L3800 power steering problem

[smilinjak]

I posted on the repair forum and got no response so will give this a try. Tractor: 2012 L3800 HST 4x4
My power steering isn't as powerful as it was or should. When stopped or moving slow ( engine speed 2000RPM) the power steering dosen't give any assist past half cut. I have checked the linkage, hydraulic lines for damage, and fluid level. All other hydraulic operations seem to function normally. There are no fluid leaks from the steering gear seals.
Any ideas? anybody else have this problem?

Smilinjak

 

[ultrarunner]

So far have not had any steering issues with our L3800

Do you have any warranty coverage?

 

[smilinjak]

So far have not had any steering issues with our L3800

Do you have any warranty coverage?

Thanks for the come back Curt , the warranty ran out in April while everything was working well. I haven't called the dealer yet. I have had other dragons to slay.

Smilinjak

 

[ultrarunner]

Isn't that always the case...

 

[smilinjak]

Always my luck, thats the reason I don't buy extended warranties, after I pay an exorbatent price it runs out the week before I have a failure.

Smilinjak

 

[roadracer86]

Have you fixed your steering issue with your 3800? I've got a leak that I can't stop on the steering box even after installing a seal kit which is frustrating. I like your situation just came off warranty and right on cue my first major problem.

 

[roadracer86]

Did you get your problem solved? I've got a similar problem with a L3800 with some sticking and a slight leak coming from the ball screw cover. I've rebuilt the pump with the Kubota seal kit with no luck. I also just came off warranty a month ago as well and now I'm facing a really expensive pump replacement ($1,200)since I'm not going to tear the pump out again and risk having to do it again. Frustrating to say the least. I've got 204 hours on my machine and I'm not happy that I'm experiencing problems with only a couple hundred hours on the clock.

 

[smilinjak]

Did you get your problem solved? I've got a similar problem with a L3800 with some sticking and a slight leak coming from the ball screw cover. I've rebuilt the pump with the Kubota seal kit with no luck. I also just came off warranty a month ago as well and now I'm facing a really expensive pump replacement ($1,200)since I'm not going to tear the pump out again and risk having to do it again. Frustrating to say the least. I've got 204 hours on my machine and I'm not happy that I'm experiencing problems with only a couple hundred hours on the clock.

I wonder why the two hundred hour mark is the time for power steering problems. I haven't done anything with it, more from a lack of time than anything. I can still use the machine as long as I don't get in to a tight spot. I am at a complete loss as to what could be the cause. I was hoping that somebody that had the problem had solved it without having to buy a new tractor.
Smilinjak :confused2:

 

[roadracer86]

I wonder why the two hundred hour mark is the time for power steering problems. I haven't done anything with it, more from a lack of time than anything. I can still use the machine as long as I don't get in to a tight spot. I am at a complete loss as to what could be the cause. I was hoping that somebody that had the problem had solved it without having to buy a new tractor.
Smilinjak :confused2:

Well I haven't solved mine either; yours sounds like a pressure related problem. there is an adjustment on the pump itself to raise or lower pressure which requires a pressure gauge to adjust. I bought the service manual that describes the process but I don't have the tools. I've had my pump out and torn down; pretty simple design honestly. The only issue is if the steering input seal on the ball screw is leaking; like mine you either have to replace the whole ball screw which is $950 (non-serviceable item) or the whole pump which is $1,200. I'm calling my dealer again and asking to speak to a district service rep. I'll post what I find out.

 

[smilinjak]

Well I haven't solved mine either; yours sounds like a pressure related problem. there is an adjustment on the pump itself to raise or lower pressure which requires a pressure gauge to adjust. I bought the service manual that describes the process but I don't have the tools. I've had my pump out and torn down; pretty simple design honestly. The only issue is if the steering input seal on the ball screw is leaking; like mine you either have to replace the whole ball screw which is $950 (non-serviceable item) or the whole pump which is $1,200. I'm calling my dealer again and asking to speak to a district service rep. I'll post what I find out.

