Adding Grease Grooves in Steering Shaft

[ri702bill 11,023]

I decided to add shallow grooves on the steering shaft to retain grease under the welded-on gear. The coiled pin in the steering wheel did not want to budge, so I had to leave the upper end assembled. I had to do some creative fixturing but added five equally spaced shallow (.030 deep) grooves inline with the root of every other tooth of the gear using a ball endmill. 

 

[Wayne0 1,444]

The only problem I see is the grease has a way to go out, not stay in. I think a radial groove would be better. Maybe with a couple short cuts in the shaft that don't go to the end. My 

[ri702bill 11,023]

The grease goes out the bottom anyway - there is a blow-out from the OE machining process. I figure the packed shallow grooves help to smear the grease.

 

[Retired Wrencher 6,285]

I think we would like to know how this work out. Keep us in the loop.

[JoeM 9,427]

Is the lose of bearing surface greater than the advantage of the grease groove? 

Taken the joint is serviced timely. 

[ri702bill 11,023]

Joe - the fit between the shaft and the hole in the steering block is no longer loose. I resized the hole for a sleeve bearing.

1 hour ago, Retired Wrencher said:

I think we would like to know how this work out. Keep us in the loop.

I did the same on my 502 a while back. That tractor has over a dozen bushings added at common wear points. The steering is tight and can be done with almost no effort.

12 minutes ago, JoeM said:

Taken the joint is serviced timely

That is one of the quirks of a C series. The steering block grease fitting is all but hidden and mostly overlooked by someone in a hurry.

[WHX?? 53,919]

Not too far but I add a zerk to the bottom bearing hole. Really not needed must be the Greasy Pete in me. Out of the 50 tractors @ebinmaine has I've never seen one wallowed out. 

Not sure if adding it is worth weakening that area. 

 

[JoeM 9,427]

Just for conversation sake, the 520 reduction steering seems to have the most wear in this area. I have seen 800 plus hour machines with no wear compared to another that is egg shaped. The later not being serviced.

 

One real problem with these joints is dirt / dust grinding out the fit as well as the teeth. 

As you said the fitting is tough to access. Maybe a short, remote grease hose would be the bonus?

 

 

[peter lena 9,655]

@ri702bill  like the idea of that  , personally , have never had any related movement failure , since going to  lucas  x tra hd  green chassis grease , no deck spindle , failures , wheels , every pulley  ,  550 deg flash point , polyurea  rated , deck spin up is  smooth , quiet . easy , every rotational area , experimentation . my pto lever set up  is also heim joint  enhanced , regularly  experiment with any repetitive anything , also usually not a major  change , but detailing  , you know , go over  every stage  of function , pete

[ri702bill 11,023]

Lower bearing grease fitting - I do the same, but install that 45 degree fitting on the other side... easier access as I recall.... 

 

 

[ebinmaine 76,652]

3 hours ago, WHX?? said:

Out of the 50 tractors @ebinmaine has I've never seen one wallowed out. 

Not sure if adding it is worth weakening that area. 

 

50?

I wish....

 

 

I can't say "wallowed out" but I definitely have seen some that had very loose tolerances. 

I've been saving a few worn out pillow blocks to experiment with.  

[WHX?? 53,919]

55 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

but install that 45 degree fitting on the other side...

I wasn't thinking 

 

3 hours ago, JoeM said:

As you said the fitting is tough to access. Maybe a short, remote grease hose would be the bonus?

 

I have seen those, mostly on heavy equipment, and could see them on 520s with a cab on. Or a 953 steering box. 

Edited 2 hours ago by WHX??