Ford 3055 Power Steering

[Recoil]

Hello everyone,

I have a 1971 Ford 3055 which seems to have a power steering issue when making a right turn. When running, at a stop and without a load on the loader it will turn left with minimal effort, but I have to fight it to turn right under the same conditions. Could it be the ram or is it most likely something in the steering box? Thanks in advance,

 

[Sean in PA]

The problem could lie in a number of places. The first thing that I would do is jack the front of the tractor up in the air so that both front wheels are off of the ground. Then check all of the steering linkages and axle components for excess free play and replace any worn parts and make all of the proper adjustments. Then start the engine with the front wheels still up in the air and see if it turns easily in both directions. Then disconnect the rod ends of the cylinders from the linkage and turn the steering wheel in both directions and make certain that both cylinder rods move approximately the same distance in opposite directions.

Remember that those are double acting cylinders and that when you are turning in one direction one cylinder is extending and the other is retracting, both under power, so If it was one bad cylinder then the other cylinder should still help when turning in either direction.

 

[Sean in PA]

Also, the Service Manual should have steps to perform to diagnose that type of problem.

 

[Recoil]

Thanks for the replies Sean. It does turn freely if both tires are off the ground. I thought there was possibly air in the system so I did that and turned both directions in order to try and get the air out, but they turned freely without issues.

One thing I am not certain of is if it is true power steering, or simply "steering assisted" steering.

I'll start by disconnecting the rod ends to measure distance when turning to see if they are the same. If they are the same and I don't see any work parts, I assume it's in the steering box?

Thanks again.

 

[Sean in PA]

I just realized that part of my first response is not correct. Since the cylinders are both connected to the ports in the control valve, a leak in one cylinder in one direction could reduce power to the other cylinder when steering in that direction also.

 

[Recoil]

A slight update to this. I picked the front end up off the ground and tested the steering again. When I turn all the way to the left, if I go to the lock on that side, I can see the left tire raise up at lock. There is a slight resistance to turning right even with the tires off the ground and when I go to the lock on that side, the right side tire does not lift up like it does on the left side.