3520 Steering

[317140]

I just got a call from my John Deere Dealer about my 3520 Compact Tractor. I took it in on Friday for them to fix an issue with the power steering. They called this morning to tell me that the steering valve was faulty. It will need to be replaced at a cost of 1600.00 dollars. I was somewhat taken aback at the extreme cost. The tractor only has 512 hrs. on it. The Hydro fluids have been changed twice. Once at 100 hrs, and again at 500 hrs. I am very meticulous about service and use only John Deere Service Parts. I am wondering if anyone has had any similar problems. The reason I ask is the Service Technician said they had a different tractor in the shop with the same problem, but it was very unusual. I was thinking of talking to a factory rep for their input, or would that be a waste of time. These are the kind of repairs that I had hoped to avoid by buying a quality new tractor. Any suggestions appreciated

 

[ORCM]

How old is your tractor?

 

[Wnc3]

Talk to the rep and plead your case. Many times a good service manager will go to bat for you and at least get you some compensation. Get you salesman involved as well.
Just be nice and persistent.

 

[Jdman4x20]

What was the original complaint with the steering? Was it stiff or weak?

 

[foggy1111]

There are things you just don't expect to have expensive problems with. Power steering is one of those things.

 

[Oldtractorfixer]

It's frustrating when you have a late model, quality branded, well maintained piece of equipment that is just out of warranty and needs a repair equal to 10% of the price of the equipment. I hope you get some help from JD.

 

[317140]

I drove in to my dealer yesterday to talk to them about my tractor and the service adviser asked if I had gotten his message. I told him I had been out and had missed his call. I was about to ask about seeing a JD Rep and talk to them about my tractor. It seems the shop foreman had checked the pressures from the power steering pump and had found them to be out of spec. I had told him about the problems I had with it. The steering would get increasingly hard and the tilt wheel would unlock and the steering wheel would fall down in my lap. He told me I must have 2 separate problems because one wouldn't cause the other. He told me he couldn't replicate the problem. So they ordered the parts to replace the pump. The day before yesterday the shop foreman went out to pull my tractor inside to start the tear down. As he started to move the tractor he said the steering started to act strange and the tilt wheel unlocked allowing the steering wheel to fall down in his lap. At this point they got the tractor inside and removed the boot around the steering column. As 2 mechanics looked on they rotated the steering wheel and finally found that the gasket around the steering shaft was locking to the shaft and binding it as it tried to turn. After they pulled the steering wheel and lubed the gasket with never seize the problem was immediately solved. So I didn't get to use my diplomatic skills after all. A 1600 dollar repair turns into a 175.00 repair, a little high still in my opinion but I learned not to look a gift horse in the mouth. One more little tidbit to share, the shop foreman said that the gasket looked to have been binding for a long time, probably from a bad install from the factory but It would be hard to get John Deere to admit it. Just thought I would write this long post to help if anyone has a similar problem. Thanks for the good advice.

 

[Jdman4x20]

I drove in to my dealer yesterday to talk to them about my tractor and the service adviser asked if I had gotten his message. I told him I had been out and had missed his call. I was about to ask about seeing a JD Rep and talk to them about my tractor. It seems the shop foreman had checked the pressures from the power steering pump and had found them to be out of spec. I had told him about the problems I had with it. The steering would get increasingly hard and the tilt wheel would unlock and the steering wheel would fall down in my lap. He told me I must have 2 separate problems because one wouldn't cause the other. He told me he couldn't replicate the problem. So they ordered the parts to replace the pump. The day before yesterday the shop foreman went out to pull my tractor inside to start the tear down. As he started to move the tractor he said the steering started to act strange and the tilt wheel unlocked allowing the steering wheel to fall down in his lap. At this point they got the tractor inside and removed the boot around the steering column. As 2 mechanics looked on they rotated the steering wheel and finally found that the gasket around the steering shaft was locking to the shaft and binding it as it tried to turn. After they pulled the steering wheel and lubed the gasket with never seize the problem was immediately solved. So I didn't get to use my diplomatic skills after all. A 1600 dollar repair turns into a 175.00 repair, a little high still in my opinion but I learned not to look a gift horse in the mouth. One more little tidbit to share, the shop foreman said that the gasket looked to have been binding for a long time, probably from a bad install from the factory but It would be hard to get John Deere to admit it. Just thought I would write this long post to help if anyone has a similar problem. Thanks for the good advice.

Glad to here that you tractor fixed. It does seem expensive 175.00 to lube the steering shaft.

 

[Spindifferent]

What year model is your 3520?

I have a 3520 model year 2005 with 530 hours on it. No issues so far.

Thanks,

Spindifferent

 

[317140]

My 3520 is a 2007 model. This is the first time that it has needed service from a dealer. The dealer that I bought it from was so bad that I refuse to do any further business with him. I would have probably fixed it myself, but after talking with the shop foreman I knew that I had no way to check pump pressures and flow. I figured it would be better for them to check and find the problem. I guess the high price was the time they spent checking the pressure and flow at the pump.I know that they did this because of the hydro fluid all over the side of the engine and the hood. I spent an hour or so getting it all off. I seem to typically have problems that are outside the normal realm. Its not usually something simple and straight forward. Oh well that's a topic for another day. Just glad it is fixed and didn't break the budget, just cracked it a bit.