Hello Fellow Dexta People
Could anybody give me some feedback as to the quality of the Steering Shaft Repair Kits that are advertised "on line" in Uk.(Agriline etc)
I am thinking of ordering one with some other parts I need but I have had a couple of people in Aust tell me they were disappointed after the wait, poor quality and not to bother. In particular the comment was that the new bearings cups and ball surfaces were bit second rate.
Any comments or experiences appreciated
Thanks
Bradson
Steering Box Top Shaft Repair Kit Quality Review
Re: Steering Box Top Shaft Repair Kit Quality Review
I'm afraid the quality of the STR repair kits is variable - hit & miss as I found out last summer. See thread: http://www.fordsontractorpages.nl/phpbb ... f=3&t=3388
I tried several worm nut suppliers before I found one that fitted; eventually going to Agriline's warehouse with my worm shaft & st column and going through their stock till we found one that fitted.
There's no prob getting the ball bearings and the cups were OK, prob was with the worm nut, either too tight/loose on worm shaft &/or bearing groove incorrect. Also some nuts are too tall (see thread).
So my advice is reuse your old nut if you possibly can, just replacing balls & reshimming. If that's not possible ideally get yourself to the warehouse and check stock till you find a good un. If that's not poss, you'll just have to take pot luck. Maybe put the old one back in the meantime, as it's easy to change the worm nut without dismantling the steering box or fuel tank. Let us know how you get on!
I tried several worm nut suppliers before I found one that fitted; eventually going to Agriline's warehouse with my worm shaft & st column and going through their stock till we found one that fitted.
There's no prob getting the ball bearings and the cups were OK, prob was with the worm nut, either too tight/loose on worm shaft &/or bearing groove incorrect. Also some nuts are too tall (see thread).
So my advice is reuse your old nut if you possibly can, just replacing balls & reshimming. If that's not possible ideally get yourself to the warehouse and check stock till you find a good un. If that's not poss, you'll just have to take pot luck. Maybe put the old one back in the meantime, as it's easy to change the worm nut without dismantling the steering box or fuel tank. Let us know how you get on!
Last edited by Bensdexta on Fri Aug 03, 2012 12:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Bensdexta - 1961 working for a living!
Re: Steering Box Top Shaft Repair Kit Quality Review
Thanks for getting back with some feedback.
I am all poised here ready to go this morning and do a sizeable parts order. Probably not what I wanted to hear as I am flying blind on this one and its the first time I would be ordering online out of UK.
Guess I am in the "Pot Luck" category as its a bit hard to nip down to agriline being on the other side of world. If the bearing and ball setup is going to be Ok then I can probably re use the nut or I will manufacture one that fits myself to fit the existing column thread properly.
Being so far away In Aust and generally not being able to get parts or prohibitive costs in freight, You get very resourceful expanding your skills and capabilities to areas you would never dream of being directed and tend to have to take on everything.
Bradson
I am all poised here ready to go this morning and do a sizeable parts order. Probably not what I wanted to hear as I am flying blind on this one and its the first time I would be ordering online out of UK.
Guess I am in the "Pot Luck" category as its a bit hard to nip down to agriline being on the other side of world. If the bearing and ball setup is going to be Ok then I can probably re use the nut or I will manufacture one that fits myself to fit the existing column thread properly.
Being so far away In Aust and generally not being able to get parts or prohibitive costs in freight, You get very resourceful expanding your skills and capabilities to areas you would never dream of being directed and tend to have to take on everything.
Bradson
Re: Steering Box Top Shaft Repair Kit Quality Review
Read the threads as advised by Bendexta
The pictures all look familiar. This is no different to any others I have seen. Obviously this is why the later 1000's series all use a completely differnt box design.
Question did the Sparex ,Bepco & Vapormatic options all turn out to be really crappy as well? I would expect that they all get them from the one place in China.
Curious to why you ended up going Agriline in the end? Was it a convienence thing to where you lived.
Bradson
The pictures all look familiar. This is no different to any others I have seen. Obviously this is why the later 1000's series all use a completely differnt box design.
Question did the Sparex ,Bepco & Vapormatic options all turn out to be really crappy as well? I would expect that they all get them from the one place in China.
Curious to why you ended up going Agriline in the end? Was it a convienence thing to where you lived.
Bradson
Re: Steering Box Top Shaft Repair Kit Quality Review
I never did discover whether the Sparex, Bepco & Vapormatic options are the same or different. I went to Agriline mainly for convenience; also they have access to a machine shop so are more than just box shifters. Rob W is their Dexta man and I've found him very helpful on a number of occasions. What surprized me was that on going through Aline's stock, some nuts were looser than my 50yr old original and others were too tight to even go on the worm shaft - complete pot luck!bradson wrote:Question did the Sparex ,Bepco & Vapormatic options all turn out to be really crappy as well? I would expect that they all get them from the one place in China. Curious to why you ended up going Agriline in the end? Was it a convienence thing to where you lived.
How worn is your worm nut? I would be inclined to reshim the bottom of your box and reshim your old top nut - will probably reduce the play in the steering considerably. Posting worm nuts round the world could get expensive!
Bensdexta - 1961 working for a living!
Re: Steering Box Top Shaft Repair Kit Quality Review
Unfortunately some farmer in their wisdom decided the best strategy to overcome a stiff steering box (caused by bent rotor shaft) would be to weld a truck steering wheel to the spokes of the existing dexta wheel spokes after hacking back so you can get more leverage on the diameter and it would turn. Tapping a grease nipple into the column and filling up completely with grease was his solution to the oil coming out the bent shaft seal. Very interesting approach.
However the long term picture now that its ended up with me is the bushes are shot for the rotor shafts and I had to drive the bent shaft out . All the excess leverage collapsed the top bearing and the trusty farmer decided that hay twine would make a suitable bearing if wound around the worm shaft enough. It was well hidden under the shim cap and looked quite normal from outside till you went exploring. Another interesting repair due to isolated location I would suggest. Mind you it has worked so points for creativity to the farmer and his twine.
Certainly not how I do things.
The nut surface that runs in the seal is damaged which is why I am looking to replace. Believe it or not the rest of the box looks in good shape. I am putting it down to hitting a stump while turning as there was a good sort of flat spot on the offending side front rim.
Bradson
However the long term picture now that its ended up with me is the bushes are shot for the rotor shafts and I had to drive the bent shaft out . All the excess leverage collapsed the top bearing and the trusty farmer decided that hay twine would make a suitable bearing if wound around the worm shaft enough. It was well hidden under the shim cap and looked quite normal from outside till you went exploring. Another interesting repair due to isolated location I would suggest. Mind you it has worked so points for creativity to the farmer and his twine.
Certainly not how I do things.
The nut surface that runs in the seal is damaged which is why I am looking to replace. Believe it or not the rest of the box looks in good shape. I am putting it down to hitting a stump while turning as there was a good sort of flat spot on the offending side front rim.
Bradson