1811 Steering assembly -- what kind of force would break this ?

Gregory · #1 08-02-2016, 11:00 PM

Bought an 1811 a few years ago. Once I fixed the fuel issue that tractor ran for 3 years without a problem. My son was mowing a neighbor's yard, made a turn and the steering snapped, according to him.

When I looked at it, the steering wheel would spin freely without resistance, but the wheels didn't turn. Had to load on a trailer to get home. Once started to inspect, I found the problem....... Initial survey showed that the pivot plate moved and flopped freely with the steering system still fastened to the frame. After removing the gas tank I discovered something I've never seen before. Don't think normal use would cause this and there where no indications other than the normal slight play in the steering which I attributed to normal spindle and tie rod end wear.

Brief history, I purchased this from a dealer a few years back, everything worked as it was suppose to and was told this had come as a trade-in from a commercial contractor. Now I have ordered a replacement steering assembly which I'll get later this week. I don't believe that this is a common problem and these housing are robust with both upper and lower bearings, but what the heck could have caused the housing the split apart ?

olds45512 · #2 08-02-2016, 11:22 PM

my bet is the follower had enough play that it was able to force its way out of the groove while the wheels were turned sharp.

Yosemite Sam · #3 08-02-2016, 11:34 PM

Were all of the balls in place when you took the shaft out?

Gregory · #4 08-02-2016, 11:51 PM

Yes Yosemite Sam, all the ball bearing appear visible both at the top and bottom and the shaft spin quite freely. Haven't done an autopsy yet but will have pic's of that process tomorrow.

J-Mech · #5 08-03-2016, 12:02 AM

All kinds of things could have broke that. Poor cast, accident before you ever bought it. Damage unloading it new at the dealer than no one ever was made privy of. Who knows. I like Tim's answer best. Probably just got enough play in it to cause it to bind..... then too much pressure on the case and it popped.

Hope you bought a used one to rebuild.... I've seen guys prices on rebuilt columns.

Gregory · #6 08-03-2016, 01:00 AM

Yes J-Mech, I'd have to agree with your analysis also. I wouldn't expect this to be a common issue with steering casings breaking like this did. I suspect that the initial stress on the casing accord before I got it and over the course of time, it's been stressed more. I was just the dumb schmuck that's having to fix it......
Yes, I've ordered a replacement head and will inspect and rebuild if necessary. I'm at least going to check out the pivot pin see how it's seating in the worm drive. Replace the grease in the casing and also replace the zerk as a safety precaution. I'll put up pic's when I do the autopsy to see if some internal part might have been also at fault.

V30crewcab · #7 08-06-2016, 10:33 PM

I got a 1440 with a broken steering box like that a couple years ago. got a replacement one from Lew I think, cleaned and tightened it all up and rolled. guy mowed alot of lawns with it so not sure if he hit something or it was just loose and broke, but it only had 350 hours on the meter.