Steering column hydraulic leak

[chiefcook]

I have a LS XG3025. There is a hydraulic leak coming out of the top of the tube that the steering column goes into. I have the service and parts manual, but neither of them shows detailed info on how the steering control unit is sealed.
Does anyone have any info on this? I'd like to know what I was getting into before I take it apart. The tractor is out of warranty and I'd rather not take it to a dealer.

 

[Avenger]

How bad is the leak?
Can you post of few pictures of the area and the leak?

Is it coming from the steering valve? The block with 4 lines coming from it on the engine side?

If the leak is coming from the steering valve, follow the service manual to remove it from the tractor. Contact your dealer for a steering valve seal kit or something like that. Or take the valve to your dealer for a rebuild. I know you don't want to include your dealer, but valve bodies are tricky and need to be kept completely clean. If you do the removal and reinstall yourself, it will save you a ton of money and time. Should only be an hour or two of shop time to reseal the valve. Thats all assuming your leak is coming from the valve body.

 

[chiefcook]

I'll try to get some photos if the rain isn't too bad.
I wish someone had a parts diagram of the steering valve.

 

[Jrasband]

Make sure you confirm it is not one of the hoses leaking before removing valve body.

 

[Tinhack]

Good luck! Many of those steering column units are not repairable. When they leak, you have to replace the whole unit and typically in the $1500 range.

 

[TractorTech]

If you find the maker of the steering motor, chances are, you can get the seal and wiper fir the top of the motor, but not from LS.

I had a NH TC21 with a column leak. Don't remember the motor make, maybe Kiki, but used seal and wiper from Eaton motor on 80s Deere or Ford.

Please post pictures when you get it out.

 

[chiefcook]

I need to spend a little time diagnosing this. The tube is leaking in the area where 2 is in the parts diagram but is dry above there.

 

[chiefcook]

Thanks for the replies. I will let you know when I figure it out.

 

[TractorTech]

The steering tube should have a drain hole in the bottom, so you won't see much higher up.

 

[chiefcook]

Update. The leak has stopped. The only thing I can think of is.that it was water. We had about 9" of rain the week before and water must have entered the steering tube.
I had decided to let it leak as there wasn't much coming out anyway.