D17 power steering - governor driven pump

[Termite]

Evening all, having power steering woes with my D17 with single front wheel. I'll preface this with I've not experienced the issue and working on vague secondhand information and a service manual.

Symptoms: Started with assist on left turns and loss of assist on right turns (including return to center). Progressed to no assist in either direction before returning to the barn. Full of oil that does show water contamination.

Diagnosis and remedial options:

1- Flush the contaminated oil and replace with new trans/hydro oil. Go from there if symptoms persist?

2- Drain oil and open pump for inspection/rebuild? New oil on fill.

3- Possible ram issue?

4- Control valve issue?

Options 3 and 4 both appear to require pulling front support off which is a challenge at the in-laws place.

Appreciate any advice and experience you all can share. Maybe tomorrow I'll have the time to check it out firsthand and see what its doing.

 

[DrAllis]

I think you better drive it for at least 30 minutes and down the road always to get some good information.

 

[Termite]

I think you better drive it for at least 30 minutes and down the road always to get some good information.

I went over and moved it to the barn yesterday afternoon. Turns right with some resistance and no power assist returning to center or left.

From looking at service manual and parts diagram, I'm expecting to disassemble the gearbox to at least inspect and clean everything.

 

[DrAllis]

Remove the steering box fill vent tube. Oil level should be just above the gear inside. Start the engine and throttle it up to half or more. Look inside with a flashlite and see if the oil is moving around. If the oil isn't moving, I'd say the pump has issues. Start with some diagnosis instead of just tearing things apart.

 

[Termite]

Remove the steering box fill vent tube. Oil level should be just above the gear inside. Start the engine and throttle it up to half or more. Look inside with a flashlite and see if the oil is moving around. If the oil isn't moving, I'd say the pump has issues. Start with some diagnosis instead of just tearing things apart.

I'll check fluid flow before disassembly as advised and report back. We head out of town today and won't have time to do anything with this project for a few weeks.

It has some leaks that need to be addressed and this will serve as motivation to deal with those as well. Haven't gotten to cleaning everything up to truly identify source of the leaks, whether they are control valve area or main housing/wheel support intersection.

 

[Termite]

Going to be back out at the barn tomorrow and will do some diagnosis on this. Assuming pump moves fluid, what would be next most likely cause or diagnostic step?

 

[DrAllis]

Complete and ACCURATE diagnosis is key to figuring out what's the next step. On June 5th I suggested for you to drive it around for 30 minutes to gather info. That hasn't happened yet, so there is no info to work with.

 

[Termite]

Complete and ACCURATE diagnosis is key to figuring out what's the next step. On June 5th I suggested for you to drive it around for 30 minutes to gather info. That hasn't happened yet, so there is no info to work with.

On the agenda for today is to do so, I was requesting next steps on the basis of the below as I won't be online while at the barn and don't expect yourself or others would be waiting with anticipation to reply immediately. Regardless, I'm putting the time in over there this afternoon and will report back.

1. Is fluid movement within gearbox observed following approximately 30 minutes of operation?
1a. Fluid movement is observed and responds proportional to increased engine speed. Go to step 2.
1b. Fluid movement is not observed or is minimal. Pump issues or restrictions likely. Go to step 3.

2......

3......

Many thanks and don't take my responses as disrespectful. I try to look a step or two ahead to maximize the effectiveness and productivity when I get the chance to dedicate time to diagnosis and repairs.