The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

Had to reconnect the steering ram thread to rod end joint on my neighbours 3600 about a month ago, all OK until he was rushed into hospital last week and while the girls were mucking out it snapped the n/s ram inside the cylinder (there had been a bend in the rod which I did my best to eliminate during my repair) so I got a panic call that it had died and spewed oil everywhere.

Managed to get the cylinder off its mount OK plus the rod end bits, a local repair outfit picked them up with a view to replacing when fixed, however I'm a bit concerned that the bend in the ram was much worse than when I refitted it, I wondered if it was bottoming somewhere near full ram in (lh lock), which would explain the ram thread pulling out and the ram breakage - is there anything which can act as an endstop that needs checking ?? there is no link between near and offside king pin crank arms, each side being independent with a cylinder each side.

Any pointers welcome, it'll be a while before he's back in harness so more important than usual it is problem free.

At the bottom of the stub axles are the stops that prevent the stub axle moving overcentre when you turn. These get worn/broken off especially with power steering systems. Might be the first place to check.

Ah, thanks for that Brian, It was very mucky around it and fortunately I didn't need to lay down & dirty to get it apart, but neither did I look under that area either - will have a look when next I go down - replaceable stop or weld up to suit job normally ?