CC 129 - Steering Column Nut Loose

jsoluna · #1 07-30-2011, 02:15 AM

Hey guys,

Was minding my own business, working the 129 yesterday when I felt a pop, and then my steering would clunk when turning left. Upon inspection, I found that the nut just below the steering wheel had come loose. When I turn left, the steering wheel lifts up a bit and that when I feel the clunking. Turning right, the wheel travels downward and there is no problem.

What can I do to fix this? I've tried a number of different methods to screw the nut back down and it won't grab. I'm thinking the part that it grabs to has slid down too far to expose the threads (maybe). However, this is my first Cub, and first time into anything steering related with it so I'm not sure.

(Also searched 10 pages of results and couldn't find an answer)

Thanks

Justin

Matt G. · #2 07-30-2011, 09:04 AM

A picture of what's going on would be really helpful.

jsoluna · #3 07-30-2011, 09:47 AM

It this nut directly below the steering wheel. When turning left, the steering wheel travels upward and you can see a gap between that nut and the bottom of the wheel. When turning right, the gap closes and the steering wheel contacts the nut.

I assume it wasn't loose before, but I can't get it to grab onto anything.

Matt G. · #4 07-30-2011, 10:10 AM

Well, the first problem is, there should not be a nut there. Take off the steering wheel completely and see what's going on. My suspicion is that somebody put that under there to fix a different problem. If the steering shaft has any axial play, the steering box needs adjusting at a minimum, if not rebuilding.

jsoluna · #5 07-30-2011, 10:12 AM

That explains why no other steering shaft posts mentioned this, eh?

jsoluna · #6 07-30-2011, 02:21 PM

...and that's what was confusing - looks at my 129 Service Manual, and it didn't note any nut there, just a bushing/bearing at the top. May be time to make a wheel puller eh? And then get that P.O. mod out of there and replace with a bearing as I've heard is possible?

UPDATE: After Matt told me that the nut isn't a Cub part, it became clear what the problem was. The adjuster at the bottom of the steering box had wiggled its way so loose that the end play at the top of the shaft was too excessive. When turning left it would pop out of position. Its a good thing I noticed it quickly, because I might have permanently damaged internals if I'd continued driving it.

So, basically what happened was I read up on the installation and adjustment procedure in the manual and adjusted the end play and the cam follower to spec. Found that the previous owner neglected to put in a cotter pin to hold the adjuster in place, so I cobbled one together.

Steering feels SO much better now. It doesn't have the slack it used to. It's not perfect, but it is miles ahead of what it was. When I first got the Cub, after changing the fluids I went over all the grease points and found that the steering was BONE dry. It took quite a bit of grease to fill it up.

Thanks for listening, I needed some people who understand how painful it is to constantly be playing catch-up with the previous owner's neglect. I love this Cub, it's a great piece of machinery. It would be amazing to see one that was actually taken care of!

TheSaturnV · #7 07-30-2011, 02:24 PM

Quote:

It would be amazing to see one that was actually taken care of!

Keep after it and you'll have one sitting right in your own garage.

Methos · #8 07-31-2011, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsoluna

...and that's what was confusing - looks at my 129 Service Manual, and it didn't note any nut there, just a bushing/bearing at the top. May be time to make a wheel puller eh? And then get that P.O. mod out of there and replace with a bearing as I've heard is possible?

UPDATE: After Matt told me that the nut isn't a Cub part, it became clear what the problem was. The adjuster at the bottom of the steering box had wiggled its way so loose that the end play at the top of the shaft was too excessive. When turning left it would pop out of position. Its a good thing I noticed it quickly, because I might have permanently damaged internals if I'd continued driving it.

So, basically what happened was I read up on the installation and adjustment procedure in the manual and adjusted the end play and the cam follower to spec. Found that the previous owner neglected to put in a cotter pin to hold the adjuster in place, so I cobbled one together.

Steering feels SO much better now. It doesn't have the slack it used to. It's not perfect, but it is miles ahead of what it was. When I first got the Cub, after changing the fluids I went over all the grease points and found that the steering was BONE dry. It took quite a bit of grease to fill it up.

Thanks for listening, I needed some people who understand how painful it is to constantly be playing catch-up with the previous owner's neglect. I love this Cub, it's a great piece of machinery. It would be amazing to see one that was actually taken care of!

There are a bunch of dry steering boxes. Seems everyone forgets or don't know there is a grease fitting on them.

jsoluna · #9 07-31-2011, 10:43 AM

And the other fitting that was dry.....can anyone guess the other place that was NEVER greased in 40 years? I even missed it until I looked at the Service Manual.

_DX3_ · #10 07-31-2011, 10:45 AM

Front Axle pivot???