310B Power Steering

[RGV hay]

The power steering on my 1958 310B Gas Utility has been working fine, then last week I noticed some seepage from the outer sleeve on the power steering cylinder/valve. I cleaned, then 'bench' disassembled the valve/spool; took the valve housing & spool to the local Case dealer to match the two small o-rings that seal the valve body/cylinder and the two spool o-rings, then reassembled also replacing the rubber grommets at the end of the cylinder shaft rod. After filling & topping off the reservoir, I found that I have no power steering. I took the cover off the reservoir and using a short bolt to secure the clean filter, determined that there is good circulation. I haven't done a pressure test yet as I need to acquire a tester. Is bleeding the system to necessary? Or is there something else I may have overlooked?
 

[LenND]

Sounds like it is air locked. Start the tractor and then turn the steering wheel all the way to one side. Then turn it all the way the other way. Do this six or eight times and it should work the air out of the line.
 

[RGV_hay]

Thank you for the reply. I've been out doing tight figure 8's for 15-20 minutes; there has been minimal improvement, but it has quite away to go. Afterwards, I took the cap off the reservoir while the engine was running, the fluid level was above the filter and air bubbles were coming to the surface. After turning the engine off, the line from the pump (closer to the center of the tractor on the PS valve) was about 120 degrees (ambient temperature is 75~), the return line to the reservoir (closer to the tire on the PS valve)was 5-10 degrees cooler.
I've been using power steering fluid since ATF Type A was discontinued. Does this recovery seem within the realms of normal? Thank you
 

[LenND]

I have had better luck leaving the tractor standing still and out of gear. Then turn wheel till it comes all the way to the end. Then turn it the other direction and do the same. I don't know about the fluid. I used TSC hydrualic fluid in my old Cases same as the hyrdualic lines use. But if it is air it should work anyhow I would think.
 

[RGV_hay]

Thanks, I'll try that in the morning when I'm packing a little more umph. I know that the filter is clean, so I'll keep going until the air bubbles clear.
 

[Case Nutty 1660]

if you kep getting air bubbles you may not quite have enough oil in the tank try turning it to one side the check oil if it shows very low try adding a bit more oil and continue bleeding as you are I have seen them seem full when checked running as the oil level seems higher than it is just a thought cnt
 

[RGV_hay]

This morning the froth in the reservoir was gone & the fluid level was below the top of the filter. I topped it off, but then it was spurting a bit out the hole in the cap when turning. The level with engine off was full on the cap indicator stick. I unbolted the tank and tilted it from side to side, but the level remained the same. I was using the tractor for 1/2 hour this morning and either I'm getting stronger or the power steering is improving, so I'll keep an eye on the fluid level when the engine is off. Thank you for all the information!