BX2350: Steering cylinder bad or something else?

[fish6942]

I was doing some yard work yesterday and noticed that when the tires are pointing straight and I slowly turn the steering wheel the tires will not respond. If I turn sharply then they react normally. If the tires are already turned, then they appear to respond to the steering wheel correctly even if it is turned slowly.

After some searching, I found a number of threads describing this problem on the BX22xx series machines. In nearly every case the symptoms were attributed to a leaking center o-ring in the steering cylinder. Can I assume I have the same failure on this series machine? It has about 700 hours on it if I recall.

If this is the concensus, am I better of just buying a new cylinder or trying to install a seal kit? Is there anything else I should replace while I'm in there?

Oh, I did check the transaxle fluid level and it's fine.

Edit: Is this something I can put off until I have time this winter or am I at risk of suddenly losing steering altogether?

 

[fish6942]

Ummm... Anyone??

 

[rbarker]

Ummm... Anyone??

Sorry, I'd like to provide a useful answer but I don't have any experience with this. I would suspect that the setup is similar on the 2350 but they could have made some modifications to address what I believe was a warrantee item on the 2200. Your symptoms sound like what people described when those old threads were created but I honestly don't remember whether it was a simple or difficult fix. Loss of steering control is a bad thing though so I would probably fix it sooner than later. ;-)

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[milkman]

That sure sounds like the seals are leaking in the steering cylinder. I had my BX 2200 that was unresponsive at times and replacing the seals and O rings in the cylinder fixed it. My brothers BX did the same and he continued using it till he could find time to repair it. As long as you're aware of the way it acts and are not running 65 mph down the street in heavy traffic, you can still use it with care till you find time to fix, by that I mean you won't damage anything by continuing to run it.

 

[fish6942]

Thanks guys. Interesting thing is that I can't find anyone with this issue on the 50 series machines.

Any suggestions for where to find an online parts explosion for this machine?

 

[radioman]

yup - go here Kubota Tractor Corporation - Parts List

 

[SPYDERLK]

The oring is the only thing that goes bad. Im not sure Kubota sells it separately for a buck, rather as part of a $30 seal kit. Iv replaced my oring 3 times now. Not so difficult the 2nd time. I posted the size on TBN somewhere a few years back.
larry

 

[am122]

On my BX2350 I could drive straight down the road and take the steering wheel around and around and still go straight down the road. I replaced the cylinder but I also bought the seal kit to rebuild the old for the next time. Mine also happened at about 700 hours.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Heres the thread with the oring size.

BX 2200 Steering Piston Help

 

[fish6942]

Radioman - Thanks for the link!

am122 - Sorry to hear you've had the same issue but the positive thing is that misery likes company and I'm glad to know it's not just my 50 series doing this.

Spyderlk - Thanks for the link!


Now I need to price out the cylinder cost and determine whether to replace the whole thing or attempt to rebuild.