Tractor Repair: steering problem on Ford 3000 tractor, ford 3000 tractor, steering gearbox

Question
I have a Ford 3000 tractor with manual steering.  It has developed a problem where the steering wheel can be rotated nearly a half turn in either direction before it starts to turn the wheels.  During this free rotational movement the steering wheel rises or lowers on the column like it is climbing up and down a gear or something.  This problem occurred right after I had it worked on for a stopped up gas tank and the mechanic said he tried to pull the steering wheel off and couldn't get it loose.  Could he have caused this problem?  Is something loose in the steering gear box?

Answer
Hello,

  There is probably a bad bearing on the steering shaft that is allowing it to have too much end play and results in the steering wheel going up and down.  This usually happens gradually from wear over many years, but if it happened suddenly from trying to remove the steering wheel, then the bearing possibly fell apart if the steering shaft was hammered on during the removal procedure.  The steering gearbox will have to be disassembled and the bearings replaced, and then everything shimmed to the proper clearances.

                         Arnie