3400 power steering issues

[Shamus Horan]

Hi all. Shamus from Rhode Island here. I picked up a 1972 ford 3400 3 cyl gas. Previous owner was trying to make the power steering work. He destroyed the base and shaft. I purchased the new Hydrolic valve a new shaft and new bearings seals and orings. Cleaned and reassembled everything. I feel the have the preload on the internal nut with spring washer set properly. I have also rechecked and loosened a little more and reset the lock tang. I replaced the filter and filled with fresh fluid. The box feels good with the steer cylinders removed on one end. When I steer right and left the cylinders do not move. Now wondering if the pump is shot. I have the good InT shop manual, original to the tractor. I need to makeup a tee and gauge to see if the pump is working. Any advice ? I have read a bunch of old posts. June 20th 2026 I blew out all six lines to be sure they are clear.

 

[sotxbill]

Lots of things... did any of the little poppets or valve and springs get put in the wrong place in the hydraulic valve in the steering box???? or turned upside down? Did you replace the bottom bearing in the steering box and or make sure it was there and not damaged as it places the shaft in the correct vertical position to work properly. Then there is the concave washer and pretension setting? Too tight and it will not allow the valve to float up an down a bit,too loose and the steering will wonder..... as the minor vertical movement of the internal valve must happened to allow the valve to go up or down a bit to line up with the ports and activate flow in one direction or the other. As you turn the steering wheel left or right, the screw gear forces the valve to move up or down just a bit based on which direction your turning the wheel and thus the "height" of the valve and its slight "vertical movement" is critical.

 

[Shamus Horan]

New bearings and seals all around. Yes I had the whole valve in upside down. The picture in the manual has the jic-o adapter on the right side but the verbiage states to have the ID groove up. The Chinese replacement has no casting marks. The original unit has ret, and a B and a PR casting. What a nnalert tropical Ford design. Not sure if the pump sucks or what? After I flipped the valve over I retightened the nut to the stop and backed it off one flat. 1/6 th of a turn. It steers nice when the steer cylinders are not attached at the from connection points.

 

[Shamus Horan]

Front points