off the tires, the steering moves freely by hand, so the linkage itself doesn't seem to be binding.
So now I’m trying to understand:
What could cause the steering to be so stiff — even after replacing the box?
What would cause the bottom of the steering box to blow out like that? Could the eBay box have been defective or previously damaged?
Is there a reliable source for a good replacement steering box these days? OEM or a quality aftermarket or rebuilt unit?
Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
