#1 and so it begins - RJ 58

[pezsox 31]

I posted on here awhile back and I finally got my in-laws to let me take home the one owner RJ 58 that was her fathers. At first I thought this should be a bone stock project...Wrong!

 

issue #1 - So after finally getting the tins off and the steering wheel off I started to do some investigating of peoples pics online and I realized really quickly it had a few additions and a few differences. First and foremost it looks as though he has added some sort of power/assisted/?? steering to this thing. Not being sure of what I am lookig at, here are some pics. This pump unit has been mounted on a plate that has been welded to the frame. It looks as though he has added this steering idea to work in conjuntion with a snow plow that he had (I am getting pics of that as well) So looking at other postings he has cut the entire section where the steering collar used to fit in down by the frame, and he has also welded the castle nut directly to the frame.

 

Can anyone provide details on how I can get this back to stock looking? I dont know the dimensions of the 45 degree collar that used to mount on the frame and how the steering column steers in conjunction with the castle nut?? sorry for being a little lost in translation here, but I just don't know how it got this way and how to get it back to original. I would like to either make or purchase this steering coupler thing (very scientific)

 

Don't worry, more to come. haha

 

 

[CasualObserver 3,408]

  Well, that's.... interesting.  Obviously some sort of steering box adapted from an old car or maybe a golf cart or something.  I'm sure it was done to slow down the steering.  Factory steering on the Rj is very quick from lock to lock.

 

Sorry, but I don't have any good pictures of my RJ's steering parts.  Someone will be along with some shortly though.

[pezsox 31]

well I certainly dont want to leave it that way. I would love to find the true steering mechanism and cut this junk out.

[VinsRJ 721]

You may in the end might just want to find a new front frame section. Whoever it was, cut the lower steering shaft mount off...

 

Front frames are not that expensive and it would rid you fo a lot of work.

[pezsox 31]

Can anyone explain or diagram or show a picture of what it is supposed to look like from when the steering shaft goes into the 45degree collar on the frame?

[AMC RULES 37,134]

What the Sam Hill?

These should help.  

[pezsox 31]

so when it goes into the collar how does it connect to the front end and what does that castle nut do? I see where the steering shaft slides in, but then I am lost as to the dynamics of what makes it steer.That pic is great, does anyone have a pic of the underside of a completed front end?

[AMC RULES 37,134]

Search "Wheelhorse RJ"...    

there's a cheap frame on ebay this week. 

Here in the manual, you'll see a parts diagram for your tractor. 

Edited November 19, 2013 by AMC RULES

[pezsox 31]

actually was just sending him an email, great minds think alike. I see the diagram but there really is nothing more than a steering shaft going into a collar and the front of the castle nut. I just dont understand the working dynamics of the steering and if i could have someone make that piece how does it work. the exploded diagram is great, but it is not showing the "how"

 

- does anyone have a pic of the underside of the front end?

- does anyone have that piece that I can purchase and reweld?

[buckrancher 2,692]

to bad your so far away I would give you a frame

 

Brian

 

Check out my stainless steel RJ58 build there are some goood pic's of the front steering setup

I basically copied a rj58 out of stainless

Edited November 20, 2013 by buckrancher

[pezsox 31]

In the pic is the "threaded nipple" that receives the front end piece and the castle nut in the red box welded directly to the frame?

 

In the pic is the piece in the green box (the piece that I am missing) the steering shaft continues down thru that and then attaches how to the steering?

 

sorry this is such a pain, I just cant understand from the exploding diagram what is happening under the green piece.

[AMC RULES 37,134]

Click on this pict and make it full screen. 

Notice laying in the grass, by the right side foot rest...

that is the rest of the pieces of the steering assembly that attach the steering shaft to the tie rod, which in turn, connect your steering spindles on each front wheel. 

Those pieces laying in the grass consist of a block that slides over the end of the steering shaft and is located to it with a roll pin. Capish? 

Edited November 20, 2013 by AMC RULES

[pezsox 31]

I will take a look at the exploded drawing and keep the green piece in mind. Obviously these could be made, the "red square" would be the fix I obviously would have to fabricate and repair, the "green square" is going to be something to look for. I am going to take apart the front end and see what is still there. This group is great, thanks for all of the info. Still merky on how the front end is set up, but getting there.

[pezsox 31]

finally found this pic, I knew I had seen this before. So now i have some guidlines, just minus the small block, steering shaft and the castle nut. slowly I carry on. haha

[rmaynard 15,583]

sorry this is such a pain, I just cant understand from the exploding diagram what is happening under the green piece.

If you open the thread that buckrancher linked to, you will see an excellent picture of what's happening under the green piece.

 

So to save you time, just click here. 

 

It's the last picture. That along with the diagram in the manual should give you a better idea.

 

Hope this helps.

Edited November 20, 2013 by rmaynard

[wallfish 17,078]

Yes, the threaded axle pivot for the castle nut should be welded to the frame.

