Troubleshooting Steering Problem

   / Troubleshooting Steering Problem #1  

George D

New member
Joined
Aug 4, 2007
Messages
4
Location
Alabama
Tractor
Mahindra 5500 FWD
I have a 5500 FWD with loader and have been doing a lot of digging in clay for the last few weeks to haul dirt to a new barn site and also work around my pond. This weekend I noticed a significant oversteer and would like to track the problem down. Problem is I am OK with routine maintenance but a dummy with most other mechanical issues. Can someone give me a clue as to what I might have done and how to track the problem down? Thanks for any help you can provide. George
 
   / Troubleshooting Steering Problem #2  
Careful, I work in Vehicle Dynamics Engineering. Gonna need a little more information about your use of the oversteer word. Do you mean the tractor wants to spin out of control if you run at highest speed with your hands on the steering wheel, or the steering effort has gotten really light, or does the wheel pull out of your hands if gripped only lightly?

Check tire pressures, whether the diff lock and/or 2wd or 4wd engaged. Loader bucket full, power steering fluid or hydraulic oil at capacity, bent tierods, tire treads full of clay, wheel offsets different left to right, etc. All these factors will make a tractor exhibit steer issues.
 
   / Troubleshooting Steering Problem
  • Thread Starter
#3  
Thanks for the reply. Tractor is in 4 wheel drive and I've cleaned the tires and tie rods. What I mean is the steering seems very loose...it takes a lot more input for the wheels to respond. Definitely a big change in the way it handles now than before last weekend.
 
   / Troubleshooting Steering Problem #4  
I had a 6000 and had the same problem. It was very low on fluid. You must follow the manual carefully to get it to top off. Once I did that it worked well. Just topping off the resorvoir did not help. Hope this helps.
 
   / Troubleshooting Steering Problem
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Mark
That did it! Thank you. I had to reread the manual and fill it about 5 times after starting, stopping and then turning the wheels. It took a lot of fluid to get it right.
 
   / Troubleshooting Steering Problem #6  
Can you explain the steps you had to go through? My dad has an old Farmall 656 that is showing the same symptoms and we have no clue how to remedy it. I suspect it's the same type of issue. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 

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