ross steering column loose at the gearbox?

[v30crewcab]

so I got a 89 cub cadet 1050, with loose steering. the metal column is loose where it goes into the aluminum gearbox. is that normal? it actually wiggles back and forth there when you turn the wheel. wondering if I should epoxy it together, as I have it apart to clean it all out and readjust it right now. didn't know how they were put together from the factory, but never seen one loose like that.
__________________

[Jlaws]

Mike ,
The tube being loose in the steering gearbox isn't normal , but its not an unusual problem . I've seen it several times myself .
The tube and gearbox when originally made was a press tight fit .
Most people simply clean the tube and gearbox and use epoxy or JB weld to repair .

[v30crewcab]

thanks I epoxied it and put it all back together. works alot better now.

[ksanders]

I usually bend the edges of the pipe out a bit and drive it back in. Then if it ever has to come apart I'm not fighting epoxy.

[Jlaws]

Kevin , I don't understand ??
Those two parts aren't supposed to ever come apart .

I have changed rusted out steering tubes before using exhaust pipe .
The fit was so tight that I had to put the tube in the freezer and the gearbox in a oven , and then quickly drive the tube into the gearbox with a hammer and a block of wood before the temperatures neutralized.
But I never intended to ever take them apart again .

[Farmallgray]

I use red (high strength) thread locker on them.

[ksanders]

Jess, I've only ever had to take one back out before and that was due to a broken gearbox housing that I swapped all the parts (including the tube) over. You're right though, the odds of ever needing to get it back out is slim to none.