1943 Farmall M: Steering Bolster

[date: 2015-09-15]

Today my 9 year old son helped me clean up the steering bolster.

Common problems with the steering bolster is wobbly steering and leaking oil.

Wobbly steering can be caused by a worn worm gear, or worn sector gear. I suppose worn bushings could cause this too but I have not seen instances of this.

Leaking oil is caused by a bad upper oil seal. Some people delay replacing the seal by switching to a thicker oil (90W to 140W) or even a thin grease (corn head grease).

Part numbers:

Worm gear:

• worm gear felt seal
• worm gear seal 364470R91, 359449R91
• worm gear gasket cover
• worm gear bearing

Top:

• upper bushing 45172DR
• oil seal ?

Bottom:

• does the M have no felt washer retainer?
• felt seal 49663D
• thrust bearing ?
• lower bushing 49661DAR