Help removing power steering cylinder from MF3165

dirtrancher · May 22, 2017

Hello,
Having a rough time removing the power steering cylinder from a Massey Ferguson MF3165. In concept it seems pretty simple, just remove the bolts (#4) securing the cylinder pivot pin, then remove the pin (#3), and finally the cylinder assembly (#1).

I'm having a problem accessing the bolts. To gain access, it appears necessary to remove the Main Steering Assembly Arm (#19). I've removed all the parts securing the arm (#20, 21, 32, 46), but the arm won't come off the shaft. It looks like it should slide right off. I've doused it with penetrating oil, but still no luck. Any suggestions or help would greatly be appreciated. Thank you!

dirtrancher · May 23, 2017

Pictures of cylinder

Xfaxman · May 23, 2017

No experience on this model, but it looks like you only need to loosen the bolts, not remove them.

Looks like they only clamp the pin in place.

You may need a set of hydraulic wrenches or some offset wrenches to loosen the bolts.

dirtrancher · May 23, 2017

Great tip. Thank you! I needed another excuse to buy more tools. haha

spokane 1 · May 24, 2017

I had a pin like this on a Montana it was mushroomed.

can you hike the pin up the wrong way with a floor lift. and use a metal file to file the pin round.. the top?....then use a propane torch add a little heat to the item its stuck to anything 200-300 degrees is fine.. then flash it with ice.
be careful if rubber seals are anywhere around the heat.

dirtrancher · May 29, 2017

Hello again. I'm ordered some offset wrenches, they'll arrive in a few days. In the meantime, I'm still trying to remove the upper steering arm by knocking the steering shaft down through the arm assembly. I removed the snap ring above the upper arm and removed the bolts securing the steering shaft base to the tie rods. No matter how hard I pound on the shaft, it won't drop down. I also used a long steel pipe as a lever trying to pry the base away from underneath. Nothing...

Any suggestions?

Thanks again!

dirtrancher · Jun 7, 2017

Update: Tried using a hydraulic wrench (thanks for the tip xfaxman) to remove the power steering cylinder. The wrench provided great access to the bolt, but the bolt is in there too tight. The wrench started digging into the bolt head.

I switched back to trying to remove the power steering shaft. Thanks for the tips spokane1. I didn't see any mushrooming at the top. I heated up the arm then iced the shaft, still no luck after a few tries. The arm just won't come off the shaft by lifting the arm upward off the shaft.

I've also been trying to pound the shaft through the floor of the tractor. The tie rods might be preventing the shaft from falling through. I had no idea the tie rod bolts were so tough.

On to plan C: Now I'm trying to rebuild the cylinder without removing the entire unit from the tractor. Wish me luck!

Xfaxman · Jun 7, 2017

Good luck and keep us posted.

spokane 1 · Jun 7, 2017

dirtrancher said:
Update: Tried using a hydraulic wrench (thanks for the tip xfaxman) to remove the power steering cylinder. The wrench provided great access to the bolt, but the bolt is in there too tight. The wrench started digging into the bolt head.

I switched back to trying to remove the power steering shaft. Thanks for the tips spokane1. I didn't see any mushrooming at the top. I heated up the arm then iced the shaft, still no luck after a few tries. The arm just won't come off the shaft by lifting the arm upward off the shaft.

I've also been trying to pound the shaft through the floor of the tractor. The tie rods might be preventing the shaft from falling through. I had no idea the tie rod bolts were so tough.

On to plan C: Now I'm trying to rebuild the cylinder without removing the entire unit from the tractor. Wish me luck!

rebuilding in place is great. I assume what has happened to the pin it has deep ruts where the power cylinder delivers the power in the middle of the shaft.
those of us diesel guys know all to many times what this takes to get the pin out. (fire wrench or drill).
those half worn shaft ruts cause mushroom bulges above and below.
ive had to mag drill the entire shafts like this... hallow to get them to exit usually drilling them down to 1/8th inch on all sides and then using a large punch to drive it out.... usually works out ok due to a grease galley down the center that holds the drill strait from eating into bushings or other surfaces.

Ive had to do this on large excavator and backhoe pins where the operators failed to grease them.

dirtrancher · Jun 8, 2017

spokane 1 said:
rebuilding in place is great. I assume what has happened to the pin it has deep ruts where the power cylinder delivers the power in the middle of the shaft.
those of us diesel guys know all to many times what this takes to get the pin out. (fire wrench or drill).
those half worn shaft ruts cause mushroom bulges above and below.
ive had to mag drill the entire shafts like this... hallow to get them to exit usually drilling them down to 1/8th inch on all sides and then using a large punch to drive it out.... usually works out ok due to a grease galley down the center that holds the drill strait from eating into bushings or other surfaces.

Ive had to do this on large excavator and backhoe pins where the operators failed to grease them.

Wow! Now I don't feel so bad about struggling with this. I almost have the cylinder apart, still working to remove the piston tube from the cap.