1983 Ford 1710 Steering Help

ezgoewin · Aug 6, 2011

Hello,
New to the forum and tractors, nice site. I have married into a 1710 that is beat up pretty badly but still runs like a champ so I am trying to keep it working. Three weeks ago I started noticing the steering making a light struggling noise like a car will if the power steering pump is going bad or you turned it too far and held it. It catches and stops off and on and is now getting worse. I don't have much understanding of the steering/hydraulic system and I have no owners manual but I assume all of the hydraulics run off the main pump in the front of motor. I changed the hydraulic oil (little water) and filter and it worked great for about twenty minutes then started making the noise and catching again and is getting to where it is almost manual steering. There are no other hydraulic issues to the best of my knowledge. It is two wheel drive by the way. I am not going to fake having any knowledge of how to fix it just ask for HELP!! Anyone with advice or knowledge please reply.
thanks

JFS2295 · Aug 6, 2011

Was the fluid white or milky?

If so, the symptoms are sort of the characteristic if the filter is getting plugged. When you changed the hydraulic fluid, which is also the power train lubrication, did you drain from all 3 (4 if 4WD) plugs? If not you still may have water contaminated fluid that is plugging the new filter.

Wolfy · Aug 6, 2011

Are you sure it even has power steering? Some 1710's, like mine, do not. It can be a bear to steer, especially with a full bucket at idle speed.

ezgoewin · Aug 6, 2011

Yes it is power steering, it worked fine three weeks ago. I drained from all plugs, ran it for a week and drained it all again to be sure. It was white and milky but not anymore.

Wolfy · Aug 6, 2011

Im not sure if the power steering runs off the main hydraulic pump, or if it has its own pump. My owner's manual is very unclear about the whole thing. There isnt one picture in the book. Is there a seperate dipstick for the steering, or just the main dipstick under the seat?

ezgoewin · Aug 7, 2011

Main dipstick under the seat. There looks to be a slave pump under the hydraulic pump in diagrams but I haven't found it yet.

Hooked_on_HP · Aug 7, 2011

I looked on Messicks and the parts diagram shows a control valve for the power steering. You do not have a power steering pump. This valve diverts some of the flow from the hyd. pump to the power steering gear box. If this valve is sticking you wont get the pressure to the gear box you need. Follow the hyd line from the pump untill you find a valve that tees off and goes to the steering gear box. This will be your control valve.
Bill