5xi steering wheel woes

[cdsl810 181]

I need to remove the steering wheel on my 522xi so that I can replace the rubber boot under the wheel. I have tried everything I can think of to remove it. My 8 inch gear puller won't even do it... it ends up slipping off because the plastic deforms under pressure and the jaws slip. I even had another person pull up as hard as they can while tapping the shaft with a punch and 2 lbs. hammer. There are no pins or other hardware holding it in place--just friction. Any ideas?

[Rick_in_CT 156]

Never had the need to remove the wheel when I had a 5xi, but attached is from the factory service manual on how to remove it.

Good luck.

Rick

 522xi steering wheel.pdf 

[cdsl810 181]

Thank you. Looks like the steering wheel puller that I don't have.

[cdsl810 181]

That's a harmonic balancer puller they are using. I will give it a shot tomorrow.

[cdsl810 181]

I can't find a puller with a large enough width. All the currently available consumer products are too small. I'm going to see if I can find one to rent. I would love to know what kit the Toro service manual shows.

[cdsl810 181]

PUBLIC SERVICE BULLETIN..........

DO NOT follow the procedure for removing the 5xi series steering wheel. That probably worked great when these things were brand new. It does not work now. This procedure actually destroyed the steering wheel. I followed the instructions to the letter...I used common sense...I finally had the proper equipment. IT DOES NOT WORK FOR A WHEEL THAT HAS FUSED ITSELF TO THE STEERING COLUMN!!! PB Blaster did nothing to help out this time, even after soaking it for days. You could even see the PB Blaster running down below the steering wheel on the column. So I know it penetrated properly.

If you decide to follow the factory service manual procedure, what happens is that the puller and corrosion are stronger than the plastic that the wheel is made from. It will shred your steering wheel spokes and permanently deform the center of the plastic wheel.

Now, I will have to remove the entire power steering column assembly with the wheel attached. I may be able to cut the wheel off, but if the steering shaft gets cut, the entire assembly needs replaced ($310). The steering wheel is no longer available to purchase new (it was only $80 if you could). So, at a minimum I need a new steering wheel--IF--I can cut the old one off and leave the column assembly intact. The New Holland GT22 tractor is identical in every way to the 522xi, except for the color and decals (and who got the money). I will have to check to see if a New Holland dealer can hook me up with a steering wheel. Maybe another manufacturer used that wheel as well. NOT HAPPY RIGHT NOW>>>>>

This could be a routine repair that turned into a $400 investment.

 

[WNYPCRepair 1,923]

Ouch, sorry to hear that

[Aldon 4,828]

On the usual auction site there is a column assembly for ~ 25 bucks. I think it's titled for 518 but indicates it is also for other models. A couple steering wheels as well. Not sure if there is a match for yours. I searched "Toro XI steering" to get the results.

[cdsl810 181]

On the usual auction site there is a column assembly for ~ 25 bucks. I think it's titled for 518 but indicates it is also for other models. A couple steering wheels as well. Not sure if there is a match for yours. I searched "Toro XI steering" to get the results.

Thank you for the tip. That part won't work with the 522xi. The one posted there is for manual steering which has a solid steering shaft that goes through the part shown. The 522xi has power steering, and although the assembly looks the same on the outside, there is no solid shaft--just a valve actuator down in there for the hydro steering valves. It has what looks like a shaft where the steering wheel attaches, but it is not removable. The whole assembly is $310.

--UPDATE--
Crap. The New Holland steering wheel fits, but it is a different style.

Edited August 18, 2015 by cdsl810

[Aldon 4,828]

Sorry. Not familiar enough with that series tractor I guess. Had hoped to help you save a buck. 

[cdsl810 181]

I was able to fix the plastic damage on the steering wheel. Now you can't tell anything at all happened. It is still stuck.

My neighbor, who is a professional mechanic, came over and we both worked on it with all his tricks and tools. Still no budge. The dust cap inside the top of the shaft assembly got cracked though. I'm going to end up just saving up for a new assembly and cutting the wheel off the old one. All this for a $12 steering boot that was ripped. I'm just trying to get this 522xi back to like new condition.

It appears that the ring inside the steering wheel that press-fits to the top of the steering shaft is made out of aluminum. That is the issue. Over time, it has literally fused itself to the steel shaft. I really don't think anything will separate them at this point. If the shaft is cut, then I should be able to pound or drill the stub out from the bottom side of the steering wheel and reuse the wheel. It looks like it will be a while before this problem is resolved. So, heads up 5xi owners! Beware of the steering wheel removal, and try to ignore the ripped boot. BTW, the new boot has been redesigned with a small hole the diameter of the shaft instead of a steering wheel sized hole that catches with friction and eventually tears out. I will post an update if and when I ever get this done.

[mikekot3 93]

I have a tool which I use very often for corroded or stuck fasteners or bearings, etc. It is called a mini-inductor II which induction heats the metal part very well.
Typically I spray some PB blaster on the parts and then use the appropriate coil do the bolt or whatever size needed and push the button for 120 seconds and let it cool a bit and then heat it again with the tool and a few more times each time spraying lube on the mating parts. It is like magic wand for me to take apart rusted parts. It has paid for itself many times over the years.
Just remember to unplug the tool when not using it for more than a few minutes as the transformer inside gets warm to the touch in the tool. Also the loom or braid on the coils is a bit fragile when it is hot for be careful setting it down.
The optional coil kit is not optional in my opinion and is very handy to have on hand.
Here is a link to the manufacturers web site:
http://www.theinductor.com/index.php?m=50&s=24

It is available from thetoolwarehouse.net or tooltopia.com
 

[DennisThornton 4,771]

cdsl810, sorry to here of your troubles.  Awful when you follow all the right steps and crap still happens!

I have an Lxi and thought I read that only the Lxi had PS.  Seems either I read or remembered wrong or there's an exception to every r...

So yours is definitely an "xi" and definitely has PS?

My steering boot is a mess as well and I was going to order one!  Maybe not now!  I'm following and I will also keep an eye out for you (and for me!)

Please share any tips you run across!  Though that inductor "mikekot3" sure sounds interesting!

[cdsl810 181]

The 520Lxi has power steering, the 520xi had optional power steering, but came manual from the factory (that's what my local dealer told me anyway). All of the 522xi and 523Dxi models have power steering standard. The 518xi was manual only. The dealer went so far as to tell me that the removal procedure in the service manual was in there because many customers were having the dealer add the option to their 520xi. I wonder what that cost?

I mentioned before that the new replacement boot is redesigned compared to the one that ripped off of my 522xi. The old one had an opening basically the diameter of the steering wheel--the new one only has an opening the diameter of the steering shaft. I imagine that this was an attempt to have them last longer, since the edge of the wheel can't catch on the opening with the smaller hole. Just as a precaution, I plan on adding a large nylon washer or cap that will go between the wheel and the boot so that there is no chance of the rubber getting chewed up. I'm only planning on doing this once.

 

Edited August 19, 2015 by cdsl810

[shallowwatersailor 3,214]

. I'm only planning on doing this once.

 

Until you get a second 5xi. You can't just have one! 

[DennisThornton 4,771]

Thanks for more info on the power steering.  I took notes!

For sure it is nice!  Nice setup to add a FEL to!

[cdsl810 181]

One day I hope to have a FEL. Or, if the guys at Johnny Bucket come through with a 5xi solution, that would work too.