Please Diagnose: Power Steering Problem

[Travis_R]

I can do some work on atvs, lawn mowers, weed eaters, and change brakes on vehicles, but would give up some of those things to diagnose power steering problems on tractors!

 

[Travis_R]

I bought the "Traveller Premium Trans/Hydraulic Fluid" at Tractor Supply earlier today and put it in my tractor. It came in a 2.5 gal. jug. Didn't have any quart bottles. The oil is compatible with many, many makes of tractor fluid requirements/specs.
O'Reilly auto didn't have anything compatible with Massey Permatran III.

It still didn't help with the steering problem but I'm going to keep using this stuff because of the compatibility. I was using Valvoline ATF High Mileage Synthetic fluid. Red, Dexron III.
Had been in the tractor for about 700 hours, so maybe it was good stuff I don't know. My tractor sits more than it's used. I've had it for 9 years and put 835 hrs. on it. That's only about 93 hrs. a year.

 

[gordo350]

I had a similar problem on my mf135. Took the pump of the motor and pulled it apart. Turned out a gasket on the pressure side blew out. Replaced the gasket. All good as new. If you fill the reservoir to the brim you should see the level drop when you move the steering wheel. If it doesn't it may be the valve on the steering column. Sometimes the connection comes adrift. Think it has a couple of split pins holding it on. Hope this helps

 

[boggen]

if ya going to DIY. ya might as well go all in. and start tearing it apart. from steering wheel and working your way down to the steering valve. taking it apart, cleaning it up, checking bearings, and sprockets/gears as you go. worst comes to worst, you fail, and take it to a dealer. then again you might find a $2 to $30 buck fix. vs a $400 buck fix.

guessing at most you will need a "steering wheel puller" and maybe a "bearing puller" if bearing needs replaced, beyond the general wrenches, socket wrenches, screw drivers, torque wrench, snap ring pliers/removers/installers. maybe a star bit, or an alen wrench.

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some times you can use same hydraulic fluid you use for FEL and/or rear remotes, or possibly transmission for the power steering fluid.

 

[Travis_R]

The culprit, or close to it?

May have found the culprit, or close to it?

Ok so I decided to take some sheet metal off and look at that control valve thing on the steering column. Looked like it had 2 lines coming out of it on each side. Maybe another line I don't remember.
I watched how it functioned by turning the steering wheel with and without the tractor running.

There is a threaded piece that connects the control valve to the steering column I guess you could say.
The threaded piece can be adjusted up or down (which I guess would be in or out in the control valve).

The threaded piece that connects to the piston (maybe?) in the control valve is barely moving up or down (or in/out) when the steering wheel is turned.
With the engine killed and tires on the ground it moves about 1/4 of an inch.
With the tractor running at high idle and tires on the ground, the piece in the control valve doesn't move at all, but I do have some power steering.
Is this normal?

Also, I think I'm seeing air bubbles in the power steering pump. Trying to post a couple pictures...

 

[Travis_R]

Pump & bubbles

2 Pictures right here hopefully...

 

[boggen]

if memory serves, when i was looking at agcopartsbooks. that tank directly above the steering pump. = your fill location for steering fluid. and not on the steering pump itself. (((if this is the case))) i would say you are low on steering fluid.

and looking at the location on the steering pump were you have taken pictures, looks like there was an "0-ring" or something there for a nice tight fluid tight fitting / cap or what ever was connected there. leading me to believe you are low on steering fluid and you are getting air into your system due to low fluid.

 

[gordo350]

Don't know what the tank on top does but the lower opening is the correct level for fluid. I think you may be on the right track with the control valve movement or lack of

 

[Travis_R]

if memory serves, when i was looking at agcopartsbooks. that tank directly above the steering pump. = your fill location for steering fluid. and not on the steering pump itself. (((if this is the case))) i would say you are low on steering fluid.

and looking at the location on the steering pump were you have taken pictures, looks like there was an "0-ring" or something there for a nice tight fluid tight fitting / cap or what ever was connected there. leading me to believe you are low on steering fluid and you are getting air into your system due to low fluid.

The fluid is not low. There was a sticker there that read "cold fill line do not fill above bottom threads.", or something along those lines.
The "tank" is just there for a vent when too much pressure builds up or too much oil is in it. It will force fluid out the top. The metal piece on top is spring loaded and I guess it's set for a certain pressure relief from the factory.

 

[Travis_R]

No luck yet!
Anybody reading this have the solution?
Adjusting the control valve linkage didn't change anything.
Could it be the pump?
How can I tell if the pump is bad?
I've ran the pump almost dry a few times when the left cylinder started leaking bad a couple years ago. Got so bad it had to be re-packed. That was 2 years ago and now just starting to have steering problems that I can't seem to diagnose.
If anybody can help me, PLEASE do. have got to get this hay baled ASAP.