hello all....seem to have about 8"-10" of play in my power steering which seems to be all in the steering box in my 2002 3206. Searched internet but do not see anyone with such a problem or a solution. Seems a new steering box is about $600...yikes!. Nothing in maintenance manual either. Any clues out there??? Thanks, Lee
cub cadet 3206 power steering problem
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Soundguy
Old Timer
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- Mar 11, 2002
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- 51,575
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- Central florida
- Tractor
- RK 55HC,ym1700, NH7610S, Ford 8N, 2N, NAA, 660, 850 x2, 541, 950, 941D, 951, 2000, 3000, 4000, 4600, 5000, 740, IH 'C' 'H', CUB, John Deere 'B', allis 'G', case VAC
Does that system use an orbit valve with no mechanical linkage from the box.. or does the box have a sector gear, steering arm and a draglink that manually actuates a valve on a steering cyl.
If the latter, sector backlash and thrust bearing tolerances may be opening up in the box, and the rod ends in the draglinks may be loose.. all that adds up to alot of rotational play in the wheel with no wheel action.
Alternately, play inthe spindle bushings, and pittman arms and steeirng draglink ends will do the same. Worn linkage at a steering cyl control valve will amplify all of these.
post back with more details.. I'm not familiar with cub cadet models and options.
If it is an orbit valve.. I'd guess many of the passages may be plugged.. perhaps a hose or filter came apart internally.. that happend to me once on a piece of heavy equipment. took hours to use a piece of fine wire to clean all the hose fibers out of the plugged orbit valve..
soundguy
If the latter, sector backlash and thrust bearing tolerances may be opening up in the box, and the rod ends in the draglinks may be loose.. all that adds up to alot of rotational play in the wheel with no wheel action.
Alternately, play inthe spindle bushings, and pittman arms and steeirng draglink ends will do the same. Worn linkage at a steering cyl control valve will amplify all of these.
post back with more details.. I'm not familiar with cub cadet models and options.
If it is an orbit valve.. I'd guess many of the passages may be plugged.. perhaps a hose or filter came apart internally.. that happend to me once on a piece of heavy equipment. took hours to use a piece of fine wire to clean all the hose fibers out of the plugged orbit valve..
soundguy
wow..that is totally over my head. The best I could do is take a picture perhaps. It looks like a 4" x 4" (or so) black box that the steering column comes down into, and if I recall right, there are no mechanical linkages coming off the black box. There are hydraulic hoses that go to pistons/pumps(?) on the left and right side of the tractor just behind the front wheels (mounted on the frame). These have rods that push in/out and turn the wheels. the whole thing looks hydraulic controlled. Would pictures help??? Thanks for your help!
Lee
Lee
Just called another repair shop. They call this the "steering pump" and that is where all the slop is. A new one is $522!!!!. The tractor is only 5 years old and I use it only in the summer. Disappointed at this point in cub cadet since i paid $6,000 for this thing.
well...i think i found the problem. It was not the steering box (pump). I have been analyzing the steering with engine off...duh...i read no where that engine had to be on (power steering...sorry i'm no a mechanic). It seems to be a worn steering arm instead. My son happen to review when i was on it with it running. Thanks for tryng to help though...Lee
Soundguy
Old Timer
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2002
- Messages
- 51,575
- Location
- Central florida
- Tractor
- RK 55HC,ym1700, NH7610S, Ford 8N, 2N, NAA, 660, 850 x2, 541, 950, 941D, 951, 2000, 3000, 4000, 4600, 5000, 740, IH 'C' 'H', CUB, John Deere 'B', allis 'G', case VAC
Uh.. well yeah... power steering needs fluid pressure.. if the engine ain't turning.. the pump ain't pumping..
Soundguy
Soundguy
I have the same problem so if you find out anything please let me know
My mid 90s 2182 was doing the same thing, got worse after a service and fresh hydraulic fluid. Half the time turning the wheel brought no reaction, so I replaced the cylinder and all was fixed. So I second the cylinder as the primary point of failure...