Power Steering option for MF165

daydk1 · Aug 3, 2015

Hi all. I just picked up a 1970 MF165 with Continental Gas engine. It does not have power steering and I am wondering if it is possible to add power steering to this tractor. If so, how difficult and expensive is it?

Also, it seems the brakes may not be what they should be. I can literally stand on the brake pedals and it's all it will do to bring the tractor to a complete stop. There's pedal, but it just seems that there's no stopping power. Any ideas on what this might be?

flusher · Aug 3, 2015

Here's one PS kit

MF 165 - 175 - 178 - 265 - 185 POWER STEERING CONVERSION KITS

The steering on the 135, 150 and 165 tractors has "power assisted" steering built into the steering column. Which is not true "power steering". These after market kits use a large hydraulic cylinder attached to the front axle to give true power steering.

Brakes: first try to adjust the brake pedal linkage. TractorData.com says the 165 brakes are "mechanical dry disc" type. The brakes are located near the differential case on the 165 (on my 1964 MF135 diesel, the brakes are located on the ends of the axles near the wheels). If the brake linings have oil contamination that may be why there's no stopping power.

Good luck

Dieseltech · Aug 3, 2015

That's strange, I've never seen a 165 without power steering. At least the dealer I worked for never sold any without it. The pump will be in front of the distributor if it has it. There are link ends and pins that when worn will not activate the steering cylinder when it should. I'll bet the brakes have oil on them from leaking seals, usually the diff plate seal leaks, but the inner wheel planetary can leak too.

daydk1 · Aug 4, 2015

Dieseltech said:
That's strange, I've never seen a 165 without power steering. At least the dealer I worked for never sold any without it. The pump will be in front of the distributor if it has it. There are link ends and pins that when worn will not activate the steering cylinder when it should. I'll bet the brakes have oil on them from leaking seals, usually the diff plate seal leaks, but the inner wheel planetary can leak too.

Thanks. According to TractorData.com, the MF165 came with power assist, which is not true power steering. I'm guessing it was probably a lot easier to steer when it was new. I'm just wondering if it is possible to put power steering on the tractor. I see kits on ebay for between $500-$600 that say they are for this tractor. I just wanted to know if this is possible and if it will work before I shell out that kind of cash.

What is the remedy for the brakes if they do have oil on them? How do you correct that problem? Thanks for your reply.

flusher · Aug 4, 2015

daydk1 said:
Thanks. According to TractorData.com, the MF165 came with power assist, which is not true power steering. I'm guessing it was probably a lot easier to steer when it was new. I'm just wondering if it is possible to put power steering on the tractor. I see kits on ebay for between $500-$600 that say they are for this tractor. I just wanted to know if this is possible and if it will work before I shell out that kind of cash.

What is the remedy for the brakes if they do have oil on them? How do you correct that problem? Thanks for your reply.

Power steering kit: don't know why it wouldn't work.
Brake: check to see if there's an access hole that will allow you to see the brake linings. If the linings are oiled up, you'll have to do two things: find out where the oil leak is and fix the seal; and then install new brake components.

All the old tractors I had in my collection needed brake jobs when I bought them (1945 Oliver 60, 1948 Farmall Cub, 1949 JD B, 1951 Minneapolis Moline BF, 1951 Farmall A). The exception was the 1964 MF135 diesel which had decent brakes from the git go.

Good luck

CalG · Aug 4, 2015

flusher said:
Here's one PS kit

MF 165 - 175 - 178 - 265 - 185 POWER STEERING CONVERSION KITS

The steering on the 135, 150 and 165 tractors has "power assisted" steering built into the steering column. Which is not true "power steering". These after market kits use a large hydraulic cylinder attached to the front axle to give true power steering.

Brakes: first try to adjust the brake pedal linkage. TractorData.com says the 165 brakes are "mechanical dry disc" type. The brakes are located near the differential case on the 165 (on my 1964 MF135 diesel, the brakes are located on the ends of the axles near the wheels). If the brake linings have oil contamination that may be why there's no stopping power.

Good luck

You will need some luck getting a response from that link. I've never been able to get anything from them. Not even a wink.

Dieseltech · Aug 4, 2015

For the brakes, if there's oil on the discs the axles need to come off at the differential case, seals replaced and the discs may need replaced too. May also need the actuating units while apart, sometimes the new discs will lock up if the old units are reused. The brakes must be dry..