Sloppy notchy steering on JD 2040S

[Doug Hutwagner]

I have a JD 2040S. The steering is notchy almost like cavitation. My rear lift is also weak. I replaced filters , screens and flushed the system. The tractor didn't get any better. The dealer said he would have to split the tractor (and remove the cab). He said the power steering pump may be bad, or the lines disconnected. This is about a $5000 repair. This is more than I can afford to spend. Has anyone had similar issues with this Tractor?

 

[Tx Jim]

The dealer said he would have to split the tractor (and remove the cab). He said the power steering pump may be bad, or the lines disconnected.

I'd suggest you find a dealer that employs technicians that know & understand the type hyd system that a 2040S tractor has. There's no separate internal power steering pump on this tractor. Yes there is an internal trans pump that lubricates trans,supplies oil to hyd pto & hi-lo and furnishes oil to frt hyd pump. If your tractor is truly a 2040S then the hyd system is the closed-center type of which an internal hyd leak can cause serious hyd malfunctions. 1st thing to check is stand-by pressure which should be 2250 psi. 2nd remove hyd oil filler cap and with 3pt raised,engine running look in filler hole for spraying oil. 3rd does tractor has a FEL? 4th disconnect power steering line on RH side,cap pressure line and see if hyd functions improve.