53 M Steering

[Dads M]

My M has a shimmy. Is the only way to fix is by replacing worm and gear. If so, where is a good source for replacement parts?

[Powered by IH]

Narrow front?

You can try turning the gear if it hasn't been turned already and it is the circle style.

Otherwise you might need new parts.

[Jeff-C-IL]

YOu might first check the gear engagement and the bushings.   While I am not familiar with the M, IIRC we tightened up dads 400 by changing the bushings and then shimming the bevel gears so they fit tighter together.   But that was 40 years ago...so I may be remembering wrong.

[farmalldr]

Also check the u joint mid way between the gear box and steering wheel .

[jd560]

Check the bearing at the front end of the steering shaft. Normal steering action puts a lot of end ways stress on that bearing.  My 51 m had that shimmy bad until the bearing got wore so bad the balls came out of the races.  A new bearing from Napa fixed the shimmy problem. 

[drglinski]

I got a replacement gear from Steiners and that really helped my 51.  Didn't completely eliminate it but it's a lot better. 

[HydroTek]

That top bushing for the main shaft has to fit tight to the shaft

Any slack in the bushing will translate to "slack" in the worm gear

Work the steering back and forth and look for the side movement in the main shaft 
easiest with the top cover off 

You need the old black sulfur oil in there
or use corn head grease -- EP0 

If you can still get it -- the worm shaft bearing from the 560 was a zero clearance bearing 

[Straanger]

Steiner did a video about rebuilding the steering on an M.