STEERING WHEEL on PT-422 (2003)

ldabe · Sep 15, 2020

Hey guys,
My Steering Wheel turns, but the tractor itself is not turning.

The shaft that the Steering Wheel is connected to turns, but there is no articulation of the tractor.

Before I waste much of my time trying to figure it out, any ideas or suggestions on what I should look for and check?

Thanks.

MossRoad · Sep 15, 2020

Hydraulic oil level first.

MossRoad · Sep 15, 2020

If we think about your steering circuit, and if it's anything like my 425's, one of the pumps supplies fluid to the steering valve. There's a power beyond port on the steering valve that supplies the FEL/Aux PTO valve bank. Then the fluid returns to the tank.

Does your FEL work UP/DOWN/TILT/CURL?

MossRoad · Sep 15, 2020

If your FEL is working, but you have no steering, then I'd suspect the steering valve.

MossRoad · Sep 15, 2020

Also, for some reason, I think I remember there's a steering wheel shaft. I think there might be one pin holding the steering wheel to the shaft, and maybe a bolt holding the other end of the shaft to the valve. Maybe the other end of the steering wheel shaft came loose from the valve end. I'd start there and see if my memory is faulty.

ldabe · Sep 16, 2020

So, talked to Terry today, and he said it is the Steering Cylinders (2- 1 on each side). He says the seals need to be replaced.

NOTICE! (From Terry) DO NOT mess with the Steering Valve! Don't touch it, don't look at it! LOL, Terry was very stern on that point. He says they cost $1300, and he cannot even work on them to get them back together once they are apart.

@MossRoad,
the first thing I checked was the "Roll Pin" that holds the steering wheel to the steering shaft, I thought maybe it was like a sheer pin and broke, but it was good.
The next check was the hydro fluid, which was good. It has a metal dip stick connected to the cap, Terry said as long as it registers on the tip of the dip stick it is good, and not to go over 3/4 above the end of the dip stick. The stick has no markings on it.

The FEL works, UP/DOWN/TILT/CURL. The PT drives forward and backward (but no steering).

Terry said I could try and fix the seals on the Steering Cylinders myself, or send them to him, $100 for the pair to fix.
(Has anyone did these seals on their own?)

I told Terry that the cylinders were not leaking, he said it is an internal problem, the seals in the cylinders.

MossRoad · Sep 16, 2020

Many years ago, I had some steering issues on my 425. I suspected the steering valve, so I called Terry to price a new one. He said "OK, Let's look up the price on that.... pause..... WOW! You don't want to know the price on that!" He was shocked and that was over 10 years ago. I started looking around on-line and the cheapest I found was something like $750. Anyhow, it turned out to be something else. But I think I still recall another bolt in that shaft. I'll have to look.

ldabe · Sep 16, 2020

MossRoad said:
Many years ago, I had some steering issues on my 425. I suspected the steering valve, so I called Terry to price a new one. He said "OK, Let's look up the price on that.... pause..... WOW! You don't want to know the price on that!" He was shocked and that was over 10 years ago. I started looking around on-line and the cheapest I found was something like $750. Anyhow, it turned out to be something else. But I think I still recall another bolt in that shaft. I'll have to look.

MossRoad, appreciate it. Let me know if you find anything on "another bolt in that shaft."

Though I am not real mechanical, I am going to attempt fixing the steering cylinders. I ordered two seal kits today from Keith at PT.
(If anyone has done a seal job of the steering cylinders, please let me know your experience, thanks.)