I think you will find the following thread from this site is the solution to your problem......it's a fairly common problem with the BX. My brother is a Kubota mechanic and he had a machine in the other day with the same symptoms and I refered him to this thread and it fixed the problem for him. At least as far as where he works they don't have any record of the Kubota service Bulletin being received at their shop, but none the less the solution in this thread is correct in the majority of cases. For the record my brothers shop replaced the steering control valve and it did not fix the problem. They had to order a cylinder to fix the problem.
Greg Williams.
BX2200 Steering problem
#259590 - 04/25/03 06:34 AM Edit Reply Quote
I've got a 1 year old BX2200 with 100+ hours on it. Yesterday while doing some yard cleanup, I noticed a steering problem:
While turning the steering wheel "gently", the tires would not move (left or right). So I'd be doing gentle turns, and continuing straight ahead. There was no undue force on the steering wheel, it moved freely and easily.
I could correct by moving the steering wheel more abruptly left or right---then the steering would kick in.
I have the repair manual, and the only thing I can come up with is low hydro fluid or air in the lines. I changed the hydro fluid at 50 hrs (Super-UDT), and the level seems to check fine (at least the to the best of my abilities, given that lousy dipstick). I suppose that there could be air in the system too; but I've put the steering far right or far left (so that the release valve runs for a couple seconds), and that hasn't helped. I don't know if there's any bleeding procedure to follow (the manual does say to 'bleed', but doesn't refer to a page number to discuss how). All the other hydraulic systems (transmission, 3-point) seem to be working fine (I didn't hook up the FEL to check it).
I'll call the dealer this morning, but I was wondering if anyone here had any ideas on what might be going on. Thanks!
Jim
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TN_HILLS
New Member
Reged: 04/16/03
Posts: 8
Loc: Lewisburg, Tn.
Re: BX2200 Steering problem [Re: kofronj]
#259617 - 04/25/03 07:33 AM Edit Reply Quote
Sounds like a steering valve problem to me. If the valve is sticking and not opening you get no flow to the hydraulic steering cylinder, thus no turning. Just a thought. Let us know what your dealer says.
Good luck,
Clay
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pcmem
Gold Member
Reged: 08/28/01
Posts: 220
Loc: N WI
Re: BX2200 Steering problem [Re: kofronj]
#259636 - 04/25/03 08:08 AM Edit Reply Quote
Jim,
I expect you've got a case of the BX steering cylinder blues
I had the same problem last fall. My dealer said Kubota got a batch of bad steering cylinders from a supplier. Apparently the supplier left the machined cylinders sit outside prior to assembly where they got wet and slightly rusted inside. Just enough to cause the rod seals to wear and start leaking. Giving the wheel a good turn flows enough fluid to overcome and turn the wheels. It starts out slowly and just gets worse. They replaced the front cylinder on mine and so far so good
Your dealer should be able to take care of you,
Michael
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pro_tel
Member
Reged: 08/08/01
Posts: 18
Loc: Central PA
Re: BX2200 Steering problem [Re: kofronj]
#259643 - 04/25/03 08:22 AM Edit Reply Quote
Yes there is a factory recall to replace the cylinder. Interesting that my BX2200 went in for the same problem just yesterday @ 142 hrs. Your dealer should know about the problem.
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DaveNH
Platinum Member
Reged: 11/28/00
Posts: 362
Loc: Fremont, New Hampshire
Re: BX2200 Steering problem [Re: pro_tel]
#259655 - 04/25/03 08:39 AM Edit Reply Quote
Any one have a Service Bulletin Number on this problem?
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kofronj
Bronze Member
Reged: 03/21/02
Posts: 56
Loc: SE Wisconsin
Re: BX2200 Steering problem [Re: kofronj]
#259662 - 04/25/03 08:53 AM Edit Reply Quote
Ahhh, I just love this place...
Talked to one of the mechanics this morning. He indicated the same thing (after checking to make sure that I didn't have the hydraulic lift pegged to the up position), and we'll try to get it scheduled.
I looked at the manual for doing this myself, and I think I'll defer...
Thanks again, everyone!
