Ford 9700 loose steering

[Jeffro_bodine2000]

Our 9700 steering had started to get a lot of slop and now it will not turn at all. Its completely hydrostatic and I took the pump off and inspected it and it is pumping as it should. I am thinking that there is an issue in the steering box itself. Anyone else had this happen and how easy/expensive is the fix?
 

[RodinNS]

Assuming that the oil level is correct in the resevoir.... you've either got a steering cylinder that is bypassing internally.... or a bad steering motor.
I'd probably take one line or the other off the steering cylinder then turn the wheel the opposite direction and see if oil comes out the nipple on the cylinder end. If it does... then you have a bypassing cylinder that needs rebuilt. If no oil moves at all... you have a motor problem. That, IIRC, is a replacement issue at this point. No doubt you can rig something up that will work.

Rod
 

[Jeffro_bodine2000]

Yeah I was going to try and take the hose off at the cylinder today and see. I will try it tomorrow and go from there. How hard is the steering motor to take off? I know the hood will need to come off to gain better access.
 

[mike2366]

[Bern]

I'd lay odds that it's a cylinder. Follow Rod's advice for testing before you rip it apart.
 

[juniur]

check the rag joint (flex coupling at base of column ) you can buy a repair kit at napa