WheelhorseBob 1,550 #1 Posted July 23, 2020 As I work my way through my new to me 520H I noticed that the steering has a lot of slop in it. It has about 2.5-3" of slop when turning the wheel. Is this "normal"? This is a low hour machine at just over 300 on the clock so I wouldn't expect a lot of wear on the components. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 42,186 #2 Posted July 23, 2020 That's quite a lot of slop. Can you nail it down to tie rod ends, steering gear, etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 72,997 #3 Posted July 23, 2020 I don't know if there's an actual spec but I'd think no more than maybe an inch of rotation on the wheel. Ours are less. Like Ed said - start at the steering wheel and work your way through the system piece by piece. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JAinVA 4,638 #4 Posted July 24, 2020 (edited) There are a lot of You-tube videos about 520h steering issues and corrections .If you are used to any non gear reduction WH systems the 520 will never be as crisp in steering response for long, no matter what you do. Edited July 24, 2020 by JAinVA Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,858 #5 Posted July 24, 2020 Look at the play at the fan gear as you turn the steering wheel left and right. If there is slop there, remove the cotter pin holding the 3/4" nut and turn it in till little play is left. If the nut goes in so far that the cotter pin doesn't engage the nut properly, add a washer behind the nut. If you grease the zerk and clean and grease the fan gear, wear will be reduced. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelhorseBob 1,550 #6 Posted July 24, 2020 Quote I checked it out tonight, no play at the rod ends. All play seems to be above the "fan" gear. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
608KEB 796 #7 Posted July 24, 2020 I used a shim in the fan gear and steering rod that is on the bottom side of tractor. Try a search on you tube. Look up " The Snow Chucker" wheel Horse 520H. He rebuilt a 520H and fixed the slop in his steering. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shallowwatersailor 3,214 #8 Posted July 24, 2020 In place of using the cotter pin, I have used a locking ring/clamp collar with an allen set screw with good results. I think that it was a 3/4" lock ring. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelhorseBob 1,550 #9 Posted July 24, 2020 Watched the snow chucker video. I'll try the 3/4" nut adjustment first. hopefully that does it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
608KEB 796 #10 Posted July 25, 2020 His name is "The horsefixer". You'll find his 520H rebuild on YouTube. He goes in depth on fixing sloppy steering Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 7,224 #11 Posted July 25, 2020 (edited) On 7/23/2020 at 9:04 PM, WheelhorseBob said: I checked it out tonight, no play at the rod ends. All play seems to be above the "fan" gear. My 1989 520-H the steering wheel was so loose it was hitting the top of the dash. The pot metal in the steering has slots worn into it. My temoperary fix was to drive out the roll pin replace it with a 1/4" bolt and grind 1/4" washers square to fit into the plastic recess on the wheel. I used 3 or 4 washers each side. It is alot better doesn't fill like the steering wheel is going to come off now. Edited July 25, 2020 by Lee1977 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
