steering binding up

[Soundguy]

I agree.. FWJ is probably quite familiar with the MF mechanical steering and the pow steering.

I have a MF manual at home that will covert he mech steering only.. but am at work.. etc.

soundguy

 

[aczlan]

ok, made it out to my parents place today and got some pix... I apologize for the quality, I forgot my real camera and had to take them on my phone.
I numbered the significant parts in the picture, the numbers are the same in all three pictures, the first "The Big Picture" was taken from the front, the second "low Front" is a closeup of the steering arm and the third "top back" was taked with the camera above and behind the hyd lines in the first picture.

How it works:
================================
in "The Big Picture" #3 is the rod coming from the steering box under the steering wheel, it connects directly to arm #4 which slides over shaft #10 (IIRC it is held on with a C clip, #4 is not splined and spins freely on shaft # 10
************
note: if you remove arm #1 and disconnect linkage #6 TIE THE STEERING WHEEL IN PLACE, that way someone does not do like I did and spin it. spinning the steering wheel causes the (steel) linkage #6 to meet with the (copper) radiator... this can cause bad things like the hole (#9 in the "top back" picture) to happen.
************
anyways, when you turn the steering wheel it moves #3 which moves #4. #4 moves tab #8 which is allowed some slack by the bolt #2 and its companion on the other side, this slack allows arm#5 to move linkage #6 and actuate the power assist cylinder #7 which then pushes on arm #1, arm #1 is splined, possibly keyed (my memory is a little but fuzzy on this as it has been ~10 years since I took this apart, that was at the age of 12) and the splines on arm #1 fit into the splines on shaft #10 and turn it, the other end of shaft #10 is welded to the plate that the tie rods bolt onto.
================================

what your problem could be, based on my understanding of this and of your description:
+++++++++++++
if you dont have enough slack on bolt #2 and its mate when you turn the steering wheel it wont be able to push on the linkage #6 and thus the power assist never happens.

OR

if your linkage (5, 6) is sloppy it may not trip the cylinder.

OR
if the place where 7 connects to 1 is worn too much it could let the cylinder turn off before doing any work.

OR
where arm #4 hooks onto shaft #10 could be worn and be twisting instead of pushing on #5/6

++++++++++++++++

how I would troubleshoot it:
----------------------------
1. check all the attachment points in the pictures for wear.
2. remove #6 and CAREFULLY push/pull on it with the tractor running, this will tell you if the hyd part works.
3. put the front end up on some kind of blocks to get the weight off of the tires, this will allow you to check how #1 and #4 fit on #10.
----------------------------

Hope this helps you.


Aaron Z

 

[Blackfoot]

Hello Aaron, Well I sure thank you for all of your time, But we have differant tractor parts in the way of how things work. On my tractor everything that makes things turn is in the steering column under the steering wheel. I checked the pump out and everything seems to be working ok with it. So it looks like I will be rebuilding the guts. I got a book on this tractor and the trouble-shooting chart suggest that with it only wanting to turn one way, it is either a faulty control valve thrust bearing or sticking or binding valve spool. I think I will overhaul the whole unit. Thanks again,,,,,badlybent

 

[Soundguy]

Thrust bearings can certiantly let parts bind up, depending on the design of the steering system.. ( IE.. wormshaft and sector arms.. etc.. )

soundguy

 

[WarrenF]

Hello Aaron, Well I sure thank you for all of your time, But we have differant tractor parts in the way of how things work. On my tractor everything that makes things turn is in the steering column under the steering wheel. I checked the pump out and everything seems to be working ok with it. So it looks like I will be rebuilding the guts. I got a book on this tractor and the trouble-shooting chart suggest that with it only wanting to turn one way, it is either a faulty control valve thrust bearing or sticking or binding valve spool. I think I will overhaul the whole unit. Thanks again,,,,,badlybent

You can certainly do what you wish....however if it was me....I would send Farmwithjunk a private message and ask him about the problem you are experiencing. Just might save you some time and grief and DOLLARS.

 

[aczlan]

Hello Aaron, Well I sure thank you for all of your time, But we have differant tractor parts in the way of how things work.

oh well, better luck next time.

On my tractor everything that makes things turn is in the steering column under the steering wheel.

hmm, is the ram under there too or just the valve??? seems odd to put the ram that far away and have to transmit that much force on the push shaft...

ok, sorry I couldn't be of more assistance.

Aaron Z

 

[Soundguy]

I wouldn't mind seeing a pic of that... most pow steer setups have a ram on the pittman arm or a draglink.. etc.... or under the front bolster.. etc..

soundguy

 

[Farmwithjunk]

OK. This CAN be a simple adjustment issue. That ISN'T "Power Steering" as much as it is "POWER ASSIST STEERING" It depends on correct adjustment of that little turnbuckle on the very top of the assembly. It's rather complicated to explain, and I'd just confuse you further with my explaination, so, PM me with a fax # or a mailing address and I'll copy the pages from the Massey Ferguson tech manual that covers the adjustment procedures.

 

[Eagleview]

OK. This CAN be a simple adjustment issue. That ISN'T "Power Steering" as much as it is "POWER ASSIST STEERING" It depends on correct adjustment of that little turnbuckle on the very top of the assembly. It's rather complicated to explain, and I'd just confuse you further with my explaination, so, PM me with a fax # or a mailing address and I'll copy the pages from the Massey Ferguson tech manual that covers the adjustment procedures.

Is it a Danfosss Orbitrol unit they use ?