Adding a ball bearing to steering

[1990Onan520-H 15]

Hey all, I have searched now for almost an hour and cannot find this so am hoping someone can help. I know a member installed a ball bearing in their upper steering tower and there was a specific bearing with a cutout in it I thought that they used. Does anyone have the link to that thread?

 

TIA

[WHX?? 49,486]

Pretty sure @cleat has done it. If I remember right it was just a standard pillow block style bearing. 

[peter lena 8,876]

can,t find my thread, but i have done this on my 3 horses , that ball bearing threw me off, i used this , a 3/4" bore  2 bolt flange , https://www.google.com/search?q=2+bolt+flange+bearing+3/4+bore&sxsrf=ALeKk02SkGzgvTMDbce6Ut9o5lO5OUPq6A:1586191894032&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjbu46jodToAhXxlHIEHRPFARQQsxh6BAgNECw&biw=1024&bih=625 this is a very strong cast flange , the only thing you will have to make up is a transition piece from your existing mount to the new bearing mount. you will be removing your dash console to do this, but its so worth it . bearing is cheap ,under 10 $ . while i was in there i also shimmed up my , PTO  LEVER START MOUNT POINT , lower edge of battery tray , lever is sloppy , fill the gap with washers and grease it, snug and smooth movement. i will send you my link to that , good luck with it , pete

[1995 520H+96+97 937]

  https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/topic/62446-upgraded-steering-shaft-bearings-on-520s/?tab=comments#comment-584578

 

Edited April 6, 2020 by 1995 520H+96+97

[peter lena 8,876]

1990onan520-h,  here is the link to the pto lever improvement, looking at first picture ,you can see the lever point washer build up to secure lever at bottom of battery tray , you can also see a 3/8" elastic lock nut to the left , holding one side of my flange bearing to the steering column . https://www.google.com/search?q=2+bolt+flange+bearing+3/4+bore&sxsrf=ALeKk02SkGzgvTMDbce6Ut9o5lO5OUPq6A:1586191894032&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjbu46jodToAhXxlHIEHRPFARQQsxh6BAgNECw&biw=1024&bih=625  done this on my 3 horses , worth the change for the better , pete

[1990Onan520-H 15]

10 minutes ago, peter lena said:

can,t find my thread, but i have done this on my 3 horses , that ball bearing threw me off, i used this , a 3/4" bore  2 bolt flange , https://www.google.com/search?q=2+bolt+flange+bearing+3/4+bore&sxsrf=ALeKk02SkGzgvTMDbce6Ut9o5lO5OUPq6A:1586191894032&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjbu46jodToAhXxlHIEHRPFARQQsxh6BAgNECw&biw=1024&bih=625 this is a very strong cast flange , the only thing you will have to make up is a transition piece from your existing mount to the new bearing mount. you will be removing your dash console to do this, but its so worth it . bearing is cheap ,under 10 $ . while i was in there i also shimmed up my , PTO  LEVER START MOUNT POINT , lower edge of battery tray , lever is sloppy , fill the gap with washers and grease it, snug and smooth movement. i will send you my link to that , good luck with it , pete

Thanks Pete. I was thinking of getting the foot pedal conversion too and doing the pedal conversion, bearing and upgrading to gear reduction steering all in one shot. Probably throwing on the rock shaft and cable setup too. Engine is already currently off the machine due to a chucked rod so should make this easier. This is all for my 1990 520-H. Once all this is completed it will be time to find a new engine. ha!

[1990Onan520-H 15]

4 minutes ago, peter lena said:

1990onan520-h,  here is the link to the pto lever improvement, looking at first picture ,you can see the lever point washer build up to secure lever at bottom of battery tray , you can also see a 3/8" elastic lock nut to the left , holding one side of my flange bearing to the steering column . https://www.google.com/search?q=2+bolt+flange+bearing+3/4+bore&sxsrf=ALeKk02SkGzgvTMDbce6Ut9o5lO5OUPq6A:1586191894032&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjbu46jodToAhXxlHIEHRPFARQQsxh6BAgNECw&biw=1024&bih=625  done this on my 3 horses , worth the change for the better , pete

Looks like this is the flange link again.

[peter lena 8,876]

sorry about that , look up    IMPROVE PTO LEVER ACTION , pete

[1990Onan520-H 15]

  

1 hour ago, peter lena said:

can,t find my thread, but i have done this on my 3 horses , that ball bearing threw me off, i used this , a 3/4" bore  2 bolt flange , https://www.google.com/search?q=2+bolt+flange+bearing+3/4+bore&sxsrf=ALeKk02SkGzgvTMDbce6Ut9o5lO5OUPq6A:1586191894032&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjbu46jodToAhXxlHIEHRPFARQQsxh6BAgNECw&biw=1024&bih=625 this is a very strong cast flange , the only thing you will have to make up is a transition piece from your existing mount to the new bearing mount. you will be removing your dash console to do this, but its so worth it . bearing is cheap ,under 10 $ . while i was in there i also shimmed up my , PTO  LEVER START MOUNT POINT , lower edge of battery tray , lever is sloppy , fill the gap with washers and grease it, snug and smooth movement. i will send you my link to that , good luck with it , pete

 

What year machines did you do this on? I am looking at my 90 and there is only a 2 inch gap between the column shifters so those flanges won't fit. It looks like it will work just fine on my 88 though.

Edited April 6, 2020 by 1990Onan520-H

[peter lena 8,876]

sorry about that , look up    IMPROVE PTO LEVER ACTION , pete

[peter lena 8,876]

installed in years  91-93-82 , added a piece of angle steel , spanned between sides of consol . i did not have column shifters , pete

[1990Onan520-H 15]

4 hours ago, peter lena said:

installed in years  91-93-82 , added a piece of angle steel , spanned between sides of consol . i did not have column shifters , pete

Ah. Ok yeah not going to work for my 520. I'll have to figure something else out. Thanks for the info.

[peter lena 8,876]

good luck with it , keep us informed when you can , pete