Power Steering Pump Repair Kama 554

[dfkrug]

After the repair, it must have left some remaining debris like part of that grommet in there that the strainer is not catching. So now it is back to the same old thing. Works good when first started and then when it heats up it stops working good. Then on occasion, it feels like a clog passes and starts to work good again, and then not... Larry told me he put a 10 micron filter on his steering system return in addition to the suction strainer, and I may do that too. Might help with this recurring problem I seem to be having.
Any thoughts?

Maybe that flow restrictor plug came loose again. Did you use Locktite?
Or maybe a tiny bit of debris is blocking that hole?

 

[greg_g]

First thought is, that Larry doesn't have a separate steering pump. At least I don't think he does. Anyway, adding a second filter to an independent PS circuit sounds to me like overkill. I mean, consider the numbers of POVs that have no power steering filtration at all.

I have yet to disassemble my steering pump, I'm waiting for the winter slowdown. But I've never experienced this hard steering issue correct itself either. My only remedy to date, has been simply to let it cool down - then go back to work.

My second thought - shudder - is that it might be in the steering controller. But I hate to think of the disassembly required to get that bugger out. I still think I'm going to tear down the pump first, then go from there.

You may have a hose breaking down internally. Debris from the decomposition could be causing intermittent blockage through your steering pump/relief valve.

//greg//

 

[3RRL]

Maybe that flow restrictor plug came loose again. Did you use Locktite?
Or maybe a tiny bit of debris is blocking that hole?

Yeah, that's a possibility ... I didn't use locktite to secure that restrictor.
Shees, I was trying to get out of doing another dis-assembly. Thinking about it though, if I do install the filter, I might as well take it all apart again and clean everything up.
I was hoping to add the filter and shazam ... everything is fixed.

 

[greg_g]

I was hoping to add the filter and shazam ... everything is fixed.

Just outa curiosity, what's wrong with the filter that's already installed? Or am I missing something here?

//greg//

 

[3RRL]

Just outa curiosity, what's wrong with the filter that's already installed? Or am I missing something here?

//greg//

I'm thinking it's a strainer in there and not a 10 micron filter.
I could be mistaken though. What's on your 454?

 

[greg_g]

I'm thinking it's a strainer in there and not a 10 micron filter.
I could be mistaken though. What's on your 454?

There's 80x80 mesh in the main (rear) hydraulic sump strainer, yes. But that's got nothing to do with the steering. I'm talking about inside your power steering reservoir up front Rob. Don't know how many microns, but it's definitely no strainer. Appears to be about the same porosity as both the oil and fuel filter cartridges

//greg//

 

[GuglioLS]

Hi Rob,

Steering problems seem to be popular these days. My power steering was behaving badly too, as if I had zero power steering, you know, power steering by Armstrong? It started several months ago. Turning to the left was a little tough, but to the right, forget it. Mine was not intermittent. I replaced the steering valve (Steering machine as Jinma likes to call it) that made no difference. (BTW replacing the steering valve was easier than removing the pump). I finally replaced the steering pump altogether and that fixed the problem. After taking the old pump apart I discovered there is a pressure relief bypass valve built inside the pump. I suppose I should have tried adjusting it, but too late, I already had the new pump installed and was not about to put the old one back in to experiment with adjusting the relief spring.

My Jinma 354 has it's own separate power steering pump and reservoir, a completely separate circuit from the TPH / FEL / TNT / Grapple etc... Just like yours.

It has about a 2 quart fluid reservoir and no suction strainer. In order to get the darn pump off I had to drain the radiator because the petcock was in the way of removing the pump. After draining the coolant and removing the petcock I was able to get the steering pump off. It was a real PITA. As you mentioned I did install a 10 Micron return filter, all I did was cut the rubber hose between the hard line and the tank and insert the filter between the two. Works like a charm now.

My gut feeling on yours is the "W" o-rings on the ends of the inside of your pump are flat, so your pump is not building up enough pressure. OR like you said there is crud circulating around in there gumming up the works. OR you may need to simply adjust (turn in) the bypass valve to get more pressure.

I could take some pictures of my filter mod if you like. It's just a simple spin on Northern tool or Surplus center 10 micron hydraulic return filter with some brass 5/8" barbed hose X 3/4" male NPT fittings (From Home Depot). I think it was a worth while $16.99 investment to protect a $189 pump, a $ 280 steering valve and a $200 steering cylinder.

Surplus Center Filter

Does your pump have an adjustable internal pressure relief bypass valve like mine does? If so have you tried to adjust it?
When your steering works and you turn the wheel all the way to the stops and beyond, can you keep turning the wheel? How much resistance is there if you can keep turning the wheel? The reason I ask is if there is little resistance when turning the wheel past the stops, the bypass in the pump is set to low. That's how mine works anyway.

Larry

 

[greg_g]

Rob and Larry, this might help. Whereas the three of us have independent steering circuits (thanks for clarifying that on yours Larry), it sounds like there are some profound differences between the KAMA and Jinma designs. First, note the canister filter in the steering sump assembly (28). From my perspective, the fact that it's a paper cartridge classifies it as a filter rather than as a strainer. Note the round disc with the holes in it just above the reservoir. If pressed for a part name, I'd call that a strainer.

Second, there are no rubber lines in which to insert a strainer fixture. The only flex lines are in the cylinder supply/return path (12). There's a rubber coupler (26), but no usable gap between the steel lines underneath. It's strictly an anti-vibration device like the cylinder flex lines . Third, note the steering controller (what Larry calls his steering valve). On mine, removal is effectively blocked by the fuel tank frame. At first glance I can't see how my steering controller could be removed without first taking off the entire dash/instrument panel, the fuel tank cowl, the fuel tank. and the tank frame.

Earlier in this thread, Rob too encountered a pump removal clearance problem, stating that either the alternator or radiator cowl had to be taken off first. Wouldn't have to on mine, but his 554 has one more cylinder than my 454. So I'll concede a possible pump clearance issue. But given the choice, I think I'd rather remove an alternator or radiator cowl, than an entire dash and fuel tank.

So basically what I'm saying, is that the addition of an aftermarket hydraulic strainer on a KAMA seems redundant. Pretty sure KAMA bolted the same steering system on both the 454 and the 554, which means that you should already have both a filter and a (coarse) strainer Rob.

I'm still going with the pumps internal relief valve as being the culprit (on mine at least). But unfortunately I can't afford the tractor downtime this time of the year to validate that assumption. I'm just countering the situation with 50W fluid, until such time as I can get the pump on the bench. Then perhaps I'll be able to assist with the question whether or not the relief valve is adjustable. Alternatively - since my TS354 and KM454 have pretty much the same steering system - I could swap pumps and see if the hard steering issue follows the pump. Either way, it's going to have to wait for either winter - or a steering failure - whichever comes first.

//greg//

 

[GuglioLS]

Real quick - here are a boat load of pictures of my add-on power steering hydraulic fluid return filter. And some of the hydraulic steering pump I had to replace. I will describe in more detail later as the door is about to hit me in the 8$$ on the way to the airport. The Jinma tank is just a tank no filter no strainer, it does have a screen on the fill port for when you pour in brand new fresh fluid








Larry