Steering Box Reassembly

[hsteven_b7000]

Steering Box Reassembly Problem on B7000

Hello Fellow-OTT-Fans,

having already enjoyed the articles on the steeringbox overhaul I am still facing some problems with my B7000's steering box.

Since I did not know beforehand that my problem with the steering is due to ice inside the
box I disassembled the box as good as i could, and did find ice/water as the culprit, and thank god the box isn't cracked.

And this is where i'm stuck. I cannot reassemble the worm and shaft because the sector shaft is in the way, and when trying to insert the steering shaft i always push the lower bearing out of its cage. But I wasn't able to remove the pitman arm so far, thus i cannot remove the sector shaft.

I was also so far not able to remove the shaft from the column because i could not remove the steering wheel so far. What is the best way to do this? Having used a puller
on it did not work so well ... i just made some dents in the plastic and the puller sprang off....

So what are my options?
- would i be able to insert the steering shaft when i could disassemble the steering wheel from the shaft?
or
- do i definitely have to remove the pitman arm?
If both options are thinkable which would be the best one in terms of not destroying any seals?

Regards
hsteven_B7000

 

[Kytim]

You need to get a large gear puller. I think I bought an 6 or 8 ton 3 jaw puller to do the job. It takes the right tools or it won't come apart.

Good luck

 

[hsteven_b7000]

Hi Kytim,
I already tried multiple three-legged pullers, but they always jump off when employing force, granted they where not the best quality either.

Today i borrowed a really heavy duty puller from a friend but this one could not be applied because of the low clearance between the pitman arm and the box.
But on the plus side with this puller at least I was able to remove the steering wheel, so now I can try to assemble the box again without the steering wheel and the column.

I'll keep you posted on how it works out.

 

[Orange Tractors]

You have to get the pitman arm and steering wheel off somehow. My steering wheel caome off easily; it is the tapered one with a key, I believe some are splined.

The pitman arm on mine was a royal pain to get loose; my pitman arm puller didn't fit, so I ended up using a gear puller, but it was stuck on tight.

Since you are having problems with the steering wheel, maybe try using a bearing splitter behind the wheel for the puller to grab.

Good luck with it,

Robert

 

[Lil Foot]

In the past, when I've had trouble with a situation such as yours, (I.E., can't get a puller to work) I have been able to make a "C" shaped steel "washer" to place behind the pitman arm, and then used the puller on that. Make the washer as thick as you can, cut a slot just big enough to fit around the shaft, and size the outside diameter just big enough to afford the puller a good purchase. Of course, a large, high quality puller helps too. This has worked for me more than once, but it all depends on the sizes & clearances you have to deal with. Good Luck, and keep us informed.

 

[Kytim]

Hmmm, best I remember I used a pickle fork to remove my pitman arm. They are usually cheap, $10-12 bucks at HF. There are 2or3 sizes of forks so select carefully to get right size. You really need to get that arm off to get everything cleaned up. Will probably help getting the box timing correctly set as well.


Keep up the good work.

 

[quinka]

A tie rod end remover works excellent for removing the pitman arm, it's just a forked tapered tool that you hammer on with quick shock blows. The steering wheel is very easy if you put your knees under it and push upward while using a air powered muffler tool with round end and use it on the shaft end, the rapid shocks will remove it just fine.

 

[lreops]

A tie rod end remover works excellent for removing the pitman arm, it's just a forked tapered tool that you hammer on with quick shock blows. The steering wheel is very easy if you put your knees under it and push upward while using a air powered muffler tool with round end and use it on the shaft end, the rapid shocks will remove it just fine.

Also known as a "Pickle Fork"


Ron

 

[Kytim]

Also known as a "Pickle Fork"


Ron

Ooops! Guess I should have explained that one. Thanks for the bailout Ron.

 

[hsteven_b7000]

SUCCESS: Steering Box Reassembly

Hi Guys,

finally I got the pitman arm off. And the final solution was ... HEAT.
I tried every puller I had, plus some I had borrowed, but it wouldn't get loose.

Today I had it outside at about -10°Celsius and then I heated only the pitman arm
to the point where I could not touch the arm without gloves and then with a relatively small puller and a gentle knock with a hammer did the job.

Thanks again for all your tips and keeping me focused on removing the arm
and the sector shaft.... after this the reassembly was a breeze.

Regards
Steven