The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

Hi Guys,

I have developed bad front wheel wobble and I dont know what to do next.
I have changed all the spindle bushes and the red rubbery washers on top, the steering box is as tight as can be expected for a Super dexta, the front axle pin was replaced.

I have also tried swapping the two front wheels but this did not help.

could it be to do with the radius arms or the rods which connect from the steering box to the spindles.

Please help
Niall

Dear Niall

Presumably you have steering shake, as the wheels oscillate from side to side at certain speeds. Has this suddenly happened, or have you a different weight (implement) on the back of the tractor? Does it only occur at road speed, or all the time? Go for the simple stuff first:

Check tyre pressures are correct.
Check and adjust front wheel bearings.
Most likely candidate is toe-in. Check with the steering box in the central position that toe-in is between half (1/2") to a quarter (1/4") of an inch.
Check that your front and rear drag link ends are not worn.

See if that lot throws up any answers.

Tim E

Hi Tim,

it happens at road speed only and there is no shudder in the steering wheel, she sits straight with the RHS from the seat wheel wobbling like crazy, it has started to get to the point where it is worrying going down the road.
i will check what you suggested the tyre pressure i know is good, and i had no idea i could adjust the wheel bearing, how do i do that?

Thanks again,
Niall

Dear Niall

Wheel Bearing Adjust. Jack up front wheel, grasp wheel at top and bottom and rock to see if there is excessive play. Remove hub cap, remove split pin through big adjusting nut. Rotate the wheel and at the same time tighten the nut until a heavy drag can be felt. Turn back the nut one castellation at a time (lining up with split pin hole) until the wheel will rotate freely, but with no end play. Fit new split pin, fill hub with grease and replace.

I bet one hub nut will have a nail, rather than a split pin in it!

Tim E

hi you may also check the joint at the end of the radius rods at the pedal end ,
theses may be worn , remove the pedal bolts and make half round type fillers
these can be made from copper from an old copper cylinder/boiler
or just use the one out of
your house im sure the missus wont mind or something simular
this will take up the ply in radius rods and wobble will be gone
untill these wear down good luck sky blue

I had bad wheel wobble and cured it by replacing the two Radius arm bolts that go through the axle. Use the bolts that are the same as the wing mounting bolts.
Cheers
Jerry

Swap left & right front wheels, and see if wobble follows the wheel. If yes, check wheel for balance and straightness.

If no, then prob lies with axle or steering linkage.

I suspect SkyBlue has hit the nail on the head with the radius rod ball end.

The alternative to packing with a thin spacer is to file/grind a little off the back of the footpeg where it bolts onto the tractor, thereby slightly reducing the space for the ball of the radius rod.

Try using a coke can, cut it into two thin strips and place them around the ball ends.
Be careful as you may overtighten and crack the pedal casting!!
Jerry