1961 Suburban 551 Rescue

[Dave D. 110]

Getting up an order of 94830A130 flex top lock nuts for the differential.

Fall seems like a good time to go into the transmission.

Watching the tranny rebuild videos now. 

 

Dave

 

 

[Dave D. 110]

A little work this evening. Worked on the steering wheel. Bed liner all stripped off. More PC-7 and sanded. Now it's primed in and just need spot putty in a few places.

 

Now primed in. Just a little more finessing, then painting.

 

Dave

[wallfish 20,721]

VERY nice!  Steering wheel restoration like that takes a lot of work and time and it looks real nice..

Since you are going through all that work to make it perfect, you should trim off, or grind off that protruding shaft above the collar in the center of the wheel before painting it. I've never seen a factory steering wheel with the 3/4" shaft protruding above that collar. They set them ALL flat 

Just  my 

[Dave D. 110]

Worked on the hood today. Coated it with Penetrol. Starting to look better.

Got to add some metal where they cut it to get the hood off, but looking better.

Making progress.

 

Dave

[Dave D. 110]

Worked some this week on the 551 among other projects.

Steering wheel is done.

More questions on this tractor.

The steering bushings seem rusted and worn out. Do you just Cuse a hone and clean them up?

Is there a fix? Can you install a sleeve? The top support bearing is really rusty and there are some grooves in the steering shaft where you grease it.

Also, it looks as if someone cut the shaft where the brake and clutch pedals are attached.

 Will I need to re-weld this shaft? The collar holds them, although I don't think it would be too strong.

 

Getting ready to tear into the tranny.

Thanks for all the info so far.

 

Dave