1020 loose steering

Mitch D

Member
Working on 1020 that has about 1/3 turn in the wheel before anything happens. the wheel goes up and down as turned and is the same running as it is shut off. It is inside the steering unit as the arm coming down to the drag link don't even move, and it is tight on the splines. The archives don't really answer this problem and the tech book is rather vague to it also...

Thanks Mitch
 
Splines are likely worn out inside that big pitman arm. Mine was like that when I first got it (Deere 300B). I got a new one here and fixed the problem. Deere Dubuque machines like 1020s and 300s have course-spline arms that wear. Newer ones went to fine spline.
 
Here is the one I replaced. Price sure went up. It was $89 when I got mine.
a152287.jpg
 
Check the arm up front too, the pin and bushings wear,, I press a new pin into the old arm and save a lot of money..
 
There is an inspection plug you can pop out and look right in at the part of that arm that wears. You should see the arm wobbling inside the worn pitman arm when you move the steering wheel. Very easy to see if that is the problem.
 
My 1020 had something like this happen. The nut underneath the steering wheel became loose and allowing the wheel to turn before anything happened. The tractor was new to me and after using it a bit I notice a bit of fluid leaking down the steering column. Ended up pulling the steering wheel and putting in a new o-ring and seal as well as replacing the steering wheel. I originally thought my issues was what JDEM pointed out until the leak popped up.
 
I have seen the "link" (parts catalog refers to it as a fitting, T22261) that connects the steering piston to the bellcrank get elongated holes and cause a lot of play. The bad news is its NLA from Deere, should be lots at wreckers though.
 

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