Floppy tilt steering wheel

[KrisHansen]

I know that I am not the first to have the little cylinder on my tilt fail. I have read several of the threads on fixing this problem. The local dealer wants $100 for an new cylinder. I will not pay that kind of money for something that is a bad design and will eventually fail again. Bottom line is that this is piss-poor design for such an expensive machine! The tilt feature is used very often on this machine so it is important to keep it functional. Has anyone designed a mechanical replacement for the hyd cylinder? or, am I headed down a new path?

What's the symptom? I found that on mine, water can pool in the area around where the handle presses the valve, and it sticks open. I soaked mine with penetrant, and it works fine now. I did have to use my air hammer to free the valve up. after it was working properly, I slathered it with some silicone grease to keep the water out.

 

[AndyG]

The symptom was that when I pulled the handle oil squirted out on my leg and the tilt wheel became floppy. I could not get the wheel to lock in place in any position. The shock was shot! This tractor doesn't spend many nights outside and showed no signs of trouble before the shock failed.

 

[KrisHansen]

The symptom was that when I pulled the handle oil squirted out on my leg and the tilt wheel became floppy. I could not get the wheel to lock in place in any position. The shock was shot! This tractor doesn't spend many nights outside and showed no signs of trouble before the shock failed.

Oh, well, mine hasn't let the oil out yet

 

[257NH]

Same thing happened to mine.It was about a year old and always garaged.From what I understand the replacement one has a flap of some sort to protect it from water.I agree with you though,poor part quality.

 

[dqdave1]

The part is fine; the design that allows water to get to it is faulty. I believe CNH is putting a cover ( plastic slip cover) over the cylinder now. Just lube it up good; annd check it often ( each oil change) and it should be ok.

 

[PineRidge]

Well after 8 years the cylinder that positions/holds the steering wheel on the TC-40D finally gave out. I've read a lot of threads on this subject and quite frankly don't know what all the fuss is about. It took longer to go get the assist-shock than it did to replace it. And the cylinder only cost a little over $100.

Dropping the lower cowling, I sprayed the complete assembly with PB-Blaster. One side of the drive pin that holds the lower part of the cylinder had a bevel indicating that was the side they wanted you to strike. I put a socket over the other side of the pin w/a long handled extension and handle so my son could be a back-up. I struck the pin 3 times with a claw hammer sending it flush. I then used a flat nose punch on the face of the pin and 6 swings later the pin was out far enough to pull the bottom 2 spacers and the bottom of the assist cylinder off. The top two socket head cap screws were even easier. releasing the complete assembly in my hands. The top with the release knob/handle screws off and you simply thread it onto the new cylinder. Reverse the whole process to put it back together. You can be drinking a cold one in 30 minutes if you know what to do and not do. If it takes you longer than that you work for New Holland! :laughing:

What's next guys? :thumbsup: Be good!

 

[jinman]

Mike, I had Ron Hall helping me when I replaced mine, but it seems we took about the same amount of time as you. The shock costs less than two main hydraulic filters.

 

[tobitobi]

Mine failed right after warranty. Used a tennis ball, wrapped with duct tape to stop from coming out (stuff in, then turn sideways). Can raise the steering wheel out of the way and it lowers to where I like it. Been like that for about 8 years. Little time, no cost, and no future failures anticipated.

 

[bricole@ix.net.au]

tobitobi,
My' TC33D has just drooped its' steering column after 9 years and I am very interested in your' tennis ball solution. Any chance of a picture or clearer description of how to do this ? PS ; my' dogs' name is tobitobi !

 

[jinman]

tobitobi,
My' TC33D has just drooped its' steering column after 9 years and I am very interested in your' tennis ball solution. Any chance of a picture or clearer description of how to do this ? PS ; my' dogs' name is tobitobi !

This advice comes from a guy who temporarily wedged a piece of 2x4 lumber to hold his steering column until he got a replacement shock installed. I say that because it seems like a big job, but it isn't. The shock is about $100 US and it's about a 1-hour job. It helps to have someone who can help you remove the lower swivel pin, but not completely necessary. If you can get the part easily in Australia, then I really suggest doing that rather than wedging in a tennis ball between your steering column and the fiberglass panel. The tennis ball is a temporary fix at best, not a long-term solution.