Power Steering Help

[jpowell86]

Jimmy,

I think you'll find that rebuilding the cylinder will do the job for you. When you go to do that, I suggest that you have your digital camera next to you so you can take pictures of the piston and seal assemblies ans you open up the cylinder. That will give you a reference for putting the new stuff in in the correct order. (Guess how I learned this...)

The only real difficulty I've ever had rebuilding a cylinder is sometimes getting the piston back in without damaging the seals. What has worked for me is to use a small piston ring compressor to compress the seals just enough to slip in the cylinder. That and plenty of hydraulic fluid to lube it first.

It's not really too complex and, if you run into problems, you can always call Tommy at his Houston office and he'll walk you through it.

I need to do the steering cylinder on my 304, too. It still works well enough to use it so I haven't made it a priority - too many other fires to stamp out first...

Rich

Thank you for the info Rich! I really need the power steering to work. Its not fun trying to move dirt without it.

 

[jpowell86]

I got my parts Saturday from Affordable Tractor Sales. I decided to pull the pump and steering gear stuff apart to look at the insides of those. I like taking stuff apart and checking out how things work. It didn't look like there was much that could go wrong with either of those. There was a stack of washers in the cap next to the pressure line of the power steering pump. The cap there has a spring in there also. There was some sort of piston like thing at the other end of the spring. I also pulled the steering cylinder off. Is there a way to actually test the cylinder to see if it is bypassing internally like the earlier posts suggested? I have to find a spanner tool before I can actually pull the cylinder apart.

 

[jpowell86]

Does anyone know what pin size I need to get for the pin Spanner Wrench. I borrowed some from a coworker and the smallest sized he had was still too big for the holes on the 300 series steering cylinder.

 

[Diamondpilot]

To get mine apart I put it in a vise, place 2 phillips head screwdrivers in the spanner holes, and then used a 3rd large screw driver between the 2 phillips to back it out. May be redneck but it worked for me.

Chris

 

[Bob Rooks]

Take your pick

adjustable spanner - Google Product Search

 

[jpowell86]

i Tried the armstron 34-151 which was the smallest that my co-worker had and the pins were too big.

 

[Bob Rooks]

Then I would try heavy 90 degree snap ring pliers.

 

[Rich Waugh]

What I've done in the past when faced with oddball pin spanner requirements is to make a quickie out of a piece of 3/8" or 1/2" flat bar and a couple stubs of music (spring) wire of the appropriate gauge. Only take a couple minutes if you have an electric drill and a set of numbered drills. Just set a pair of divider to the centers of the pin holes and transfer that to the flat bar and drill the holes. There's no need to affix the pins in the holes since the force is all in shear.

Rich

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have also gotten them apart with a large pair of needle nose pliers. Stick the nose of them in the holes then use a large screw driver between the jaws for leverage to get it loose.

Chris

 

[jpowell86]

Got the seals all replaced. Still no power steering though. Where to go next?