TC55DA/DX55

[jduke]

I cross posted this because its the same tractor, and I need help ASAP.


I was out using my tractor and while going around a tree, the power steering got noticeably harder. It just kind of quit. Its not out altogether, but its much harder to use. What can the cause be? The fluid level is fine. There are no leaks. The tractor has about 410 hours on it.

 

[DieselMonk]

Dunno... either there is no full pressure (pressure test) or some bypass valve stuck, or maybe the packing inside the steering cylinder... I know the TC55DA has a power steering filter in the resovoir too... maybe that is plugged? I'd do a pressure check first, before I'd attempt anything mayor. This said, by any chance you didn't have a something heavy on the loader while turning wheels? Did you search the New Holland forum for "tc55da power steering" maybe there is something that fits you as this what you explained isn't much to go on...

 

[jinman]

If you have a loader, use it to raise the front end. Run the power steering left/right to see how hard it is to turn and to watch the hyd cylinder to see if the ram looks bent or bowed a small amount. You should be able to turn off the engine and rotate your steering wheel to turn the front wheels fairly easily also. If you can't turn the wheels with the engine off, something is binding. Under heavy load, the steering can stall, but it should correct itself and go away unless something is binding.

 

[jduke]

If you have a loader, use it to raise the front end. Run the power steering left/right to see how hard it is to turn and to watch the hyd cylinder to see if the ram looks bent or bowed a small amount. You should be able to turn off the engine and rotate your steering wheel to turn the front wheels fairly easily also. If you can't turn the wheels with the engine off, something is binding. Under heavy load, the steering can stall, but it should correct itself and go away unless something is binding.

It feels the same when the wheels are off the ground. I checked this earlier. How do you pressure check this? Sounds like something the dealer will have to diagnose. It's not terrible and if I didn't know how it was earlier I wouldn't know. It's definately messed up.

 

[jinman]

I think the maximum pressure for this system is around 1500 psi, but that's only with maximum effort. SuperSteer front ends have slightly higher pressure because they use two cylinders and have to swing the entire front axle under load. I think your dealer is likely to have a hose and pressure test setup in his shop. You can probably get him to test the pressure and let you know what it shows for far less than you could build a test kit for yourself.

 

[jduke]

I have 400 hours. It's really not possible my filter could be so dirty all of a sudden. I was just turning around. No holes. Nothing Wierd. It just got stiff. I can use it as is for now but it's concerning.

 

[jinman]

Does your TC55DA have a separate PS reservoir or does it draw from the main sump? You said the fluid level was fine, but didn't mention if it is from the main or a dedicated reservoir. I know on some later tractors, New Holland eliminated the PS reservoir and plumbed into the main supply. If you have time, you might rotate your steering wheel so that the PS cylinder is fully extended. Look at the ram and even lay a straight-edge up next to it to make sure it is not bent or binding. From your description, it's nothing you did and there was no damage, but it doesn't hurt to check. Otherwise, a pressure check is probably what you'll have to do. You could also disconnect the steering cylinder and let it operate with no load to see how that performs, but that's a lot of work and may just tell you what you already know.

 

[jduke]

Does your TC55DA have a separate PS reservoir or does it draw from the main sump? You said the fluid level was fine, but didn't mention if it is from the main or a dedicated reservoir. I know on some later tractors, New Holland eliminated the PS reservoir and plumbed into the main supply. If you have time, you might rotate your steering wheel so that the PS cylinder is fully extended. Look at the ram and even lay a straight-edge up next to it to make sure it is not bent or binding. From your description, it's nothing you did and there was no damage, but it doesn't hurt to check. Otherwise, a pressure check is probably what you'll have to do. You could also disconnect the steering cylinder and let it operate with no load to see how that performs, but that's a lot of work and may just tell you what you already know.

It has its own reservoir.

 

[jduke]

It has its own reservoir.

