Sloppy primary gear lever

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halloween
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Posts: 160
Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2011 8:05 pm
Location: County Galway, Ireland

Sloppy primary gear lever

Post by halloween »

While fitting my new pull to stop cable this afternoon, while i had the tin plate off the front of the steering box I noticed that moving the primary gear lever up or down, is not actually turning the shaft it is mounted to. Can someone please tell me how the lever fastens to the shaft? Please god it's not splined!

Thanks
'Lily' 1959 Fordson Power Major

Dandy Dave
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Joined: Thu Apr 02, 2009 2:49 am
Location: Copake, NY

Re: Sloppy primary gear lever

Post by Dandy Dave »

Mine was also loose. All I had to do is tighten the bolt. It is not splined, but does have a cutout where the bolt is positioned. Find a happy medium and tighten it. Dandy Dave!
Have a Fordsonful day Folks!

1960 Fordson Power Major

halloween
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Posts: 160
Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2011 8:05 pm
Location: County Galway, Ireland

Re: Sloppy primary gear lever

Post by halloween »

Out came the spanners and off came the primary gear lever (eventually, with the help of a lump hammer and a crowbar!)

The cotter pin appears a little battered on the weirdly shaped face. (Why couldn't Fordson just use the plain type of cotter pin that fastened the pedals on my bike when I was a kid?) Anyway, there was a small 'pip' of metal at the wider end of it, which would probably stop the pin being pulled far enough down, so hopefully it should be an easy fix. Otherwise, would it make sense to sand down the pin a bit to make it seat further down and hopefully contact the shaft? Because I think my chances of finding a new pin are slim to none. (I have visions of having to weld the lever to the shaft!!!)

Would it be possible to switch from high to low ratio and vice versa with the engine off and without the clutch? Just wondering for reassembly to be sure I got it working correctly. How much effort should the lever need? Because chances are it has not shifted between ratios for at least 20 years.

Thanks!
'Lily' 1959 Fordson Power Major

Dandy Dave
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Joined: Thu Apr 02, 2009 2:49 am
Location: Copake, NY

Re: Sloppy primary gear lever

Post by Dandy Dave »

It will shift with the motor off, But only if the teeth in the primary box are lined up. Maybe something is stuck internally? Mine takes a little effort to shift. But not too hard. Dandy Dave!
Have a Fordsonful day Folks!

1960 Fordson Power Major

halloween
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Posts: 160
Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2011 8:05 pm
Location: County Galway, Ireland

Re: Sloppy primary gear lever

Post by halloween »

I haven't tried moving it at all yet Dave, I just wondered if it would when I get it back together.
'Lily' 1959 Fordson Power Major

halloween
True Blue
Posts: 160
Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2011 8:05 pm
Location: County Galway, Ireland

Re: Sloppy primary gear lever

Post by halloween »

Tried to put the lever back on today and the shaft just pushed back inside the housing :(

Now I have to take the tank and everything off to take the primary gear housing off and see whats going on in there :cry:
'Lily' 1959 Fordson Power Major

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