Power steering hose leaking...

[kw22614]

Just found a leak last night from the left front almost over the axle on my BX1860. Just moved about 24 yards of wood chips and have about 24 more yards to go. I only have 105 hrs, seems a little early for a hose to go. I ordered both hoses that are routed from the steering wheel to the front steering cylinder(not sure which one is leaking) so many wire ties and tube covers where it travels down the left side frame rail I won't know till I get them off. Hopefully they'll arrive Sat at my dealer before they close. Leak seems to be where the hoses bend behind a steel girder and 2 bolts - not the best design. Got the hood and front body cover off to easily access it. Will post pics when I get to it on Sat/Sun, seems to be an easy enough project. When I install the new hoses do I teflon tape or 'dope' the threads??

 

[newbury]

Just found a leak last night from the left front almost over the axle on my BX1860. Just moved about 24 yards of wood chips and have about 24 more yards to go. I only have 105 hrs, seems a little early for a hose to go.

How old's the tractor?

When I install the new hoses do I teflon tape or 'dope' the threads??

General thoughts on the forum discourage teflon tape, due to small pieces getting ingested in the lines. I've been doing the hydraulic line replacement on my M4700 with neither, and there has been no sign of "dope" on the pieces I've taken apart.

 

[BeezFun]

I have hoses made at a local hydraulic place rather than ordering replacement parts. That allows me to run a piece of garden hose to find the best routing and length to avoid problems like you describe with the girder and bolts.

 

[kw22614]

Bought it new with 1.5 hrs on it in mid Nov 2012, newbury. She lives inside garage on a rug even. Thanks - no tape or dope.
That's a good idea BeezFun - maybe next time. Though I do plan to hopefully slip on a piece of hose or something over the stock replacement lines where they jog around that girder and the bolts to keep rubbing down to a minimum.

 

[CalG]

If they don't leak, How do you know there is fluid in them?

;-)

 

[kw22614]

Well Saturday's almost gone and only one hose came in - the other's on backorder. Dealer said hopefully Mon or Tues. Rained today with cooler temps and low humidity, would've been perfect for working in the garage. Instead wifey had me on flower planting duty :muttering:

 

[kw22614]

Got the hoses this morning and a couple qts of SUDT2 to top it off. Hope to get to it and 100hr service maybe Fri...

 

[kw22614]

Sorry for the long delay - had a sick friend staying with us who got a lot worse before he got better. Anyway, I replaced the 2 front power steering hoses from the steering wheel to the steering cylinder. It took longer than I anticipated (about 3 hours) as I added sections of garden hose over the hard bends and where it rubbed on things, and mucho many zip ties. I had to route them back the same way as they were stock hoses. Next time I'll get the hoses made to be routed more appropriately not necessarily shorter. I took off the steel hood and support and the plastic motor surround. It was pretty exposed that way and easy enough to get to with the loader up as high as it would go - I only bumped my head about 100 times, next time the loader comes off too. The steering wheel and plastic dash also had to come off/lifted out of the way to access those fittings. I found a large hole in the right side hose from where it rubbed on a steel frame crossbrace it was bent around. You'd think the factory would do a better job positioning the hoses. Since it was all open and accessable I went ahead and replaced both hoses anyway - now I have a used spare. I wish I had taken better pics to show more detail but it is what it is. Hope this helps if anyone else accepts this mission.