How to remove top section of steering valve on MF245

[Dbridges]

The top seal and/or o-ring in the steering valve on a MF245 is leaking. Over the years I have repaired these Char Lynn (spelling) hydrostatic valves (motors), but on this one the top cap is bolted under the mounting bracket. So, even if you take the three bolts out you cannot remove the top cover that holds the seals and oring. Any suggestions? I don't know why MF did it this way.

 

[damn1981]

Pull battery and remove valve

 

[Dbridges]

Thanks, but that is what I was trying to avoid. So, I removed the steering wheel, the rubber grommet (cover), the top washer, and the snap ring. I punched a hole in a shop towel and placed it over the steering shaft, set the steering wheel back on. Then I pulled the injector pump stop to the stop position and cranked the starter while turning the steering wheel back and forth. The pressure was enough to push the brass washer (ring) up and i removed it with flat nose pliers. I repeated the process and got the seal out. Waiting on parts. Hopefully I can reseal without removing the steering motor.

I have repaired several of these over the years, but I have never seen one mounted under the steering column in such as way as to prevent removing the top section.

 

[MF#1]

I did one on a '79? MF 245 several years ago. All I removed was the steering wheel. Everything else came out the top of the shaft. The kit I used also fit some Ford X000, IHX54, and some MF's, surprised that it was that "universal". It was somewhat strange to me that I basically laid the parts in versus installing a typical seal but I found out that the pressure of the pump pushes against the seals, the leak went away and I was good to go. I only needed a short section of thin-walled pipe to reassemble. If I had to remove the steering motor it would probably still be leaking ;-)

 

[damn1981]

And you still have not replaced all the seals

 

[MF#1]

And I didn't want to. The kit fixed my problem.