YM1700 Hard Steering

[SailorBob]

My 1700 is getting hard to steer. It steers fine but the wheel has a lot of resistance. I greased all of fittings but it did not seem to help much. Does anyone have any ideas what the problem might be? It’s like the old saying about power steering. It takes all the power I have to steer it.

 

[FleetMan]

Have you jacked up the front end to get the tires off the ground and tried turning the steering wheel? That may help you isolate the source of the binding.

 

[careyo63]

Water in the steering column and Steering gear box would be a good one. If it has been in there awhile it will rust and then it would be hard to turn. Esp. on a 1700. There's not much to get it in a bind on the front end. No mention of a Loader so that's were I would look hard at.

 

[SailorBob]

No loader. I will jack up the front end and check that first if the weather ever clears. I’ve never been a steering box before. I have the shop on CD somewhere if I can find it...

 

[SailorBob]

Manual that is. I bought if from Hoye a long time ago

 

[SailorBob]

I finally got around to jacking up the front end. Just as much resistance off the ground. I ran out of time or I would have disconnected the Pittman arm but I suspect the problem is in the steering box. Does anyone know if there is a drain on them. I would like to drain the box and put fresh oil in it.

Hoye sells the steering box for $400. I cannot afford that right now. I have recently retired. Looking at the parts diagram there appears to be a plug in the top to add oil. I would have to remove the fuel tank to get to it if that is the case.

I removed the tank a long time ago when I rebuilt the engine. I’m no as wrenchy as I used to be.

Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[winston1]

Might watch Aarons videos on the steering for some insight. How-to Video Section

 

[clemsonfor]

There is no drain in the box. I would pull the top and flush with diesel. Suck out all of it that you can then blow the rest out stuffing rags around the top. Then fill with fresh oil. This would be after you fixed the bearings or whatever was making it hard to turn.

 

[duanew1]

I would really recommend talking it out and taking it apart. Mine was filled with grease. I cleaned out the grease with diesel fuel in a bucket and put it back together with new seals and gear oil.

 

[SailorBob]

It looks like I’ll be pulling the steering box. I can decide whether to order the rebuild kit or the whole assembly after I see the what I have when I get it apart.

 

[clemsonfor]

That's the best thing to do.

 

[tre873]

On my 2310D, I pulled the gearbox about 3 weeks after buying the tractor. I was brush hogging the field when I heard a pop and then couldn't turn one direction (don't remember if it was right or left). After taking the gearbox apart, I found the upper bearing was rusted and had disintegrated. I cleaned the gearbox and replaced both bearings. I filled the gearbox with 90w oil through the steering column. Now the steering is much easier in both directions.

 

[careyo63]

I would pull it. Finally looked at mine and then it assured me that was the case. Allen wrench plug that's really small. And your going to have to remove the tank anyways then even to get to it. So if your steering wheel comes off the you pretty much have it removed. And then clean it out good. Haven't broke it so that's a good thing..........

 

[normde2001]

Is there a lot of play, 2" or more, in the wheel. If not, it may just need lube. I would first try filling with 90wt and working, before disassembling.

 

[careyo63]

Plays not the problem yet. Soak it good. If you get it loosened and free it up your most likely be alright . Just be easy as you can. But hey Loose is better than none or locked up!! Flush it and blow it out. Get as much debris as you can out............ 400.00$ Ouch!! That's 1/5 of what I paid for my 2000.

 

[SailorBob]

Norm and Carey that is what I hope. It turns okay and there is no grinding or noise. It has full range of motion just tight to turn.

For anyone that has removed it did you have to remove the dashboard to get it out. It looks like if I remove the steering wheel I can fanagle it out the bottom.

 

[tre873]

I had to remove the dash and fuel tank on mine. I thought I could sneak it out, but it sticks down in a recess quite far. I wasn't able to take the top steering shaft and tube off of mine until it was on the bench. The steering tube was basically a press fit due to someone else jacking with it. There are shims between the tube and steering box to set the bearing preload. Make sure you don't loose them or the preload won't be correct and the steering will be really tight. Keep in mind this was on a 2310D and it could be different on yours.

 

[clemsonfor]

I was thinking I read someone say that on a ym240/2000 you could get it out without taking the dash off. But I really don't know, nor have I messed with mine.

 

[careyo63]

Unbolt it and that should give you plenty of play is what I thought. And looks to be true on a 2000. Maybe a B you need to remove it...?

 

[SailorBob]

My plan was to remove it so that I could get oil in it and make that there is no water in it. Is there a way to do that another way? I was looking at the parts diagram and there appears to be a plug on the top of the box. I may be able to get to it by removing the fuel tank.