Ford 4000 issue with steering column.

[exedman]

Hi all...

I worked my "new to me" 1973 Ford 4000 digging semi frozen gravel with my loader and spreading it on my iced over driveway. I did this for an hour.

Bad idea!

I stopped when I noticed a tablespoon of oil running down the steering column.

Does anyone know what is going on?

Thank you so much in advance.

Exedman

 

[Jerry/MT]

I had a similar problem on our Ford 4610. I replaced the power steering filter (located in the pump) and it stopped. I think the filter restriction increased the pressure and a seal started leaking.

 

[exedman]

Hi Jerry...

One fact I omitted because I only thought of it afterwards is that this tractor has been sitting unused for 8 years. It has only 1600 hours. Maybe seals dry?

Thank you for your suggestion.

Exedman

 

[Jerry/MT]

Usually (You can never say "never" with old machinery!) the modern seals don't "dry out" but I suppose that's a possibility. If you have the same power steering pump/reservoir system that's on our 4610, the filter and filter seals cost about $10 and its about a hour job to replace it and it probably needs it anyway.

 

[Birdhunter1]

The filter isn't hard to change at all.

 

[exedman]

Hi all...
Thank you for your input. I intend to change the filter first as suggested.
Yesterday I got desperate and decided to use the Ford 4000 to clean my 2200 foot driveway since we may be getting a bit more snow. I haven't even put on my snow blower this winter! It was around 30 degrees F.
The column didn't leak for a couple of minutes and I starting thinking......whoa...just maybe....
But after a couple of minutes it oozed a dark oil...about a teaspoon...
I ran the tractor for a total of 15-20 minutes and it oozed about a teaspoon.
Thanks again for your suggestions.
Take care,
John

 

[exedman]

Hi again....
What I didn't mention is that the first time it leaked, the fluid was new looking and the second time, it was dark and dirty looking.
Take care,
John

 

[exedman]

Hi all....

Jerry/MT may have it right. Change the filter!!!

I changed the filter today and it appears to have stopped the steering column leakage. The old filter was pretty ugly looking. This 1973 Ford 4000 tractor has only 1600 hours on it. I've run the 4000 for one hour with no leakage!!!! I still can't believe it. I was prepared to pay $600 plus to get the column seals replaced(too complicated for me).

The power steering filter is a pain to change because of the loader frame. I raised the bucket as high as it would go. I discovered that the line fittings are 25/32.... And.....the bolt is tricky to get back in.....

I was concerned that the filter didn't have a proper seal because there were no gaskets and no ridges compared to the original filter.... it was metal on metal. Maybe it isn't critical!

I had to remove the engine oil filter to have room to work.

I'll repost after running it for a few more hours, but, I think Jerry/MT is absolutely correct!

Thank you Jerry/MT.

Take care,

John

 

[exedman]

Hi all....

It appears that I dodged the bullet and that replacing the filter solved the problem. Again, thank you Jerry/MT....

I have some reservations about the filter that i used which has no gaskets or ridges. It's an A&I A-18B250 PWR STR FILTER.

BTW...I used about two cups of Tractor Supply Super Trac 303 Tractor Hydraulic Fluid to top off my power steering fluid. Whatever was in there originally was reddish.

I hope that was O.K.

Take care,

John

 

[Texasmark]

Hi all....

It appears that I dodged the bullet and that replacing the filter solved the problem. Again, thank you Jerry/MT....

I have some reservations about the filter that i used which has no gaskets or ridges. It's an A&I A-18B250 PWR STR FILTER.

BTW...I used about two cups of Tractor Supply Super Trac 303 Tractor Hydraulic Fluid to top off my power steering fluid. Whatever was in there originally was reddish.

I hope that was O.K.

Take care,

John

In the marine industry ATF is sometimes used for power trim and tilt pumps on engines. The rule of thumb there is if red replace/top off with ATF; if clear, use PTT fluid aka a highly refined hyd fluid....almost clear. Doubt just topping off would make that much difference. Seems ATF has a variety of applications other than it's namesake. Was just reading a couple of days ago where a guy had an engine stuck so he filled the cylinders with ATF and the next day he could roll it.

