KAMA Steering cylinder replacement info needed

GRUMPA · Aug 22, 2004

As many of you already know some of these imports require the owners to be somewhat handy with a wrench. Pretty much right off the bat the steering cylinder leeked, not much just the annoying drip. The dealer sent me a new one rather promptly and I informed him it may be some time because summer heat here is no laughing matter. Well it was kinda cool yesterday morining so I figured what the heck I'll get off my keester and get it done.

Got all my tools out and ready to go when I was wondering where the bolts that hold it into place are located. After hunting for them I realized that they're located just under the radiator, which means not only do I have to remove the radiator but drain the fluids, remove the intake filter, remove the fan so I can take out the steering cylinder.

Now any of you done this before?. Is there an easier way? Since I just got it (from an out of town dealer) is there a reason why I not only have to work on this at my own expense but have to ship the bad part back to the warehouse at my expense?. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

bluechip · Aug 22, 2004

My suggestion is to just drop the front axle. the cylinder is attached to this aseembly. 4 bolts and two hydraulic connections is all that need be disturbed.
1. Park the tractor on a stable work surface (concrete floor)
2 raise front of tractor (you can use the loader if equipped)
3. use good jack stands and properly support tractor (not by the axle).
4. Use a floor jack to support the front axle, remove the 4 bolts and two hydraulic lines.
5. Lower the axle, once off the dowl pins draw forward on the floor jack to clear the front drive shaft splines.
6. Measure the total distance between tie rod ends (for realignment)
7. Remove the cylinder and replace
8. adjust toe in (refer to item 6)
9 replace cylinder
10 reinstall by reverse procedure

We have had a couple of instances of O ring failure at the end cap of this cylinder. That O ring can be replaced without removing the cylinder.

IF an entire cyliner was requested it needs to be returned so it can be repaired and made available for other customers. We only request customers send back items that can be rebuilt or repaired, or are needed to evaluate and petition the factory for possible product improvement.

It should be noted here that this procedure is for KAMA Tai Shan (TS254C or TS354C) models only.

While this cylinder is in a somewhat difficult place to reach for service, it is up high and protected from hitting stumps and rocks compared to other brands that mount the cylinder below and in front of the axle.

GRUMPA · Aug 23, 2004

BLUECHIP,

Thanx for the advice, as soon as it starts to cool down (who knows when) I'll give it a closer look and see if I can make that happen. Its for this reason alone I wish someone would come out with a shop manual for these things cause I wont have net access for to much longer.

bluechip · Aug 23, 2004

Grumpa,

Ive been thinking more about this, you may be able to reach the bolts simply by tilting the front axle from side to side while the front of the tractor is lifted up by your loader (and a suitable jack stand for safety). You might try that first and maybe you won't have to pull the front axle.

A lot of maint. info is in the manual, but I have never seen any chinese company come up with a good service & repair manual for thier tractors, even some of the bigger brands of tractors are lacking in that area. Also the parts book will provide "exploded views" to assist in how things come appart and go together, although not much help in this instance.

GRUMPA · Aug 24, 2004

BLUECHIP,

This is what I got from the guy I bought it from, see if this makes sence to you at all.

It is not necessary to take all of that off to get to that cylinder. All you
have to do is jack the front end of the tractor up so that the front wheels
are off the ground where you can tilt them each way in order to get to the
two bolts underneath that hold that cylinder in place.

It just dosnt sound right to me but what do I know I've never done this type of work before.

bluechip · Aug 24, 2004

He is saying the same thing I tried to in my post. The front axle pivots on its mounting. once the front axle is up off the ground you can push the tire on one side down toward the ground and that should give you enough room to reach in and unbolt the mounting for the cyliner. repeat it on the other side and the cylinder should be free (after you dissconnect the hydraulic lines and inner tie rod end).