MF 240 Leak under steering wheel?

brazosdog

Member
It is a mid 1980's MF 240 Perkins. The leak started immediately after fixing my leaking steering wheel cylinders. Bummer because those where a lot of work. Now I have to track down the leak under the steering wheel somewhere. I have not taken anything apart yet, but is there any common leak points and is this an easy fix? If the steering wheel has to come off, this is NOT an easy fix. It's rusted on and will have to be cut off probably.

Fluid is clean and clear, so that's how I know it's the steering system. Leaks a few tablespoons every hour.

I have not torn into anything yet.
 
Here is where she is leaking. It’s leaking out of this part. The steering wheel main shaft is to the right in the picture. Can I just remove the cap of this thing and fish out an o ring or something?
IMG_2021.jpeg
 
The spool should lift out when capscrews and linkage off.

There are two orings on it.

I had same leak on a 240. Did it myself for less than $10 in orings from MF dealer.
 
The spool should lift out when capscrews and linkage off.

There are two orings on it.

I had same leak on a 240. Did it myself for less than $10 in orings from MF dealer.
That’s good to hear. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. If I can get my hex driver in there I might can do this without removing the dash. Lol.
 
I did it without removing the dash so it is possible.
Got it out OK. I only have one O-ring that is accessible. Other one must be under the spring thing. I can't get that out without taking it apart and I can't get it apart without absolutely mangling every smooth surface on it. So, that's not an option.

Looks like the yoke end unthreads, but there is zero chance or means of holding the spool firm to unthread it without absolutely destroying it.

Any idea?

Looks like this has to go to a hydraulic shop for specialty tools. I have 124 years of tractor service tools in my shop but nothing that will allow threading this off without damage.

I attached a picture with a circle of the only O-Ring I can access. I don't see the one behind it and don't see how you can even get to it if it's there.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot 2024-12-26 122753.jpg
    Screenshot 2024-12-26 122753.jpg
    94.4 KB · Views: 24
Last edited:
Got it out OK. I only have one O-ring that is accessible. Other one must be under the spring thing. I can't get that out without taking it apart and I can't get it apart without absolutely mangling every smooth surface on it. So, that's not an option.

Looks like the yoke end unthreads, but there is zero chance or means of holding the spool firm to unthread it without absolutely destroying it.

Any idea?

Looks like this has to go to a hydraulic shop for specialty tools. I have 124 years of tractor service tools in my shop but nothing that will allow threading this off without damage.

I attached a picture with a circle of the only O-Ring I can access. I don't see the one behind it and don't see how you can even get to it if it's there.
IMG_2036.jpeg


Looks like this is going to require a specialty shop to fix.

This one is NOT user serviceable.

No way to unscrew the yoke without holding the back. 1200lb of vice and leather didn’t work. Gonna need a specialty tool to clamp where the green arrows are.

some guy on youtube used a screw driver, but his ports are at least 3 times bigger than mine. Nothing I put in mine will hold without breaking or bending.

What a terrible design to require to replace 1.75 worth of O rings.
 
Last edited:
Got it out OK. I only have one O-ring that is accessible. Other one must be under the spring thing. I can't get that out without taking it apart and I can't get it apart without absolutely mangling every smooth surface on it. So, that's not an option.

Looks like the yoke end unthreads, but there is zero chance or means of holding the spool firm to unthread it without absolutely destroying it.

Any idea?

Looks like this has to go to a hydraulic shop for specialty tools. I have 124 years of tractor service tools in my shop but nothing that will allow threading this off without damage.

I attached a picture with a circle of the only O-Ring I can access. I don't see the one behind it and don't see how you can even get to it if it's there.

My memory is foggy, I might have bought two orings and used the one on the outside. I did not unthread the clevis end either.

I was able to replace it by wrapping one layer of electrical tape around the spring and gently rolling it to the groove.

The outside oring solved my leak.
 
I couldn't get the clevis unthreaded either....I tried like you. Try the one oring and see if it works. Mine never leaked and was still going years later when it left the farm.
 
I did replace that one O-ring. It still leaks. I don't even know what a shop would use that I don't have to get it off. Even my 'mini' vice grips are too wide. I guess I can take them and grind them thinner and attach to the two gapped areas on the spool and see if that will work. Even if it galls that spot up, it shouldn't affect anything.
 
Last edited:
I did replace that one O-ring. It still leaks. I don't even know what a shop would use that I don't have to get it off. Even my 'mini' vice grips are too wide.

I'd grind down the jaws on two pairs of cheap vice grips and try that groove. If the outer ring didn't solve your leak that only leaves the inner one.
 
IMG_2093.jpeg


Still waiting on parts but I modified two small Stanley vice grips I found at Home Depot for 6 bucks a piece. It slipped once so I had to really crank them down so tight I almost couldn’t close them. But once it broke free it was fine. We’ll see.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top