Texas Tale

[StanDA]

Just got (almost) finished with the power steering hoses on my Ford 1920 and thought I'd share some insights from Texas.

 

[Bird]

Glad to have you join us.

 

[StanDA]

I had to put hydraulic fluid in to get the tractor to my shop. Then I tried to see where the leaks were. The dang hoses are centered under the front end and are near impossible to see. I did mop up fluid only for more to appear. I pondered for a while and decided I could fix this problem but I needed to be able to put a wrench on it. I disconnected the battery and removed it. I drained the radiator as I took the hood off. I also took the front cowling off, the battery tray and the the radiator. I could not find an article about how the hose should come off or the sequence so it was going to be a guessing game. Facing the tractor and the steering tubing on the left take the flared nut loose. Be sure to back it up with another wrench so the portion on the right doesn't turn. I wrapped the loose fittings in paper towels to keep them clean and also to absorb some of the dripping fluid. Next is the nut on the left of the frame. Again back it up with a wrench on the right side of the frame. Take the nut completely off. Now your hoses are loose on one end. Pull them free of the frame. Under the tractor is the pivot point where the cylinder is held in place. Loosen the 2 bolts and then move to the wheel and loosen the other end of the ps arm. Don't take it off yet. Back under the tractor take the 2 bolts out of the pivot point and pull it free of the housing. Take the nut off the extended arm and you can then pull the hoses and cylinder from under the tractor. I took the assembly to the workbench and then took the hoses loose from the cylinder. The fittings are BRITISH STANDARD ! Don't confuse them with metric or American standard fittings. I searched around in central Texas and found a hydraulic shop. They made me 2 new hoses for a total of $56. BEFORE you leave the shop with your new hoses be sure to blow thru them and make sure they are clear.
I put the new hoses onto the cylinder and precharged them by putting 3 inches of new fluid into a pan and then draped the tips of the hoses into the fluid. I pushed and pulled on the arm and got the air out. And then it's just all in reverse. Thread the new hoses (cover the tips) up thru the area and then attach the arm onto the wheel. Leave it loose so you have some give at the pivot. Raise the pivot covering and snug it into place and insert the bolts. Put the hose end fitting through the frame and start the nut. Start the flare nut now while you have some slack that will allow a better alignment. Then tighten everything down. On my tool tray I had standard and metric wrenched and sockets. Sometimes it took both to get the job done. Be sure the check the fluid level a couple of times. After you have it running turn left then right to purge any air.
Good Luck!

 

[creekbend]

Thanks for posting. Welcome aboard.

 

[mguitas]

:welcome:

 

[MIKE R]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[MIKE R]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Bob77064]

Welcome

 

[stingray1]

Welcome.

 

[NativeSon]

A Big Texas Howdy from East Texas. Welcome aboard.

Charlie