 

The steering shaft is made from 3/4 steel rod with 2 holes drilled near the ends for roll pins. One hole for the steering wheel and one hole for the roll pin that holds that block on the ground (67) you highlighted in green. That block connects to the steering link in the pic above to steer the spindles. The 5/16 rod steering link (78) connects to the steering lug (67) and the spindle with pins (77) that swivel in the holes. Both Pins are #77 in the drawing.

 

The tube on the frame is made from DOM tube or mechanical tubing (which ever you prefer to call it). 3/4 ID x 1 OD. forgot how long but we can get you that dimension.

 

The last pic you posted above has the tierod (12) on backwards. The steering link (78) should be connected to the other side

Edited November 20, 2013 by wallfish

[posifour11 723]

I have one in pieces now. If you need additional pictures, let me know and I'll take some tomorrow.

[pezsox 31]

Well you guys inspired me so last night I tore the whole damn thing down. This hopefully will make it easier.

 

- I obviously need to torch, grind, and smooth the funky plate that was welded to the frame.

 

- I would need to fabricate the piece that is attached to the frame for the steering shaft to go into. Does anyone have a spare or a cad drawing. I have a pic that I would certainly need to know the dimensions that I listed, and angle if possible. This info helps tremendously - thanks

"The tube on the frame is made from DOM tube or mechanical tubing (which ever you prefer to call    it).3/4 ID x 1 OD"

 

I took pics of what I have for the front end.

 

- I am obviously missing

    - the tie rod that controls steering

    - the block with 2 holes that attaches to tie rod, and steering shaft

    - need to remove long bar/pin and replace

 

still a little iffy on the rest and holes and setup, but I appreciate all the help. It might not be nearly as bad as I thought. I am hoping to salvage the frame, but who knows. If anyone has any of these pieces I would appreciated a tag back.

 

On a different area, I am delivering my Kohler 90 engine today to a guy who has worked on them before, so hopefully it will be good news. it is a 1 owner engine, so now lets find out how good that one owner was. My mother in law thought he added the steering mechanism to work with a snow plow he has, so maybe a power steering thing, either way, it is gone now.

 

[pezsox 31]

thanks to everyone for the help. I was able to get the ridiculous cobbled mess at least kind of back in line with how this came from the factory. first and foremost I was able to torch off the plate that was installed, welded a collar for the steering wheel shaft, added a zerk for grease, and now just a little bit of grinding to do to make it "pretty"

 

now for part 2 of front end redo.

 

I found this pic online and have a few questions.

 

1. does anyone have either drawings or dimensions for the hi-lited green pieces, or does anyone have any for sale.

2. if you have one and I paid for mailing to me and back to you, can I use them for a fabricator to use as live dimension (I live in Washington)

3. does anyone on the forum live in Washington State?

4. The blue pieces hi-lited, do they have snap rings at the top of  the shaft that slides thru arm? I have seen some with nuts, snap rings, nothing (I assume the weight alone would hold them in??

 

nex post I will call #2 - more questions! There is no way that I could have started this without this forum. Thanks

[pezsox 31]

Well I am definately taking an inventory of what I will be needing and what I will be missing. I have read diligently thru the forum and am still looking for advice on a few of these pieces. I would love to have a static forum topic with names that everyone respects that deliver good quality in a timely manner. I would love any advice on these pieces you got, or if you have left overs...

 

after taking notes I am certainly going to be needing:

4 new tires

1 front rim

1 exhaust shield

1 belt cover

1 recoil starter for a Kohler 90

some front end pieces (#1 and so it begins describes)

All decals

 

I have my engine being looked at by "an old guy that used to work on these" as he claims. So since there is compression, there is hope. Next up transmission needs to be gone thru. I am hopeful that everything looks great. A little surface prep will go a long way.

[pezsox 31]

never looked in the link sections....haha

[AMC RULES 37,134]

Maybe placing a wanted ad in the classified section would help. 

[CasualObserver 3,408]

I'm going to merge your two topics together.  I think it's nicer to keep going in one single post if you don't mind... that way we can follow your project from start to finish.  No need to start a new topic.  (it might also get confusing later as people try to comment on both posts... you'll end up repeating stuff in both anyway!)

[pezsox 31]

i wondered about that, tried to give it the same title. I appreciate it thanks.

[pezsox 31]

.

Finally got some free time to work on my tractor project. I have finished the cobbled mess of a front steering. I also got enough information gathered from this fine group to get a few pieces made that I just havent been able to track down. (this would have been so much easier had the front end been left alone)

 

1. found out my engine has good compression and I will just need a carb tuneup

2. welded and fixed the steering mechanism - just wating for the steering block, and pins pins to be made so that I can get a tie rod made

3. grinded and painted the frame

4. grinded, sanded, soda blasted and cleaned mostly all of my parts

5. primered and painted most of my pieces. Wow is that  alot of red!

 

just waiting on my engine to come back from the shop, and my steering pieces to be made. Now its getting somewhere