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Old 08-16-2010, 10:31 PM
Matt G.'s Avatar
Matt G. Matt G. is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Wichita, KS
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I would replace the bearings and races in the steering box with the kit that's available from CC. The cam follower stud probably needs replacing, too. I've done a couple of these and was asked by a couple of members to do a how to on it, but I haven't gotten around to that yet. I guess I should do that soon...

That kit on epay is a ripoff. The bearing is a 'Nice 605' and costs less than $2 at Motion Industries or a similar bearing supply place. I had a hard time finding the locknut without buying a bag of them, so I bought a bag of them at Fastenal and a bunch of bearings and did several of my tractors. I never tried to get one at the same place I got the bearing, it's a 5/8 NF nylock jam nut if you want to try to get one.

I went through a 100 last summer and rebuilt the steering box, put a bearing at the top instead of a plastic bushing (front wheel bearing works) and put the thrust bearing on the steering box. I could steer that tractor with one finger, and there was almost no play in the steering at all.

The 'super steer' axle will probably work, but you may have to come up with your own drag link. Depending on which version you get, it'll raise the front of the tractor and mess up your deck leveling. The earlier version will not raise the front as much if at all. You will also be stuck with wide front wheels since the spindles are 1" instead of the 3/4" ones on the NF front axle.

Another common cause of high steering forces on the NF tractors is the spindles being bent and all of the camber being gone as a result, thanks to too many wheelies and stuff like that. The spindles can be heated with a torch and bent back where they belong. That will also make a huge difference.
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