MF 30B power steering issue

[mtrodgersjr]

Hey guys… First time posting. Hope this is in the right place! I was recently given a MF 30B which does not steer. The steering wheel is pretty hard to turn, whether running or not—but the wheels barely turn—even when lifted off the ground. The reservoir is full. Any ideas? Thanks in advance! Mike

 

[used red MN]

Hello Mike, welcome to YT! When jacked up do the front wheel wobble back and forth a bit if you grab them. If one or the other is tight that is probably your trouble. If not it is probably in the gear box.

 

[mtrodgersjr]

Yeah one side I’m completely unable to move. Never noticed that before. I wonder when the last time it was greased. Is it possible to unseize one of these? I just pulled the pump off or else I’d try it and grease it.

 

[used red MN]

Did the pump seem to be loading the engine or making additional buzzing when you would try to steer it indicating it was attempting to assist in turning the wheels? If so may as well put the pump back on to assist you in freeing it. If the grease fitting is not taking grease take the fitting out and dig all the dirt or old dry grease out and see if it will. If that doesn’t work buy an 1/8” street L turn it in the fitting hole and stop with it turned up. Spray it about half full with some type of penetrating oil and the rest of the way with ATF. Then put the fitting in and see if the grease gun will force the lighter in to help free it up. May have to repeat this process a time or two. Unfortunately, getting it loose may prove to be a difficult task.

 

[mtrodgersjr]

Gotcha! Ok that helps. I will try that with the grease fitting or get a new one. As for the power steering, i can hear the power steering system a little, but not much. The steering wheel I think is only connected to a control valve and from there hydraulically controls the steering. Could it be that the seized wheel (king pin?) maybe weakened the pump or somehow messed up the control valve? Is there a why I can narrow down which one is the issue? Or let me know if one thinking through this all wrong.

 

[used red MN]

Gotcha! Ok that helps. I will try that with the grease fitting or get a new one. As for the power steering, i can hear the power steering system a little, but not much. The steering wheel I think is only connected to a control valve and from there hydraulically controls the steering. Could it be that the seized wheel (king pin?) maybe weakened the pump or somehow messed up the control valve? Is there a why I can narrow down which one is the issue? Or let me know if one thinking through this all wrong.

My initial thought would be that this really would really not be to likely to damage the system. You say it was “given” to you does that mean it sat unused for some time? That and lack of lubrication is likely what attributed to the steering locking.

 

[mtrodgersjr]

it was sitting unused for I believe a year or two before I got it. But the steering went out while it was being used, which is why it was parked.

 

[mtrodgersjr]

I ordered a grease rejuvenator from what I understand helps you force atf into the joint. I also talked to a parts guy in town and he said it sounds like a weak pump. Ordered one of those also. Will post an update after I get them in. Thanks for your helpful replies!

 

[Jim.ME]

Similar to what used red MN suggested. Remove the old grease fitting, dig all the old grease you can from the hole, spray penetrating oil into the hole, then install a new grease fitting. Use ATF or penetrating oil in your rejuvenator, it will pass through where grease won't to get things flowing.

 

[mtrodgersjr]

Sounds good! Thank you!

 

[m16ty]

I e got a MF40, which is basically an older model of your 30b. I fought steering problems for years. I took it apart a couple times, cleaned everything, and changed the filter (there is a filter inside the reservoir). That helped for a little while then is would be hard steering again. I finally just ordered a whole new pump and that solved all my problems. Now I can steer with one finger with a full loader bucket.

 

[mtrodgersjr]

Hey nice! The new pump is coming in on Friday and seems like it should be a quick install. Hoping it fixes the issue! Y’all are pretty helpful on this site.

 

[bob p mn]

Hope the new pump does the trick, did you get the tight spindle loosened up? I helped a buddy with a 2200 Massey he bought not running when we got it going no steering. Both of his spindles were seized tight, we lifted the front end off the ground and with 1 guy turning the steering wheel the other would hit the front tire after pumping grease into them. I couldn't pull the spindles because the arms had been welded on to the spindles on both sides. I don't think those spindles had seen a grease gun for decades. We were pounding on the front tires with a 16 Lb. sledge. To top it off we ended up having to rebuild both steering cylinders as well. I had put a pressure gauge on the pump first thing and pump pressure was within spec. After all that it did steer with 1 finger with a full bucket. The seller said that all the tractor needed was a carb kit. There was a lot of things we fixed but it turned out to be a decent tractor when we got done with it.

 

[mtrodgersjr]

Sounds like it was quite the job! I’m getting the rejuvenator and grease fittings in tomorrow and I’ve got atf ready to go… Hopefully I’ll be able to get it greased up. I also noticed the grease fitting is completely missing on the other side—the side that is loose.

 

[mtrodgersjr]

Hey guys… So I made some progress. Put the new pump on. Definitely a huge improvement. I eventually got the joint accepting grease. (Broke the rejuvenator in the process!) But I’m hearing the relief valve while trying to steer when the wheels are on the ground. I hadn’t mentioned this, but there is only one steering cylinder on the tractor right now. (The other side is capped off.) So I’m assuming I’m hearing that because is trying to get twice the motion out of the steering currently. I also noticed the grease fitting on the other side is broken off and part of it is still inside where the hole/threads are. But anyway, progress. I not have a worn out ball joint I need to get fixed so I can attach the other cylinder.

 

[m16ty]

One of your steering cylinders is capped off? That's likely part of your problem. Not only do you have only half of your steering force, with the cylinder capped off it is fighting against the other cylinder. You need to get that squared away before you do anything else and is likely the majority of your steering problems.

Grease fittings broken off in the hole are usually easily removed with a e-z out.

 

[mtrodgersjr]

Thanks! My mistake—the cylinder is completely off and the hoses from the steering system are capped off. I plan to put the cylinder back on Thursday and go from there. Also bought an ez out, so hopefully will be able to fix the grease fitting also. Thanks for everyone’s help!

 

[m16ty]

Thanks! My mistake—the cylinder is completely off and the hoses from the steering system are capped off. I plan to put the cylinder back on Thursday and go from there. Also bought an ez out, so hopefully will be able to fix the grease fitting also. Thanks for everyone’s help!

That is still only giving you half the steering power you would otherwise have with both cylinders.

 

[mtrodgersjr]

Ok. I’ll let you know what happens after I reinstall it.