Kubota L2350 Sudden loss of Power Steering

[chemosavi]

My Kubota L2350 lost all power steering @500 hrs. Turned it back and forth while going slow and regained some power. Tried turning all the way both ways to bleed any air and shutting off as per service manual. No better.
Seemed as though power steering was getting no hydraulics at all so I removed the priority valve to inspect for stuck spring. Nothing wrong.
Now I assume I either have a bad (weak) hydraulic pump or something wrong in the steering mechanism. Have not inspected the transmission filter or replaced the trans oil. The power steering runs off one hydraulic pump with a priority valve that prioritizes the flow to the power steering before going to the [front loader]. Front loader works as if nothing is wrong.

Note. I think an after factory block was added (@ 40 hrs) to the priority valve to better direct the flow of hydraulics to the front loader.

I live on an island so fixing it myself is a priority.

Any help appreciated.

 

[chemosavi]

"I had the same problem on my 3130. It was the center seal on the steering cylinder."

Did you fix it yourself? Some say the steering cylinder is better left to the pros. It does not look like a nice day in a Thai massage parlor to me. Thanks

 

[chemosavi]

So no thoughts? Someone else must have had this happen.

 

[cannonfodder999]

Mine will turn left but not right. I'm thinking it has to be the controller.

 

[cannonfodder999]

Broken piston rod end.

 

[camer]

I changed the seal myself. Wasn't that hard just takes a while to get the cylinder off the tractor. Heat the new seal in oil so it goes on easier.





'

 

[cannonfodder999]

I changed the seal myself. Wasn't that hard just takes a while to get the cylinder off the tractor. Heat the new seal in oil so it goes on easier. '

I usually do everything myself but for $100 to fix the rod end as well as rebush it and rebuild the cylinder not likely.





'[/QUOTE]

 

[chemosavi]

Not sure about the broken piston rod. It still turns but it's very stiff. Like the hydraulics are doing something but not near as much as they should be doing.

Camer, as far as the seal goes, are you referring to the one in the middle of the steering column where the top splits from the bottom?

Getting this tractor on a trailer to the dealer and back is most likely going to set me back $400 before any work even gets done. Trailer rental, ferry fees, etc.

 

[chemosavi]

Finally dove in and removed the steering column and disassembled it with the help of a great local mechanic. Not nearly as complicated as one would have been led to believe from the service manual. Discovered the bottom cap on the whole thing was badly out of true. And the snap ring to hold it in place had broken.

Cause?

I believe water had somehow found its way there and once frozen, bent the cap and caused the snap ring to break. Also the O-Ring was badly frayed.

A small amount of oil had escaped and leaked into the clutch which is not good at all. Trying to figure out how to get that cleaned out without splitting the tractor but very optimistic that it will be fixed with new o-rings and a new cap.

 

[chemosavi]

Now that I have seen what my local Kubota Dealer, Sholten's Equipment in Washington State, did to repair the exact same problem 15 years ago and charged me $2500 to do so when still under warranty, I am absolutely livid with anger.

Apparently, the power steering in the L2350 was an add-on and the casing was modified by Kubota to fit the tractor. A very thin membrane of metal is all that separates the bottom snap ring on the steering cylinder from 1500 lbs of hydraulic pressure. Hence it blew off twice in my case which causes oil to enter the bell housing and clutch and destroy it. To repair it the first time the local Kubota mechanic hammered some dents into the housing hoping it would prevent the snap ring from blowing out. This remedy most likely occurring after trying a new snap ring and having IT blow out as it did for me. Well, it worked for awhile but not past 500 hrs. AND, at the time, 450 hours ago, charging me $2500 (still under warranty) for splitting the tractor after THEY destroyed the clutch. I spot welded my snap ring in place to prevent it from ever happening again. Any Kubota mechanics that have worked on the steering for this tractor will know exactly what I am talking about. A recall should have issued.

So, avoid Sholten's Equipment in Washington state whatever you do! I have a local friend with another piece of equipment purchased from Sholten's with a similar warranty/recall horror story but he is out $10,000 and not the $900 it cost for me to fix mine.