JUSS10 250 #1 Posted June 12, 2010 so i noticed that the steering on my 704 has a lot of play. at first i thought it was the tie rods but upon closer investigation it appears to be the "rack" gear on the horizontal steering shaft on the frame. is there a pin in there that got sheered or something? maybe a set screw? if i could tighten that up i think it would take quite a bit of play out of the steering. thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickv1957 72 #2 Posted June 12, 2010 The fangear is held on with a 1/4" roll pin,they get loose after the years,I have drilled to 5/16" and installed new rollpin to tighten them back up,Rick Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buckeye 5 #3 Posted June 12, 2010 You can also shim the fan gear behind the cotter pin to pull it closer to the steering wheel shaft to remove play 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelly 1,029 #4 Posted June 13, 2010 I have one or two that have been welded, like the newer tractors just a thought if it's real bad. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JUSS10 250 #5 Posted June 13, 2010 i guess i will try and drill it out first and throw a 5/16 pin in but yeah, worst case i can weld. is there any reason you would ever need to take it off? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
linen beige 14 #6 Posted June 13, 2010 Study this drawing carefully. http://www.partstree.com/parts/?lc=toro_co...4-_1640006-0003 Make sure that the steering support (#25 in the drawing) is not cracked. They are somewhat prone to breaking, which lets them flex when the steering shaft puts stress on it. That, in turn, introduces slop between the fan gear and the steering pinion gear (#28). The collar (#30) at the top of the upper steering shaft (27) should be fairly tight against the bottom of the bushing (#32) where the shaft goes through the top of the "console/hood stand". If this collar is loose or the bushing is worn/missing, then the steering shaft can raise up when you turn it and give you slop. When you lift up and push down on the steering wheel you should get a very slight amount of "play" in the shaft, but not much. Just enough to feel it moving up and down. If the collar, bushing, and support are all good but you still have play, the hood stand can be tweaked downward slightly to remove the slack. As already mentioned, the lower steering shaft (33) may be being pushed too far forward because the shim (34) is worn/missing and a thicker shim can be added. The roll pins (#s 23 & 24) that hold the fan gear onto the lower steering shaft (there are TWO in the fan gear, one inside the other) may have broken or gotten loose. If the hole is enlarged it can be drilled oversize and a larger pin installed. I would venture a guess that the bushing at the top of your upper steering shaft is gone, and or the holes in the steering support and the front of the frame where the lower steering shaft turn have all become enlarged through years of use without proper greasing. If these holes are enlarged they can be bored out to make them round again and bronze bushings installed to tighten things back up. Another common problem is the steering arms (#22) becoming loose at the tops of the spindles (#21). Again, if the roll pins are loose the holes can be bored oversize and new pins installed. I would raise the tractor's front wheels off the ground and start wiggling things. Watch how all the parts react and any slop should become obvious after a few minutes of watching things move. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alrashid2 171 #7 Posted October 31 On 6/12/2010 at 8:57 PM, JUSS10 said: i guess i will try and drill it out first and throw a 5/16 pin in but yeah, worst case i can weld. is there any reason you would ever need to take it off? Just did exactly that and it tightened up the steering instantly! Played around with various washers and machine spacers for the perfect fit 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
