HELP with Ford 4000 power steering!

[smaijala]

Okay, I'll try and avoid the frustrating details, but am at my wits end. I have a 71 model ford 4000 3 cylinder gas with power steering. PS cylinder was leaking terrible. Using about a quart per hour so it was time to fix. After weeks of searching, finally decided to go with reman cylinder. Got the cylinder and it leaked worse than the original one, but was able to replace the seals and got the leak stopped. Unger tractor parts has been great to work with so far and reimbursed me for parts and labor for that part. New cylinder on, but no steering yet. Was told by my mechanic with 60 years experience that pump was shot. Ordered salvage pump but still won't work. What am I missing? Cylinder is the one with valve built into the rear of the cylinder (C5NN3A540C ). Should I burn this thing to the ground or wait for another suggestion. got any thoughts?

 

[TractorTech]

Did you overhaul the valve section of the cylinder? Did you have power steering before you repaired the leak?
Also, is there oil in the manual gearbox on the steering column? I had one that was so dry that it was difficult to turn and the power steering cylinder could not assist enough to overcome. Once oil was added to the gearbox, it worked great.

 

[smaijala]

Supposedly, the cylinder was completely rebuilt but I didn't do it. I bought the cylinder remanned. I did have PS before, just a terrible leak, that's why I questioned the pump replacement but I really trust my mech. He's been working on these things longer than I've been on the planet. He thinks it's something wrong with the cylinder still. Supposed to be professionally rebuilt, but already had to replace the seals on the "ram " side. They leaked worse than the original cylinder and we're hard as a rock. Original cylinder was leaking at the valve body inside the cyl. Also, not sure where to look for a manual gear box oil level?

 

[City Farmer]

Before I went any further I'd put a gauge on the ps pump pressure side and see what you have. I don't have my book in front of me (600-800psi or so?) start the tractor only long enough to see what the pressure is and work down stream from there.

 

[TractorTech]

Like City Farmer said, you need to check the pressure on the pump. 1100 +/- psi is what it calls for.
The fill/check plug is on top of the gearbox, impossible to get to, but basically you need about 1.5 to 2" of gear oil.
On to the cylinder. If the pressure is good, and I assume it probably is because you had steering before, it sounds like you need to overhaul the valve portion of the cylinder. It sounds to me that the "reman" was probably a paint job. Make sure your ball joint attached to the pitman arm is secure and not wobbling in the arm. It is this ball that opens and closes the steering valve in the cylinder assembly.
If you want the overhaul procedure, give me your email.

 

[smaijala]

Like City Farmer said, you need to check the pressure on the pump. 1100 +/- psi is what it calls for.
The fill/check plug is on top of the gearbox, impossible to get to, but basically you need about 1.5 to 2" of gear oil.
On to the cylinder. If the pressure is good, and I assume it probably is because you had steering before, it sounds like you need to overhaul the valve portion of the cylinder. It sounds to me that the "reman" was probably a paint job. Make sure your ball joint attached to the pitman arm is secure and not wobbling in the arm. It is this ball that opens and closes the steering valve in the cylinder assembly.
If you want the overhaul procedure, give me your email.

Thanks for the info, gear box is full and pitman nut is tight. Put another salvage cylinder on, but still very difficult to steer, even with the front end off the ground. I have found a hydraulics shop that said they would try the rebuild, so if you had the rebild procedure, I would gladly take it. My email is srmaijala@gmail.com. thanks and will let ya know what happens!

 

[smaijala]

Should have also indicated that I'm not sure how to test the pressure, and the replacement pump was new, not a salvaged one

 

[TractorTech]

On a 4000 power steering pump, because the relief valve is in the pump, you can adapt a 2000 or 3000 psi gauge to the outlet of the pump. Crank the engine over 5 - 8 times with the kill cable off. You should get a pressure reading of about 1100 psi +/- by 50 psi. The output line is the one coming from the front down along the side.

I will get you the steering valve info. in a day or two.

 

[daninnm]

I don't want to co-op your thread but can you give me any names of shops that can R&R my power steering unit (Ford 4000 4 cyl gas w/ power steering)- seems the steering wheel will turn 30 degrees either way before the pitman arms start moving......when turning the front wheels wobble badly though the spindle seem reasonably tight..... I'd rather someone else work on it than me - I'll do the in and out but not the R&R LOL I'll ship it whereever from NM.