XLT 13 #1 Posted October 11, 2019 Is the steering gear/tower made of cast iron? It was cracked when I bought it welded it back together, but seems to have been brittle and cracked again. Acting like cast iron... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,302 #2 Posted October 11, 2019 I believe it is cast iron, not a good candidate for welding. Perhaps silver solder would have worked, but too late now. Look for a good used one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,265 #3 Posted October 11, 2019 Show me a pic if what you need. I'll see if I have one.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 16,982 #4 Posted October 11, 2019 cast steel. It can easily be welded but yes, it's still hard and brittle. It's a common problem with that particular part. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,059 #5 Posted October 11, 2019 If you clean the parts, grind a chamfer on each side to be welded, clamp the two pieces tightly and heat them prior to welding you will have greater success. Even cast steel has a granular structure that will fracture if only heated at one point. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,761 #6 Posted October 12, 2019 I've had a couple of tractors come thru with that broke then welded. I showed one to my pro welder and he he said it's hit and miss with getting the heat and filler just right. When I told him they were less than a rare part and somewhat available off parts tractors just get a different one. Not worth trying to weld. A 701 might be a different matter. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
