So frustrated with 4310 steering hose

Tractors4u · May 18, 2008

The other day I noticed I was loosing hydro fluid around the front axle. I parked my 4310 and there was so much fluid I couldn't tell where it was coming from. Been busy the last few days, so yesterday I pulled the side panels to let some light in and I found it was one of the hoses that feed the cylinder for the power steering. I thought this would be easy until this afternoon. I couldn't get to the connection for the hose because it is in such a tight spot. If you are looking at the front of the tractor, it is located to the right and below the pully on the end of the crank shaft. I had to take the radiator off and I still can get the thing out. There just isn't enough room to turn a wrench in there. I am so frustrated right now that I am contemplating just dragging the thing onto my trailer and taking it to the dealer. What is probably a $10 hose has caused me more anguish than any other tractor repair job. If anyone has any ideas, I am all ears.

kennyd · May 18, 2008

I can't help you at all unless you want to buy me a plane ticket

Maybe you should at least call your dealer and see if you can talk to a mechanic?

shot_gun · May 18, 2008

Snapon angle wrench? Crows foot wrench? Take a wrench you don't care about and bend it? Separate the cylinder from the axle? just guessing.

Tractors4u · May 19, 2008

Believe me I have considered all of those options. Even with an angled wrench, etc, the fitting moves side to side enough to take up any slack you gain by a special tool. I think I am gonna put it back together and just drag it up on to the trailer and take it to the shop tomorrow. I have some choirs that need to get down and I just don't have time to experiment.

Tractors4u · May 26, 2008

Just wanted to let everyone know that I sucked it up and took my tractor to the dealer and had them replace the hose. I had to pay $166 for parts and labor, and it was worth every penny.

AKfish · May 26, 2008

As they say --- "ya gotta recognize that sometime discretion is the better of valor..."

You figured it wasn't worth the bloody forehead hittin' on the garage floor; and $166 is a reasonable enough price to pay for not havin' to take all those Advil's!!

By the way; did you ask the shop guys just how they tackled that job -- what's the trick with gettin' in there and disconnecting the old hose and puttin' a new one on?

AKfish