Appreciate the come back roadracer. Thanks for the information about the pressure adjustment on the pump. I know you can shim the relief pressure with shims, don't know if that would do the same thing. A pressure guage isn't hard or expensive to make. I have been intendinf to order the components but haven't done it yet. I get involved in woodworking and forget that I need to work on my tractor. I think about it seriously when I need to spend the time in the seat instead of the shop. :laughing:
Smilinjak

 

[roadracer86]

Appreciate the come back roadracer. Thanks for the information about the pressure adjustment on the pump. I know you can shim the relief pressure with shims, don't know if that would do the same thing. A pressure guage isn't hard or expensive to make. I have been intendinf to order the components but haven't done it yet. I get involved in woodworking and forget that I need to work on my tractor. I think about it seriously when I need to spend the time in the seat instead of the shop. :laughing:
Smilinjak

Yeah I read about increasing the relief pressure on this tractor on the main hydro pump but I would try the relief valve on the pump itself first. I'd hate to damage the HST unit or trans trying to compensate for the weak steering by increasing the overall pressure on the whole system. Yours just might be a slight adjustment on the steering box and you will be good to go. If you have a dealer close by they can send a tech and he probably have it resolved in less than an hour would be my guess.

 

[Fallon]

Yeah I read about increasing the relief pressure on this tractor on the main hydro pump but I would try the relief valve on the pump itself first. I'd hate to damage the HST unit or trans trying to compensate for the weak steering by increasing the overall pressure on the whole system.

The HST is a separate hydraulic system from everything else. It shares a common sump though. Hydraulics have their own filter & the HST has its own dedicated filter too.

 

[roadracer86]

The HST is a separate hydraulic system from everything else. It shares a common sump though. Hydraulics have their own filter & the HST has its own dedicated filter too.

Yes, correct. I wasn't thinking about that but I'd be a bit gun shy to boost pressure on the overall hydraulics for fear of blowing something else out. The steering box would be my choice if I had to increase psi somewhere in the system to address a weak steering issue.

 

[smilinjak]

Any pressure adjustments I make will be according to factory specs and checked with an accurate pressure guage. I have seen the results of doing it "by guess and by gosh". That method cost a lot more than the original problem would have cost if done by the dealer shop.
Smilinjak

 

[roadracer86]

Any pressure adjustments I make will be according to factory specs and checked with an accurate pressure guage. I have seen the results of doing it "by guess and by gosh". That method cost a lot more than the original problem would have cost if done by the dealer shop.
Smilinjak

Yes, the manual specifies a range; I myself wouldn't do it willy nilly; the steering boxes are freaking expensive. My suggestion is to start there and see if it is out of spec. If you do get a chance to check the pressure let me know where you sourced the test equipment so I can test mine even if I install a new box.

 

[smilinjak]

Yes, the manual specifies a range; I myself wouldn't do it willy nilly; the steering boxes are freaking expensive. My suggestion is to start there and see if it is out of spec. If you do get a chance to check the pressure let me know where you sourced the test equipment so I can test mine even if I install a new box.

Northern Tool has liquid filled 5000 psi pressure guages and the necessary hose and connectors to make up a test guage. Many other sources as well. You can make the test setup for under $30.00. There is a thread on the forum somewhere that gives all the details.
Smilinjak

 

[roadracer86]

Northern Tool has liquid filled 5000 psi pressure guages and the necessary hose and connectors to make up a test guage. Many other sources as well. You can make the test setup for under $30.00. There is a thread on the forum somewhere that gives all the details.
Smilinjak

Awesome thanks, probably not a bad set up to have in the tool box.

 

[ultrarunner]

My BX pressure was just under the minimum when I checked at 300 hours... one shim bumped it up to just under the high limit and very noticeable improved loader lift capacity.

Also following this thread because are L3800 has 160 hours and so far so good...

 

[roadracer86]

One of my complaints for my L3800 is lack of backhoe and front end loader hydraulic power. I expected more out of this machine when I bought it new. Maybe my hydraulic pump is set low s well? I do know that some people had sizable gains out of their machines and Kubota sets them on the very conservative side pressure wise. I'll have to investigate this more once I get my steering box straightened out. So far nobody from Kubota has made an effort to contact me after I spoke with the warranty administrator at my dealership. I'll give them a week and keep pestering them until I get a response.

What gets me and is very troublesome is that I work for a large auto manufacturer and we have a customer support line you can call; Kubota has nothing. Sort of tells me they are not concerned with speaking to their customers and THAT I think is disrespectful.

 

[Navasot]

Cylinders can go bad without leaking any fluid and just bypass internally. If it infact has also gotten week compared to when it was new it may need to be rebuilt