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kofronj
Bronze Member
Reged: 03/21/02
Posts: 56
Loc: SE Wisconsin
Re: BX2200 Steering problem [Re: kofronj]
#259809 - 04/25/03 02:29 PM Edit Reply Quote
Update: After talking with the owner and a mechanic, they think I'm more than qualified to do the work (hahaha...). Knowing how busy this time of year is for them, and the fact that it's nearly an hour in transport time (one-way---and they'll have to do it), I'm more than willing to give it a shot.
I'll let you know how it turns out, in the end. But for now, I won't be doing any loader work close to any buildings!
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rmc
Bronze Member
Reged: 12/02/01
Posts: 86
Loc: South Jersey
Re: BX2200 Steering problem [Re: pcmem]
#259932 - 04/25/03 08:06 PM Edit Reply Quote
pcmem
Did your Dealer tell you what series of serial numbers the bad steering cylinder where installed on?
If not a problem when did you purchase and what serial number is yours.
Thanks
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pro_tel
Member
Reged: 08/08/01
Posts: 18
Loc: Central PA
Re: BX2200 Steering problem [Re: DaveNH]
#260111 - 04/26/03 09:12 AM Edit Reply Quote
The service bulletin # is PSB-2001-048 DATED 10/15/2001. I totally agree that this place has the greatest people in the world. I received my information from CARVER EQP some time back and feel delighted that I can help others.
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DaveNH
Platinum Member
Reged: 11/28/00
Posts: 362
Loc: Fremont, New Hampshire
Re: BX2200 Steering problem [Re: pro_tel]
#260123 - 04/26/03 09:45 AM Edit Reply Quote
Pro_tel
Thanks!
My BX is starting to show the signs and since it's going in for "24 Month Survey Complaints" it's one more problem for the dealer to fix.
My dealer isn't the best and I always get the proverbal run-around.
Having the SB#, puts the ball in my court.
Post Extras:
pcmem
Gold Member
Reged: 08/28/01
Posts: 220
Loc: N WI
Re: BX2200 Steering problem [Re: rmc]
#260758 - 04/28/03 11:47 AM Edit Reply Quote
rmc,
No they didn't. When I asked they said they (dealer) didn't know and that it was showing up in roughly half of the units they sold. They kept a kit on hand and fixed them as they showed up. Not sure what my sn is but it was bought fall 2001 if that helps.
If it is working fine I wouldn't worry about it,
Michael
Post Extras:
pcmem
Gold Member
Reged: 08/28/01
Posts: 220
Loc: N WI
Re: BX2200 Steering problem [Re: kofronj]
#260760 - 04/28/03 11:51 AM Edit Reply Quote
kofronj,
It isn't that difficult to replace. The hardest part is swapping the tie rod ends (because they like to be difficult ). You'll need some Kubota Super UDT or whatever you're running in the hydro to replace what spills out and fill the cylinder.
Good luck,
Michael
Post Extras:
kofronj
Bronze Member
Reged: 03/21/02
Posts: 56
Loc: SE Wisconsin
Re: BX2200 Steering problem [Re: kofronj]
#263170 - 05/05/03 10:13 AM Edit Reply Quote
A happy ending for my tractor.
The parts came last Tuesday (FedEx), but I didn't have time to work on it until Friday evening/Saturday. I decided to follow the workshop manual instructions. Got the left hydraulic line off fine, couldn't get a wrench on the right side. So I removed the tie-rod nuts off, and (as predicted by pcmem), the right side came off fine, and the left wouldn't budge. Block of wood and a hammer---no luck. Finally gave it a rap or two with the hammer directly (after lots of wrestling and tugging), and it popped right out. Once I removed the brackets holding the cylinder to the frame, I could get the second hydraulic line off.
The tie rods were easily removed from the cylinder with large wrenches. Snap rings were removed too. I removed the hydraulic fittings from the old cylinder, and cleaned them (they had teflon tape on them) and put them on the new cylinder. Replaced snap rings, put tie rods back on, and hooked up lines quickly. Ran engine to check for leaks (none! ). Put everything back in place.
Steering is great again. It was probably about 2 - 2 1/2 hour job for me. I've had very limited experience working on tractors and cars, so this was a relatively good experience!
Thanks for the advice and tips, everyone!!!
Jim
