wobbly steering wheel

[Redpine]

B9200 has wobbly steering wheel, otherwise steers fine. Any ideas as to the likely cause and what is needed to repair it?

The top end of the steering column is lose, moving freely 1/2 inch or more horizontally in all directions. There is no noticeable rotational play turning the the wheel.

The tractor came with the 30 acres. I am a newbie and have not done much mechanical work and that was mostly tuneups and brakes on a VW bug in the 70s . I appreciate any guidance. would love to upgrade but need to make this one work for a few more years at least.

Thanks

 

[Bulldog]

Probably need a few more details. Is it just the steering wheel loose, steering rod ends, steering box worm drive? It may be a easy fix but just don't know what you have going on. Wolfman can find a parts list for about anything if you can narrow down your problem.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Yes more info please.

 

[Redpine]

The top end of the steering column is lose, moving freely 1/2 inch or more horizontally in all directions. There is no noticeable rotational play turning the the wheel.

 

[kubotasam]

You state the steering column moves. I am guessing the steering wheel moves inside the column. If your tractor is not power steering then what is probably wrong is a worn out rubber bushing just under the steering wheel. It guides the steering shaft up through the center of the steering column.

 

[Apogee]

Red,

I second the bushing just under the wheel.

You might also consider changing the oil in the steering box while you're at it. Water getting inside or them going dry is one of the most common failure points.

Best,

Steve

 

[Redpine]

Yes the steering wheel moves inside the column. Can the bushing be replaced without removing the steering box?

The tractor has been stored undercover so hopefully no water got into the box.

 

[Apogee]

Yes.

Remove the steering wheel and you'll find the rubber bushing directly below it. The bushing is installed from the top. The box doesn't need to be removed.

 

[Redpine]

Great!

Thanks!

 

[Apogee]

More...

I guessed at your specific model. Go to Kubota's website, accept the terms and type in your specific model. This attached pic will give you a good idea though...

http://www.kubota.com/part/partsList.aspx

Good luck!

Steve

PS - I apologize for the tiny image. Don't know what the heck is going on with the board software (it keeps re-scaling the image very small) and I don't have time to fix it right now. You can see the bushing under the wheel though... Just go the Kubota site and you will be able to see it better and get the correct part number.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

There is 2 different steering columns on that model, is it manual steering or power?

 

[BadDog]

I believe my B2150 with power steering is similar to yours with PS, not sure how manual steering might be different.

I just got through replacing the upper seal on mine. Never had a steering wheel (the actual wheel) leak before. Anyway, the upper shaft is attached to the lower shaft with a slab side drive, a spring that is installed to push them apart, and a pin to resist the spring. The upper shaft is not in any way located rigidly on it's own. But there is a longish rubber bushing at the top of the steering shaft tube. That bushing locates the splined shaft and keeps the wheel from doing what you describe. Without further details and specifics, I would guess that the bushing is missing or badly deteriorated. That's also assuming that the splined wheel hub itself is still intact and rigidly connected so that the wheel and upper shaft move as a rigid unit.

 

[twodose]

Was wondering if you ever resolved this issue with the bushing, I am having the same problem with the steering wheel moving in all directions, had the dealer replace the fuel sensor and they had to remove the wheel, when it came back it was wobbling terrible, service came up and looked at it, I was there and helped him take apart, the bushing was intact but looked worn pretty good, but down in the column was a pile of string like rubber what looked like the remains of an additional bushing or maybe even parts of the (090) bushing on Kubota.com parts list. Anyway mine is a 2001 B2910, ps, telescopic. Thanks