How to adjust cam follower on 982??
 

Hi all,
Total noob to Cub's and this forum. Just got a 982 (986, cleveland, yellow). Hydro, etc all run good. Working on the steering- 1/2 turn on the steering wheel before engaging. Noticed the cam follower bolt was loose, even tightening it by hand helped. Question: what is the proper procedure for adjusting the cam follower bolt? Thanks!

Should be several threads on here where folks have rebuilt/modified the manual steering. In a nutshell, run the cam follower in as much as you can and still be able to turn the steering wheel with reasonable effort. It should be tightest (hardest to turn) at full turn in both directions--less wear on the worm gear. Its kind of hard not to over tighten them with it up on a jack. It works best for me to drive them around a little. Pay close attention to the rest of the steering components when you are looking for wear. FYI the manual steering in a 982 is not the same as in most of the other IH built Cadets--its heavier/larger built, the principle is the same. Sometimes the cam follower needs remachining--its very hard on the end, or you can just replace it.

I posted a few things about the steering here:
http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=30765

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=30721

Thanks John. Still working on figuring out the nances of the 'search' function. Completely missed that first link of yours. I'll give your procedure a try and report back later.

While I'm here, what's the story on the 'steering lever' #7? Mine is very wobbly. There's no bolt through the bottom, right, just that pin held in by the retaining ring?

http://www.partstree.com/parts/cub-c...ical-steering/

In one of those links you should see where I pulled mine out and bored it out and inserted a bushing. My 2072 has the same setup and it needs doing as well, maybe this winter--I can't afford for that one to be down, it has to mow weekly.
The only way to fix that part is to get a machine shop to bore and sleeve it, cadets original design should have had a bushing in it. I don't know if folks forget to grease them or what.

I just went through this on my 782. I tightened the cam follower and it was almost a little too tight. Drove it around a bit and re-adjusted. Too loose. When I got in there the third time I was surprised to find that one of the ball joints that I had replaced had become loose (it worked loose or I just plain forgot to tighten it up). Of course, it was the one hardest to see. Once I straightened that out, everything else was near perfect. I was getting frustrated and had considered yanking the steering box out to rebuild it. Now, I'll leave that for a rainy day and do it "just because".

Ok, just got that settle. Very easy adjustment, made a world of difference. Tightened up a loose ball joint while down there, too. Thank You!

Next problem. After running for a few minutes, when I turn, there's a binding/grinding/growning sound when I try to turn. Sounds to be coming from the steering column, near the steering wheel. bad Bushing?

Could be anything making that noise, did you get the cam follower too tight? Try jacking up the front end so you can turn it easier and see if you still hear the noise. You may have issues with the steering box itself, maybe a busted bearing? If you have to go that route, check the parts book carefully, I believe there were 2 different steering boxes used, one of them was a real pain to find in the parts book.

I doubt its the follower. Was doing it a little before adjustment when it was really lose, doing it now as its just right. I went 'too tight' first, and adjusted it out a few times till it was just right; that doesn't seem to be making the noise. Nor is there noise when the wheels are elevated. Only when its on the ground and I'm actively straining to make the thing turn. Bearing is my thought too.

you could unhook the steering linkage so the front end doesn't turn, then you'll know where the noise is, unless it needs a "load" to make it grind.

seems to need a load, and strangly, seems to need a bit of time/distance before it starts, too. Wonder if a bearing failed, and it heats up under there making it seize up?