jd 50 power steering not working

[chas036]

I bought this JD 50 at an auction last year, and the power steering was working fine, bu it was leaking a lot of fluid from the seals between the cylinder and the quill. A few weeks ago I took it apart . I disconnected the flow control value and worm actuating sleeve as one assembly from the pedestal. I then loosened the steering gear and lifted the pedestal off the tractor. The only thing I replaced was the the, rubber gaskets between the cylinder and the quill and pedestal, and vanes since I had them exposed. and I replaced that rubber o-ring in the pedestal. NOTHING MORE I reattached the control valve and actuator assembly with a new shim (.007) I didn't save the old shim , so I made a guess to the size shim to use. I put the steering gear on with the two metal shims that were there before and I tightened it down . I filled it with straight 10 wt oil that I found at an auto parts store.

Today I started it up and I could hardly turn the steering wheel . I took it out in the field and it was almost impossible to steer because it was so hard turn the wheel.

I have no idea where to begin to solve this problem and any help would be appreciated

 

[Mark-Ia]

You need to use the Power Steering oil that your John Deere dealer sells.

 

[matthies]

Jack the tractor up and see if you can steer it with it running to check for binding. Also try and get a measurement on the old shim if you still have it.

 

[chas036]

Jack the tractor up and see if you can steer it with it running to check for binding. Also try and get a measurement on the old shim if you still have it.

I looked and I don't have that old shim. Would a few thousands make a difference in that area to cause extreme binding?

 

[chas036]

You need to use the Power Steering oil that your John Deere dealer sells.

Will using the wrong type of fluid actually cause it to bind and steer hard?

 

[Rich'sToys]

One of mine has ATF in it. That was before I knew that John Deere had a special fluid of its own. The tractor has worked fine for years.

 

[wore out]

I bought this JD 50 at an auction last year, and the power steering was working fine, bu it was leaking a lot of fluid from the seals between the cylinder and the quill. A few weeks ago I took it apart . I disconnected the flow control value and worm actuating sleeve as one assembly from the pedestal. I then loosened the steering gear and lifted the pedestal off the tractor. The only thing I replaced was the the, rubber gaskets between the cylinder and the quill and pedestal, and vanes since I had them exposed. and I replaced that rubber o-ring in the pedestal. NOTHING MORE I reattached the control valve and actuator assembly with a new shim (.007) I didn't save the old shim , so I made a guess to the size shim to use. I put the steering gear on with the two metal shims that were there before and I tightened it down . I filled it with straight 10 wt oil that I found at an auto parts store.

Today I started it up and I could hardly turn the steering wheel . I took it out in the field and it was almost impossible to steer because it was so hard turn the wheel.

I have no idea where to begin to solve this problem and any help would be appreciated

There's supposed to be more free play between the worm and gear than you might suspect.

 

[chas036]

One of mine has ATF in it. That was before I knew that John Deere had a special fluid of its own. The tractor has worked fine for years.

What type of ATF did you use? I see that there is many types in the auto parts store?

 

[JIM MN]

You cannot guess how many shims? You should have miced .the old shim pack. You could have used the old shims. The worm housing is too tight to its gear. More shims. Plus, Deere makes a power steering oil AF2235R -one quart size- for the two- cylinder tractors, I would use it. Do what -wore out- posted, he knows what is going on!

 

[Rich'sToys]

What type of ATF did you use? I see that there is many types in the auto parts store?

Can't say for sure, as it's been a long time, but I'm guessing it was probably Dexron, for GM cars, as that's what I drive, and usually keep some of that on hand.