2550 steering problems

[MJMJ]

Steering started acting up while moving hay. Happened suddenly, both directions. I can turn the wheel continuously, there’s no “wall”. It still steers, but its slow to react and not really consistent. It takes several full rotations of the wheel to turn the wheel, like its getting fluid but pressure is poor. Brakes, loader, and 3 pt still work fine. I assume its in the steering valve. Tech manual isn’t much help, just says repair or replace valve. I’ve had bad o-rings in the valve cause a similar feeling, but not near as severe as this. Was about to start taking the valve apart to check o-rings, but figured I’d ask here first.

 

[Tx Jim]

How many hrs since hyd filter was changed & hyd oil suction screen checked/cleaned? If open station has steering return oil filter(AL31413) been changed lately?

 

[MJMJ]

Changed steering filter no more than 10 hours ago, just a few weeks. Hydraulic filter changed and screen cleaned last summer. Tractor is mostly used for hay, just a couple hundred hours per year, so I skipped changing the fluid and filter this year.

 

[grwrench]

2 WD or 4 WD

 

[MJMJ]

Sorry, forgot to mention 4wd.

 

[Tx Jim]

Sounds as if steering valve has problems. I'm not familiar with the proper method to diagnose that type of steering control valve. I wonder if steering cylinder piston seal has failed??

 

[MJMJ]

Wasn't sure if I should update, because frankly, I'm still not sure what is/was wrong. But as of now, it seems to be working okay. All I did was remove the valve stack and plate and check all of the o-rings. All looked okay to me. Put everything back together with plans to check the steering cylinder and likely take the steering valve to a hydraulic shop if I didn't find anything. Got sidetracked with fixing some front kingpin bearings and the rush to get two fat steers ready for the county fair next week. Started the tractor yesterday just to move it out of the garage and it seems to be fine. Steering seems responsive, with a wall on each side just like it's supposed to be. Need to fill the front hub with gear oil before really taking it for a drive, but I'm hopeful I dodged an expensive bullet.