Ford 4400 power steering cylinder

f4400 · Sep 9, 2013

The power steering cylinder on my Ford 4400 is tucked up inside the front frame, under the radiator and has sprung some sort of a leak. With the front end loader on, I can't see enough in there to tell what is going on. Does anybody know the best way to get to that cylinder? It looks like I'll either have to take off the front end loader or drop the front axle. Neither of which looks like an easy task.

richwilshaw · Jan 6, 2014

when i did mine i had to remove the hood, front grill assembly, radiator, fan, fan belt etc

then the fun started, i had to torch out the main cylinder pin

hope this helps and good luck

f4400 · Jan 6, 2014

I decided there are plenty of things I know how to do I'm not getting to.

I took it in to the dealer and they did what you did to get to it. I think they had better luck getting the cylinder out, though. We're also replacing the hydraulic pump while it's torn apart.

Thanks for replying.

5083Guy · Jan 8, 2014

Yeah its a stupid design putting the power steering cylinder below the radiator... I had a fun time as well doing what rich did. But I thankfully did not need a torch.

But the stupid thing now doesn't want to turn to the left... Makes right turns just fine but if you wanna turn left its a pain in the butt. I really don't wanna tear the stupid thing apart again....

richwilshaw · Jan 8, 2014

I forgot to mention when i did mine i also had to replace the hydraulic hub coupler, hydraulic pump and drive shaft. The hub coupler needed replacing anyway on mine.

I had a tough time getting mine to turn left or right using the adjusting screw, finally i just backed out the adjusting screw and it worked great

I still need to rebuild the cylinder because the ram has a large rust spot where the previous owner had left it sitting in a pasture for about five years after the fuel pump gave out. The cylinder and pump leaks quite a lot so i think i will rebuild the cylinder and install one of the newer style pumps with the reservoir built in.

City Farmer · Jan 9, 2014

This is the best fix for your problem and never worry about it again. I priced out fixing and replacing all the broken/ worn out parts and its not worth it. The front end is completely shot on my 4400 and I'm fixing it like Davo727 did. I just received the steering valve and now I'm waiting on the ram cylinder. Hopefully now that the holidays are behind us I'll get it all back together in the next few weeks. I'll post a video of it in action when its all finished.
http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=211740

farquhar · Sep 8, 2014

I'm tearing down my 4400 Ford for the second time in a year. To say it's design, when equipped with a loader, is rather screwed up, is an understatement. I had the main cylinder rebuilt, not paying attention to the smaller control cylinder attached to the main cylinder. When the small cylinder started leaking a week ago, I bought repair parts from a dealer. One nylon bushing about 3/4 of an inch in diameter....$30 bucks. And a year ago, I torched the bolt that holds the cylinder through the frame....$100 bucks. DO NOT destroy any parts while removing them. Take the extra time and unbolt them.