 

[ovrszd]

Do you have any pics of this filter you changed? Where it's located, etc.? My owner's manual says to contact my dealer to change the power steering oil and filter. Any help will be appreciated.

My 3910 steers hard when I first crank it. Seems the oil has to warm before it steers better. It's always steered a bit "slow" but I attribute that to being FWD. Thanks again for any advice.

 

[exedman]

Hi ovrszd....

The power steering reservoir tank on my 1973 Ford 4000 SU is located on the left side just in front of the screw-on engine oil filter and it has a filler cap a little over an inch across like a small radiator cap.

You may be just low on fluid. I am not sure what type to put in. The recommended original product for mine is no longer available.

I changed my own filter and it took about two hours. I could now do it in an hour....but.....my industrial loader frame is in the way and I had to remove the engine oil filter to give myself more room.

There are several filters available for the pump....they are apparently all substitutes for the original part...??

Mine steered a little hard after replacing the filter until I topped off the reservoir. You shouldn't have to bleed it...it purges the air with use.

Check youtube for a video on changing the filter....it's quite helpful.

Take care,

John

 

[exedman]

Oh Oh!!!

My steering column issue is back on my Ford 4000.

On startup, it drools a teaspoon of power steering fluid. And, after a bit of use it may drool a bit more.

I changed the filter but it didn't help much.

I wonder if draining all the fluid and starting with fresh and a new filter would help? Or, using a different fluid?

Why does it drool on startup?

Where is the best place to drain as much fluid as possible?

Would it be foolhardy to not use a filter?

Take care,

John

 

[exedman]

Hi all......

It appears that using ATF has solved my issue for the moment. I added Automatic Transmission Fluid to the power steering reservoir and changed the filter and it eventually stopped drooling at the steering column.

I believe that I have "topped off" the reservoir with a total of about 2 quarts of ATF. So, it's o.k. for the time being.

Take care,

John

 

[Tennsawdust]

John,
Weeping out of the top seal of the power steering box seems to be an almost universal issue with our Fords. Running ATF in the system seems to help - at least for a few years. Eventually the seal wears a groove in the shaft so a new seal won't fix it by itself. Apparently there is a special kit for repairing that issue. I haven't tried it on mine because it has other issues to go along with the leaking seal. So far I've done what most people seem to do: top it off regularly and put up with the leak.

 

[exedman]

Hi...
When it leaked initially, I saw a bit of red....I should have taken the hint. But, I followed some advice and put in a cup or two of 303 from TSC. It kept leaking a teaspoon more or less per half hour. I kept a small towel under the steering column in front of the shifting levers.
After changing the filter a second time, I decided to use ATF and see if a lighter oil would help. 2 quarts. It has.....so far!!!
What a delight to run my 3 pt hitch snowblower with power steering and no leaking.
Soooooo.....maybe the drama is over for awhile.

Good luck,
John

 

[Texasmark]

As I read, ATF is said to contain seal softeners among other things.

I find ebay full of PS filters for Fords and the Orings for the bolt and housing. They also have caps for the pump fill port which stop drooling from there on older machines where the rubber insert is worn out.

 

[exedman]

Hi Texasmark.....
I recall reading that about the seal softeners in ATF. The kits for the seals are $100 or so but the labor costs to replace the one in the bottom of the steering column runs $500 or more. It sounded like more than I could tackle doing it myself. My tractor guru said, "Have a big workbench.....there are lots of parts".......
I have been fortunate since using ATF and have not had drooling at the column or elsewhere. I'm convinced that the previous owner was using ATF because of the reddish color when it drooled. I believe that ATF is similar to Dextrol maybe. Have you seen the youtube video where the guy drilled a hole in the column and suspends a recovery container much like collecting maple sap here in Vermont?
Take care, John

 

[Michael Mcpeek]

Breather on top of gearbox is plugged check U tube