Man, maybe Im full of crap. Maybe its not any different than it was before. Maybe it felt hard and I got it in my head it was messed up. Its definately usable as it is. It seems to be easier to turn when its cold. I dunno. I mean, these things don't just do things like this right? THey either work or they don't? I use my tractor several times a year, and when I do, its continuous 3-4 days of brush cutting with tons of dust and such. I usually have to clean my radiator out a few times or it won't cool properly because of the stuff accumulated on the fins. The dipstick on the reservoir is a bit loose, so maybe its possible the filter is dirty, but im not sure. Guess I could change fluid and filter and see what happens.

 

[pedalstomper78]

When all else fails, change the fluid and filter. haha:thumbsup:

 

[jduke]

im going to do that first. They will probably do that anyway. The rod is not bent. IS it true that there is not really anything that can go bad in that system otherwise and result in a partially working power steering? If the oil filter doesnt fix it, I hate to take it in since it might not be recognized. I noticed it because i use the tractor all the time. The steering works, it just feels a little stiff. They will charge 200 bucks just to haul it there, and ill be pissed if they dont find an issue. :/

Any reason not to just use it like crazy and see what happens over the next hundred hours? If its a problem, should it get worse? Is the steering system completely independant of the rest of the tractor hydraulics?

 

[DieselMonk]

I'd verify that everything is o.k. no leaking anything, oil up to the mark, rod straight, no binding of anything etc. and run it. The steering is independent. It has it's own pump and reservoir and oil.

 

[jduke]

Ive looked it over really well. Nothing is bent, no leaks, no kinked or bent hoses. Everything looks fantastic on the outside. With only 450 hours, I wouldnt expect an internal failure. Ill change the filter, but I dont hold much hope of that solving anything.

 

[jinman]

I cannot imagine that you'll find anything wrong with the filter or fluid either. Do you realize that the whole body of your reservoir unscrews from the base and the whole container is actually also a filter. The cost is pretty steep. I admit that I've never changed mine in the 1700+ hours on my tractor and the fluid still looks fine.

Have you read the posts on TBN about the TC55DA that were common a few years back? A search should turn up several posts about the quirks of the power steering system. Sometimes it will stall under load and be hard until you get going. Other folks have said that after a stall it will be harder to steer for awhile. Your symptoms sound pretty similar. I've noticed my TC45D is sluggish under a heavy load on the FEL before I get moving, but it works fine when I start rolling. Your post made me think it was something more because you problem seemed to persist. Now, with your description, I'm thinking your problem may be similar to the ones reported before.

 

[jduke]

But it does persist. Its still doing it. It hasn't gotten any better. Im wondering if the cylinder or steering gears have lost an internal seal and it blowing past. I know about the steering stalling. Im familiar with that. Mine is stiff even when rolling. In fact, the steering feels exactly the same whether the front wheels are off the ground or whether your driving it. A bit odd. Its probably time to go back to the dealer service. Thought about getting a service manual to keep the stealership out of it, but for what im seeing the service manual go for, i figure ill just let them pick it up and deal with it. Id like to find the steering portion of the service manual and thumb through it.

Wondering if it couldn't be the relief valve in the manifold. Since the steering works, but is just a little stiffer than normal, Its almost like something controlling the pressure just gave out or is no longer in spec. Is the pressure adjustable on it? Could a faulty o-ring in the steering piston on the axle cause this internally?

 

[jinman]

Your steering motor could be out of alignment. The relief pressure could be wrong (too low). The steering cylinder could have an internal leak, and you could have a faulty steering pump that is not producing enough pressure/flow. The problem is that without the proper test gage and equipment, you are just guessing; expensive guessing. I still think your dealer's shop is the best bet, but you may be able to tolerate the problem for awhile until you can get the tractor to the shop.

 

[DieselMonk]

seems like you are back to square one.

 

[jduke]

Yup. But, I think im going to have to use it as is for now. You guys are right. Its expensive guessing. I think the shop is the best place for it unfortunately. I can throw a lot of money at it guessing.