Need Help in finding part at a salvage yard (Power Steering Cyl. for my 4500)

[aczlan]

good suggestion - thanks. How do I know what stroke I need. Also, what about the pressure? I have no idea what the power steeing pump (or hydraulic pump) puts out. I am guessing that it is 2500 or 3000 psi, but that is just a guess.

Tractordata lists your tractor as having a 2500PSI hydraulic system. As for stroke, I would measure how far each way your current cylinder goes and work off of that.

Aaron Z

 

[MMH]

Tractordata lists your tractor as having a 2500PSI hydraulic system. As for stroke, I would measure how far each way your current cylinder goes and work off of that.

Aaron Z

Thanks again. That may be difficult as the cylinder is damaged, but I will try. If the stroke is too long, I assume that the tie rod end or something else will get damaged? Too short & I will not get full steering. Also, I will need the outer tie rod ends. Ideally the male thread that threads to the inner tie rod that is attached to the ball joint will have the same thread as what is in my tractor. Will matching up these components be difficult? Will I be better off just replacing the tie rods & ball joints? Do you have a source for these components?

 

[aczlan]

Thanks again. That may be difficult as the cylinder is damaged, but I will try. If the stroke is too long, I assume that the tie rod end or something else will get damaged? Too short & I will not get full steering.

Too long and your front wheels (from above) will look like /==\ too short and they will look like \==/
I might see if you could find a working machine to compare it to...
You will also need to compare mounting points to make sure you will be able to attach the cylinder to the axle.

Also, I will need the outer tie rod ends. Ideally the male thread that threads to the inner tie rod that is attached to the ball joint will have the same thread as what is in my tractor. Will matching up these components be difficult? Will I be better off just replacing the tie rods & ball joints? Do you have a source for these components?

I would get a thread size and pitch gauge and see what your current ones are. If nothing else, take the inner tierod end into your local hardware store and they should be able to tell you what size the threads are.
As for sources, I dont have any. I have just seen those cylinders on the Surplus Center site and thought that they might do the trick.

Aaron Z

 

[MMH]

Too long and your front wheels (from above) will look like /==\ too short and they will look like \==/
I might see if you could find a working machine to compare it to...
You will also need to compare mounting points to make sure you will be able to attach the cylinder to the axle.


I would get a thread size and pitch gauge and see what your current ones are. If nothing else, take the inner tierod end into your local hardware store and they should be able to tell you what size the threads are.
As for sources, I dont have any. I have just seen those cylinders on the Surplus Center site and thought that they might do the trick.

Aaron Z

When I said too long/short I was reffering to the length of the stroke, not overall length of the rod. I imagine that I will have to fabricate a mounting for to cylinder as I doubt that it will match up exactly. I will carely look at & measure my cylinder tonight.

 

[MMH]

Final update. Had my cylinder fixed. Had to redefine "not serviceable" . Took it to a buddy that has a fab. & mach. shop & is in the business of refurbishing equipment. He machined a couple of welds off the cylinder, and then pulled the rod/cylinder out. He made a new piston for it which he shrunk on a chromed 1045 rod. The bushings on both ends were OK, but the oil seals were trashed. These were another JD special, so he just machined up the ends of the cylinder to accept standard seals (which he got from McMaster Carr). He put everything back together & then TIG'ed the three pieces of the cylinder back together.

Put the cylinder back in the tractor and all is GREAT!!!

 

[wdchyd]

Great News MMH..!!

Not serviceable is only defined to the inexperienced or parts changer.......You'd be surprised on what can be fixed nowadays.....:thumbsup:

 

[wthompson]

Great news!

 

[MMH]

Thanks guys. This started w/ me being too stubborn to pay JD $1000. I found a generic 2 way steering cylinder & designed up some mounts so that I can adapt it to my 4500. I could fab the mounts up but would need to get them machined, so, I made a couple of sketches & went to my buddy. He responded by saying "we can do that, but, if it were me I'd cut apart the cylinder & rebuild it". The rest as they say is history.

 

[jenkinsph]

MMH,
Glad it all worked out for you.:thumbsup:


I am not an accomplished welder by any stretch of my imagination but I used to rebuild cylinders and have built two large machines for reconditioning and honing. The larger machine could handle up to 24" bore and 16' stroke length cylinders. It is good to hear of people still willing to make repairs rather than being forced into the high priced replacement parts. Bet the cylinder is better than new now.

 

[axgold]

Final update. Had my cylinder fixed. Had to redefine "not serviceable" . Took it to a buddy that has a fab. & mach. shop & is in the business of refurbishing equipment. He machined a couple of welds off the cylinder, and then pulled the rod/cylinder out. He made a new piston for it which he shrunk on a chromed 1045 rod. The bushings on both ends were OK, but the oil seals were trashed. These were another JD special, so he just machined up the ends of the cylinder to accept standard seals (which he got from McMaster Carr). He put everything back together & then TIG'ed the three pieces of the cylinder back together.

Put the cylinder back in the tractor and all is GREAT!!!

what was the final cost?