Steering valve leak

DHS · Apr 7, 2005

The steering valve is leaking on my three year old 422. It appears to be leaking from the top of the valve just below the steering wheel. I assume it is a leaking seal. Has anyone had a similar problem? I will call PT in the morning.

DHS

MossRoad · Apr 9, 2005

Did you find anything out?

DHS · Apr 9, 2005

Mossroad,

I spoke with Terry at PT. He thought it was the seal. I had the option of sending the valve to PT or shipping the seal to me. Seems the lower part of the valve must not come apart because of all the inner pieces. Terry said the valve is unusable if the lower section comes apart. A new valve is $500. So, I had them send the $74 seal to me. I should receive it early next week. I'll let you know how interest of a job it is. It is a slow leak and I am using the PT for spring cleanup.
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DHS

DHS · Apr 18, 2005

Steering valve seal replacement:

I ordered the seal from PT and Terry provided the advise. It is an easy job if you don’t screw up. You don’t want to separate the lower sections of the valve. These are the steps I followed.

Label and remove the five hydraulic hoses from the bottom of the valve.

I covered the five fittings on the valve with 3/8" furniture tips to protect the fittings.

Removed the steering wheel with punch and hammer. Dis covered the steering wheel does not need to be removed to remove the steering valve.

Removed four nuts that attach the valve to the control panel and removed the valve.

Duck taped the lower 3/4 of the valve and placed it in a vice.

Removed the four bolts holding the valve together.

The top section and the seal/spacer come off easily.

Installed the new seal/spacer and center it.

Install and tighten the four bolts.

Install the valve, attach hoses, and connect the steering wheel if you removed it.

It was easy with Terry’s advice.

Dale

tracdoc · Apr 18, 2005

Great job DHS!

The perseverance and ingenuity of PTers on this Forum is amazing, if not somewhat daunting. I am certainly pleased to have this knowledge base at my fingertips.

MossRoad · Apr 19, 2005

Congratulations on the repair and thanks for the notes. Sounds like you are comfortable working on the machine. Dirt is the enemy of these hydraulics. Nice tip on the furniture tips for covers. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

DHS · Apr 19, 2005

Thanks. Yes, I am comfortable working on my PT. I have mended a number of small problems. The furniture tips were to protect the easily damaged connectors. Keeping it clean was an added benifit.

Dale