Model MA TOW Tractor. Manual - part 14

Chapter 3: Overhaul

Dec. 1995                     Section 3-2                        p. 1

II .

STEERING

If the tractor has been properly lubricated and maintained and has not experienced damage to the
steering system, the steering components will provide many hours of service without an overhaul.
Should overhaul be required, or suspected as being required, follow the procedure below:

A.

Jack up the front end of the tractor using normal jacking procedures ( i.e., chock rear tires, apply
hand brake, and place blocks under tractor front bumper).

B.

Inspect the steering linkage rod for damage.  Also check for wear of the linkage rod ball by
grasping the rod and shaking it.  If the linkage rod ball joints are loose, replace the rod.

C.

Grasp the top and bottom of each tire and shake it in and out to determine any wobble or loose-
ness, while observing the hub and spindle area.  If there is any wobble or looseness in the hub,
but the spindle is rigid, then the wheel bearings and seals should be adjusted by tightening the
hub retainer nut. If excessive noise is experienced after adjustment, the bearings and seals
should be replaced as follows:

1.

Remove the front wheels by removing the lug nuts on each wheel.

2.

Remove the hub plate attachment bolts, the hub plate, gasket, outer hub retainer nut, nut

lock, and inner hub retainer nut.

3.

Grasp the hub and slide it off the axle shaft.

4.

Remove the inner and outer seals and bearings from the hub and wipe the hub interior

clean.

5.

Inspect hub interior surfaces (bearing races) for scoring.  If the races are scored or worn,

replace with new races.

6.

Install new bearings and seals into the hub, packing the bearings with lithium-base grease,

and replace the hub onto the axle shaft.

7.

Secure the hub with the retainer nuts and nut lock and replace the hub plate.

8.

Install the wheel.

D.

Grasp the top and bottom of the wheel and check for spindle bolt and bushing wear by shaking
the wheel in and out while observing the hub and spindle area.  If the hub is rigid, but the spindle
has play in it at the axle connection, the spindle bolt and bushings should be replaced as follows
on each wheel:

1.

Remove the front wheels.

2.

Disconnect the spindle arm from the axle by removing the cotter pin and retainer nut.

3.

Remove the spindle bolt retainer clip, washer, and grease seal.

4.

Remove the spindle bolt and lock pin and pull the spindle bolt out the top of the spindle.

Chapter 3: Overhaul

Dec. 1995                     Section 3-2                        p. 2

II .

STEERING (CONT)

5.

Replace the two (2) bushings in the spindle bolt holes of the spindle.

6.

Clean and inspect the spindle bearing, replacing the bearing if worn, and repack the
bearing.

7.

Position the spindle onto the axle end with the bearing positioned between the lower flange
of the spindle and the axle end.

8.

Install spacers between the upper flange of the spindle and the axle until a snug installation

is obtained.

9.

Install the new spindle bolt and secure it in place within the axle and using the spindle bolt

lock pin.

10.

Install the grease seal, washer, and spindle bolt retainer clip.

11.

Install the spindle arm to the axle with the retainer nut and cotter pin.

12.

Install the wheel.

E.

Grasp the sides of the wheel and shake it from side to side while observing the rod ends. If
excessive movement of slack is observed in the rod connection ends, replace the connecting rod
ends as follows:

1.

Disconnect the rod ends from the spindle arms by removing the cotter pins and retainer

nuts.

2.

Remove the connecting rod and remove the rod end retainer clamps.

3.

Screw the new rod ends approximately 1/4-inch into each end of the rod.

4.

Install the connecting rod to the spindle arms, securing the connecting rod ends to the

spindle arms with the two (2) retainer nuts and cotter pins.

5.

With the wheels pointing straight forward, adjust the “toe-in” by turning the connecting rod

until the tire centerline-to-centerline distance across the back of the tires is 0 inch to 1/8
inch longer than the centerline-to-centerline distance across the front of the tires.

6.

After the toe-in adjustment has been accomplished, install the rod end clamps thus

securing the connecting rod adjustment.

Chapter 3: Overhaul

Dec. 1995                     Section 3-3                        p. 1

III.

DRIVE SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINTS

A.

DISASSEMBLY:

1.

Remove the drive shaft from the tractor.

2.

Place one section of the shaft in a vise being careful not to damage it.

3.

Remove the snap rings that retain the bearings.

4.

Press the bearing out of the flange by using a universal joint removal tool. If the bearing

cannot be pressed all the way out of the flange, remove it with vise grip or channel lock
pliers.

5.

Reposition the tool to press on the spider to remove the bearing from the opposite side of

the flange.

6.

Remove the flange from the spider.

7.

Remove the bearings and spider from the other end of the drive shaft, following the above

procedure.

8.

Clean all foreign matter from the flange and yoke of both drive shaft ends.

9.

Wash all parts in cleaning fluid. Use of vapor degreaser is permissible in lieu of kerosene

or other solvents. Make sure the lubricant passages in the journals for evidence of wear or
excessive heat.

10.

Soak the needle bearing assemblies in a commercial cleaning fluid to soften particles of

hardened grease. Then, wash these parts in cleaning fluid using a stiff brush if necessary
to remove all old lubricant. Check each bearing for missing rollers.

11.

After the needle bearing assemblies are thoroughly clean, apply clean lubricant to the

rollers. Rotate them on the trunnion of the journal to check wear. Fill the journal passages

with lubricant and fill the bearings approximately 1/3 full of lubricant before reassembly.

B.

ASSEMBLY:

1.

Start a new bearing into the yoke at the rear of the drive shaft.

2.

Position the spider in the rear yoke and press the bearing below the surface.

3.

Remove the tool and install a new snap ring.

4.

Start a new bearing into the opposite side of the yoke.

5.

Install the tool and press on the bearing until the opposite bearing contacts the snap ring.

6.

Remove the tool and install a new snap ring.

Chapter 3: Overhaul

Dec. 1995                     Section 3-3                        p. 2

7.

Reposition the drive shaft and install a new spider and two new bearings in the front yoke

in the same manner as the rear yoke.

8.

Position the flange on the spider and install two (2) new bearings and snap rings.

9.

Check the joint for freedom of movement. If a bind has resulted from misalignment during

the foregoing procedure, tap the ears of the drive shaft sharply to relieve the bind. Do not
install the drive shaft unless the universal joints are free of bind.

10.

Lubricate the universal joints with long life lithium based grease.