WD45 Pedestal Steering, backlash

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   How much backlash between the worm gear and the pedestal gear is acceptable on a WD45 NF tricycle setup?I own a 1952 WD45 parts tractor; at least it should have remained a parts tractor. Consumed by stubborn determination to make it run again, the recently very expensive rebuilt, by me, motor is about to go back in. Before said event, I thought it wise to check the steering. Having read the manual, repacked the wheel bearings, and checked the lock bolts at the top and bottom of the steering shaft, I am left with play caused by the backlash between the steering shaft worm gear and the pedestal gear. I know there are sim/s between the steering shaft gland and the steering box. Removing the sim simply tightens the shaft bearings and does not remove the backlash. There is no play in the pedestal. The worm gear has a shiny patch but no wear step. So should there be backlash, and if so, how much?
Thank you in advance for your time.
If I posted in the wrong section, sorry.

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Red64 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 5 hours 2 minutes ago Location: Wisconsin Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote Red64 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: WD45 Pedestal Steering, backlash Posted: 4 hours 28 minutes ago at 12:52pm
	How much backlash between the worm gear and the pedestal gear is acceptable on a WD45 NF tricycle setup? I own a 1952 WD45 parts tractor; at least it should have remained a parts tractor. Consumed by stubborn determination to make it run again, the recently very expensive rebuilt, by me, motor is about to go back in. Before said event, I thought it wise to check the steering. Having read the manual, repacked the wheel bearings, and checked the lock bolts at the top and bottom of the steering shaft, I am left with play caused by the backlash between the steering shaft worm gear and the pedestal gear. I know there are sim/s between the steering shaft gland and the steering box. Removing the sim simply tightens the shaft bearings and does not remove the backlash. There is no play in the pedestal. The worm gear has a shiny patch but no wear step. So should there be backlash, and if so, how much? Thank you in advance for your time. If I posted in the wrong section, sorry.

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Sids Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 16 Feb 2025 Location: belleville, ks Points: 17	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sids Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 1 hour 4 minutes ago at 4:16pm
	I have taken the bearing cap and turned it down 20 or 25 thou. File out the two mounting holes so you can move the worm gear a little closer to the sector gear. Of course the gears wear a little in the straight forward position. But if you play with it a little you can tighten it up. At one time some company made a new bearing cap that was slightly eccentric with several bolt holes. You could rotate it a little to different holes, but this works. Good luck.