trouble steering 350 straight

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scremineagle
430 crawler
430 crawler
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Location: nw mn

trouble steering 350 straight

Post by scremineagle » Tue Dec 01, 2020 12:41 pm

Hello been 2yrs since last visit. I have a 1966 350 straight & am having trouble with steering. Up in northern mn anyone know if this would be something a garage mechanic could tackle. I do have the service manual. Thanks

dtoots1
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Re: trouble steering 350 straight

Post by dtoots1 » Tue Dec 01, 2020 4:40 pm

screamineagle,
gonna need a bit more info...
please explain just what you are doing with machine..
are you attempting to make turns?
do you have manual explaining how to adjust steering brakes etc?

that would be my thoughts from your post, tho not necessarily the problem

basically need more info

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gregjo1948
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Re: trouble steering 350 straight

Post by gregjo1948 » Wed Dec 02, 2020 3:15 am

With info from the manual and the guys on this forum, I'd say yes. Most anyone with a decent set of tools and common sense, can probably handle the job.
JD 350B diesel 6way blade, Case 580B Loader/backhoe, Farmall 504 high crop w/ flail boom mower, International 404 , International 284 diesel w/belly mower, 1972 Ford F600 dump truck, Galion 3-5 roller, Allis Chalmers D17, 1620 Ford

scremineagle
430 crawler
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Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2011 1:58 pm
Location: nw mn

Re: trouble steering 350 straight

Post by scremineagle » Sat Dec 05, 2020 6:14 am

the long & short of my problem is when in gear & moving i can pull back & both tracks stop instantly like they should. But when pulling on either one by itself i now can barely turn requires a few reverse trips to get turned either way. but occasionaly seems to grab.Is this possibly just handle adjustment or how far do i dig. Just an owner that logs with it not to familiar with how it all works so any ideas appreciated. Or maybe a mechanic out there not to far away from northern mn. The J D shops dont seem to wanna work on this old but very usefull equipment.

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LeonardL
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Re: trouble steering 350 straight

Post by LeonardL » Sat Dec 05, 2020 1:45 pm

Okay... not sure I'm following exactly what you're saying. You said you pulled both levers and the machine stoped. Indicating that both steering clutches are releaseing and the brakes apply.

So a question or two... With both levers pulled back, what happens when you only let one lever go back forward? Do this individually one side and then the other. Do the clutches seem to be working on both sides? Both left and right?
40 plus years working on JD 350s, 400Gs, 450s and other equipment both Ag and Construction.

scremineagle
430 crawler
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Re: trouble steering 350 straight

Post by scremineagle » Sat Dec 05, 2020 4:23 pm

will fire up and see tomorrow but if I remember when I release one side both tracks start to turn the released one a little more than the other but takes forever to turn But seems like if i pull one side with all I can get then will turn on a dime now and then

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LeonardL
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Re: trouble steering 350 straight

Post by LeonardL » Sat Dec 05, 2020 4:40 pm

As long as both sides are pulling. That will tell you that both steering clutches are engaging. This sounds like an adjustment issue to me. That or something is on your brake bands. Oil or moisture. Try adjusting them first and see what you have.
40 plus years working on JD 350s, 400Gs, 450s and other equipment both Ag and Construction.

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gregjo1948
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Re: trouble steering 350 straight

Post by gregjo1948 » Sun Dec 06, 2020 3:14 am

Sounds to me that the clutches are releasing but the brakes are not holding. Might be adjustment, worn out brake bands(lining gone), or the brake bands are glazed over and not gripping. I agree with Leonardl, try adjusting.
JD 350B diesel 6way blade, Case 580B Loader/backhoe, Farmall 504 high crop w/ flail boom mower, International 404 , International 284 diesel w/belly mower, 1972 Ford F600 dump truck, Galion 3-5 roller, Allis Chalmers D17, 1620 Ford

scremineagle
430 crawler
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Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2011 1:58 pm
Location: nw mn

Re: trouble steering 350 straight

Post by scremineagle » Sun Dec 06, 2020 6:23 am

ok will study up on brake adjustment & start there thanks

scremineagle
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Re: trouble steering 350 straight

Post by scremineagle » Sat Dec 19, 2020 5:55 am

Thanks for info adjusted brakes and now steers like a dream

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gregjo1948
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Re: trouble steering 350 straight

Post by gregjo1948 » Sun Dec 20, 2020 3:14 am

I like a success story. My 350B has been down since summer. Only driving with the left track and would really like to have used it a couple days ago when we got 41" of snow. Buried both my plow trucks and had to use a little 1620 4x4 Ford with a front bucket loader to clear my 1/2 mile driveway.
JD 350B diesel 6way blade, Case 580B Loader/backhoe, Farmall 504 high crop w/ flail boom mower, International 404 , International 284 diesel w/belly mower, 1972 Ford F600 dump truck, Galion 3-5 roller, Allis Chalmers D17, 1620 Ford

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