2510 steering valve update

[Freddy]

Well its all done and working great. For my first time on this it was better than I thought going in. Did not have and satisfaction on using the dial indicator like the book said. The screw heads were just so uneven. Even filed them smooth but probably crooked. Instead I used long strips of brass shim stock in .001 and .003 size. Laid them carefully over the valves and reassembled. Adjusted the screws till they lightly touched, locked the screws and pulled out the shim stock. Reassembled tractor and it works perfectly. It must of been messed up for a while cause it never worked this fast before. Response is fast. Well at least in comparison.

 

[Freddy]

If one would take it to a Deere dealer how much would this job cost? any ideas guys? I did talk to Deere about it. They said those jobs are to expensive to attract to a dealership any more. 3Rd party repair or owners fix them.

 

[Bob Bancroft]

I have had better luck doing that myself rather than going to several local "experts". If I ever have to take another one out, it's going to Tim S in Ohio.

 

[Tx Jim]

Freddy
Where do you reside. YT member Tim S from Ohio will repair & test it on his test stand.

 

[tim s]

I have heard of some dealers charging $900-$1200 to do them and then not have them right,, I charge $250 plus the kit $100....

 

[Freddy]

Yes I can see that it would be expensive. The Deere I work with doesn't do to many! Plus they have no test bench before installation! They told me those steering valves were used clear up to the 4430's. I did not know that!

 

[newgenjdcollector]

Had a dealer do one for me this summer and the bill was $450. Next one I remove is also going to Tim in OH.

 

[Freddy]

That was pretty cheap! They must do nothing else
but reseal and reinstall! The one I was working one
require line flushing and lube and filter change!
Contamination in the lines!

 

[newgenjdcollector]

All they did was adjust it. I took it off and put it back on myself. That's the hardest part IMO.

The 4020 I sent to JD way back when was $1200. Of course a portion of that bill I'm sure was time they spent screwing with the steering motor when I told them that wasn't the problem.

 

[Freddy]

This steering valve really needs to be bench tested!
But Deere did not offer that! Only Tim did! The
owner of the tractor which I was just helping out
wanted to risk it to try to conserve! This time it paid
out. My luck really is not that good. His must be.

 

[Tech 7]

I think you were pretty lucky, talented or both to get it set up in one shot. I have done a "few" of them, (not near as many as Tim S) and still don't look forward to them. Yes I bench test them as shown in the manual.
At the dealership that I once worked at when one of those valves came in there would be four guys running to hide. I don't run that fast so I generally got elected to tackle them.

 

[D-]

I agree with Tech 7. You were very lucky.
To set the valve clearance the collar that moves the
levers is supposed to be a certain distance
from the bottom of the valve housing.
Without those tools I don't know how one gets that
distance right.

 

[tim s]

I have heard of them busting open from being set wrong,,the boys at the local dealer had that happen a few years ago...

 

[tim s]

Some times there can be strange issues with them, some times the upper housing gets warped and won't seal well, mostly from hanging on the steer wheel heavy in rough going,there is an up-date fore them but they are pricey,, some times you get a cracked inner housing from hitting a hole or a stump, I have one here that must have a crack in it i can't get it to set correctly,,keep hoping to find a good center housing to put on it..

 

[Freddy]

Bought that tool off eBay! JDH-3D. One could make that tool but I did not have the time! As for adjustments they are not a hard concept to understand but a little difficult to put in practice! I do have some technical knowledge after 35 years as a electrical , hydraulic and engine aircraft technician. Also a part time Deere mechanic.

 

[tim s]

Ooh yes your Qualified..