Ford 630 steering box

On my 1963 Ford 630, I need to replace the left hand shaft that comes out of the steering box and connects to the pitman arm. The design of the steering box appears such that the right and left shafts might be the same, but the parts detail on this site suggests that the left side and right side may not be the same
see this page
http://www.yesterdaystractors.com/Ford-600_Steering-Sector-Right-Hand_251294.html
and this page
http://www.yesterdaystractors.com/Ford-600_Steering-Sector-Left-Hand_251293.html

Do I really have to replace both shafts as these two pages suggest?

The old ones were a finer tooth count than
the replacements. So your options are to
replace both with new or find a used one.

as mentioned, new replacements are different than originals.

And the shafts are not the same, the forward is a double sector, the aft a single sector.

What's wrong with yours that you want to change it. Usually about the only time they need replacing is when the tooth profile
wears to a blade making it impossible to adjust backlash effectively. Since you obviously don't have the box apart ( or you'd
know they are not the same shafts ), then you obviously havn't checked the tooth profile.

So what's the problem with the sector shaft?

the left shaft broke. I don't think welding is a good option

post a pic... Depending on where broke, and if the shaft is not deformed.. it might just weld up fine.. .

Those sector shafts/gears are not good candidates for welding - case hardened surfaces, etc.
I'm a pretty fair welder, or used to be.
If I had a broken one I would replace it.

It looks like a cast part, which I understand is tricky to weld. I have a local welder who can look it over for me

The gears I wouldn't want to weld, but have. By the time the gear faces wear, there's no case hardening left anyway. The shaft itself? Small to no benefit at this point in hardening just for riding in a seal and soft bushing. Besides wherever the seal rode, if it wore a groove, no hardning there either. And how many of us have seen torch reat used on those sector shaft spline ends?

When I got my 8n it was sporting a welded shaft. It re broke, had it welded again. Noticed worm shaft had been brazed, and it broke, had that welded. The 8n saw only mowing and seed spread duty after that though as I parked her 5 us later, where she still sets.

One of my 950's I had to weld on the front steering bolster gear and se to shaft. Its working junk, but works.

If i was to op, and in a pinch, welding would be a possibility, if i had a spare on the shelf, that would be the obvious choice. He will have to find a used spare.

Ps, I dont believe the replacement units being sold are hardened. I had to replace a set on a 640 & had to file some machining burs off, and the file went right in, if anything.. I'd say it was soft junk steel, polished up bright, sadly.. That file should have skated right over without biting. Well, at least the gear teeth won't ever chip'

Its not cast iron, if that's what you are thinking.

I believe they are drop forged steel.
Forged steel does weld well. But those are
likely forged, then rough machined, then
case hardened, then ground.
I have never been in such a pinch that I
thought welding something like that was an
appropriate fix.

Here are pics

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