Steering problem with JD990

[pd444]

I had the wheel almost all the way into a full right-hand turn when I stopped to chat with someone. When I powered up again, I can not turn the wheel to the left. It will turn the rest of the way to the right and then back to the "starting point", but that's it. As it is we're talking less than 10 degrees of wheel movement.

Hydraulic hoses going to assembly attached to the right wheel both seem to flow properly when disconnected and the wheel turned. Fluid level was low and has since been filled and all hydraulics have been exercised a few times with no change in performance.

Can't even retire it to NASCAR since it's stuck in a right-hand only turn!

Thanks for your help!

paul

 

[AKfish]

Well... that would twist my tail!

What happens if you lift the front end off the ground with the FEL (you do have a front end loader, yes?).

AKfish

 

[pd444]

same movement. And the movement is very fluid whether on the ground or using the FEL to jack it up, not like I have to fight to get it to move...but once it gets to that sour spot it stops moving. Lubed all the obvious points today and still no luck.

 

[AKfish]

Hmm... So, you added hyd fluid and worked all the other hyd functions --- loader, 3pt and steering. Everything else checks out OK but the steering?

Sounds like the hoses are OK and the steering cylinder isn't blowing fluid?

Disconnect the rod end of the cylinder from the drag-link (tractor engine off) and restart tractor. Turn the wheel left and right. See if the rod end moves back and forth the complete distance.

If it does and it obviously won't under load; I'd guess that you've got internal leaking within the cylinder. Might be time for a rebuild...

Keep us in the know. Good luck.

AKfish

 

[kennyd]

I would lean towards a cylinder problem also, perhaps the internal seals gave up.

Is the cylinder extended or retracted when the wheels are turned to the right? I have a test you can do to test the seals... but need to know its position now.

 

[jd110]

If the steering wheel won't turn, then I doubt the seals are bad. If oil was bypassing the seals, then the wheel should turn with no movement of tires. Does the hydraulics make noise when it stops? If the cylinder or other steering linkage were binding, you should hear a hissing noise the same as when you hold the wheel to an extreme left or right turn. I am guessing a mechanical problem inside of the steering valve. You might try raising the front end off the ground, then unhook the hoses going to the steering cylinder. You should then be able to grab one of the front wheels and turn it side to side by hand. Some oil will be pushed out of the cylinder when you do this. Then you could stick the loose ends of hoses into a bucket and see if the steering wheel will turn with the hoses off. If it still won't turn, then the problem is in the steering valve.

 

[Bodgit2]

This can happen if the hydraulics are short circuited by a disconnected power beyond line or 3 point hitch stuck all the way up. try to check all other hydraulic functions including the loader.

 

[kennyd]

This can happen if the hydraulics are short circuited by a disconnected power beyond line or 3 point hitch stuck all the way up. try to check all other hydraulic functions including the loader.

While true in some cases, these machines have separate pumps and relief valves for the steering circuit.

 

[pd444]

AKfish-- steering cylinder isn't blowing fluid. Got too dark by the time I got home and I've got tomorrow morning off so I held off your suggestion of disconnecting the cylinder.

kennyd-- turned to the left-- pic 3336. And turned to the right-- pic 3337

jd110-- hydraulics make the same noise whether the wheel is turned to the extreme right or abbreviated left...which is the same noise they always make when turned to the extremes. Again, what little play the wheel has it turns as easy as always. Put it on stands and disconnected the hoses to the steering cylinder. Could not budge the wheels. Steering wheel turns while these hoses are disconnected and spits out fluid from the appropriate hose depending on which way you turn the wheel.

Thank all you guys for thinking about this. --pd

 

[kennyd]

If you could not move the wheels with the hoses off, then my bet is the cylinder is toast. perhaps the gland nut loosened and the seals are cocked sideways.

Take one end of the cylinder off, or just take it all the way off...and make sure you don't have a mechanical problem like a bent or binding ball joint. If all is free, you need to crack the cylinder open or take it to a hydraulic shop for a re-build.