What is a test for Steering rams mid seal failure?

CHARLES W FLORENCE · Oct 21, 2021

My steering wheel has a jerking motion as if low on fluid , but the fluid level is good . Could this possibly be that the internal seal on the ram rod has failed and letting the fluid bypass the seal? How could I check is that is the problem? Thanks Charles W Florence

Richard · Oct 21, 2021

I don't know how you'd specifically test for that.....are all other hydraulic items working properly and the steering is the only issue? (that might be your test!)

I had that happen to my backhoe. If I raised the wheels off the ground, I could pretty easily turn wheel. If I was driving somewhere it got jerky and acted like it was fighting back to me.

New seals inside (not expensive) and problem is fixed. Seals have my vote, given your description.

dodge man · Oct 21, 2021

I had a Kubota the seal was going bad on. On mine the steering would not respond, then as you started to panic and turn the wheel quicker, it woukd turn.

CHARLES W FLORENCE · Oct 26, 2021

Thanks for your responses . I have now changed the filter and hoped that might be the problem. However, even though this stoped the problem until the tractor and bush hog were used about an hour . The bush hog stated to drag down after the tractor wormed up. I am puzzled that this will only happen after a short time of use. Could I possibly need to change the filter again. I hop thi is not the hydraulic pump. The fact that it works well until it worms up offers some hope.Your thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Charles W. Florence

CHARLES W FLORENCE · Oct 26, 2021

Richard said:
I don't know how you'd specifically test for that.....are all other hydraulic items working properly and the steering is the only issue? (that might be your test!)

I had that happen to my backhoe. If I raised the wheels off the ground, I could pretty easily turn wheel. If I was driving somewhere it got jerky and acted like it was fighting back to me.

New seals inside (not expensive) and problem is fixed. Seals have my vote, given your description.

Thanks for your responses . I have now changed the filter and hoped that might be the problem. However, even though this stoped the problem until the tractor and bush hog were used about an hour . The bush hog stated to drag down after the tractor wormed up. I am puzzled that this will only happen after a short time of use. Could I possibly need to change the filter again. I hop thi is not the hydraulic pump. The fact that it works well until it worms up offers some hope.Your thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Charles W. Florence

CHARLES W FLORENCE · Oct 26, 2021

dodge man said:
I had a Kubota the seal was going bad on. On mine the steering would not respond, then as you started to panic and turn the wheel quicker, it woukd turn.

Thanks for your responses . I have now changed the filter and hoped that might be the problem. However, even though this stoped the problem until the tractor and bush hog were used about an hour . The bush hog stated to drag down after the tractor wormed up. I am puzzled that this will only happen after a short time of use. Could I possibly need to change the filter again. I hop thi is not the hydraulic pump. The fact that it works well until it worms up offers some hope.Your thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Charles W. Florence

dodge man · Oct 26, 2021

I’m not familiar with your tractor but is there a screen that needs cleaned also? Mine has a screen with magnets in it that needs cleaned with a hydraulic filter change also.

CHARLES W FLORENCE · Oct 26, 2021

dodge man said:
I’m not familiar with your tractor but is there a screen that needs cleaned also? Mine has a screen with magnets in it that needs cleaned with a hydraulic filter change also.

Yes it does have a screen. I have tried to remove it, but it will not budge. I talked with the J. Deere Dealer tech. and he assured me it could be removed. I put so much pressure on it that I was worried that it would break. I decided that I should not continue . I looked it over as best I could and it appeared to to be clean. I knew if the screen broke that I would have another more serious problem.I know the screen can be removed but apparently does not pull out after the holding bolts are removed. Something inside is holding it but I could not figure out how to make it let go.

CHARLES W FLORENCE · Oct 26, 2021

dodge man said:
I’m not familiar with your tractor but is there a screen that needs cleaned also? Mine has a screen with magnets in it that needs cleaned with a hydraulic filter change also.

Yes it does have a screen. I have tried to remove it, but it will not budge. I talked with the J. Deere Dealer tech. and he assured me it could be removed. I put so much pressure on it that I was worried that it would break. I decided that I should not continue . I looked it over as best I could and it appeared to to be clean. I knew if the screen broke that I would have another more serious problem.I know the screen can be removed but apparently does not pull out after the holding bolts are removed. Something inside is holding it but I could not figure out how to make it let go.