MF202 Power Steering Issue

[Black Flag Forge]

So after a few years I'm back to rebuilding my 202 workbull. When I left off last I had replaced the 4 PS lines and one of the cylinders and also rebuilt the pump and fluid tank. I fired it up and was immediately hosed down with fluid spraying from the steering column. I had replaced a part or two if I remember correctly and had the plastic/nylon bearing showing and the steering wheel removed. I killed the power and left it set as 2020 started and my priorities changed.

I just got out today and figured maybe I swapped the feed and return lines from the pump, made sure they're as show in the manual and tried again. Just the turnover cranks were enough to start fluid burbling out of the column so I abandoned the project for help.

As far as I can tell the only thing that goes on the steering column under the wheel itself is a dust seal, a cap, and the rubber seal cover.. does this cap seal that much pressure and I dont have anything else wrong?

 

[Stan Coryell]

Here's the parts breakdown.

Stan

 

[Black Flag Forge]

Yea, my image is a screenshot from the agco parts book, has everything listed and numbered. I just wasn't sure if I should be getting this leakage past the nylon bearing to begin with.

Having a hard time finding my rubber seal and cap, need to set that back in place and see if anything leaks past.

 

[RM-MN]

The actual seal for that steering leakage is much lower down the column than the steering wheel, probably just at the top of the control itself. There should be a double lip seal or oring to do the sealing. The top of the steering column has a dust seal only.

 

[Black Flag Forge]

Excellent, this is the info I was worried about, if the fluid was even supposed to be that high in the shaft or contained in the bell section.

Thanks!

 

[Caryc]

Sorry to hear about your problem. I went through the same crap with my 202. I replaced seals and even put a speedy sleeve on the steering shaft. I even replaced the pump. I think I had that dash off the tractor three different times, which is a monumental task.

Thanks to the advice of people here on this forum, I finally got the problem fixed. I replaced the whole steering assembly along with the hoses. I used a brand new steering assembly from an internet speed shop for off road vehicles. All the parts cost me around $600. My 202 steering is like driving a Cadillac. It's been like that now for over three years. I know you really don't want to hear this but I would just give up on the stock steering assembly and put a brand new one in like I did. I had mine apart three times and could not fix the problem.

If you want to see what I did, here is a link that tells exactly what I did and the parts you will need and where to get them.

https://www.external_link.com/threads/my-mf202-power-steering-make-over.1339079/

 

[Caryc]

Sorry to hear about your problem. I went through the same crap with my 202. I replaced seals and even put a speedy sleeve on the steering shaft. I even replaced the pump. I think I had that dash off the tractor three different times, which is a monumental task.

Thanks to the advice of people here on this forum, I finally got the problem fixed. I replaced the whole steering assembly along with the hoses. I used a brand new steering assembly from an internet speed shop for off road vehicles. All the parts cost me around $600. My 202 steering is like driving a Cadillac. It's been like that now for over three years. I know you really don't want to hear this but I would just give up on the stock steering assembly and put a brand new one in like I did. I had mine apart three times and could not fix the problem.

If you want to see what I did, here is a link that tells exactly what I did and the parts you will need and where to get them.

https://www.external_link.com/threads/my-mf202-power-steering-make-over.1339079/

 

[Caryc]

Sorry to hear about your problem. I went through the same crap with my 202. I replaced seals and even put a speedy sleeve on the steering shaft. I even replaced the pump. I think I had that dash off the tractor three different times, which is a monumental task.

Thanks to the advice of people here on this forum, I finally got the problem fixed. I replaced the whole steering assembly along with the hoses. I used a brand new steering assembly from an internet speed shop for off road vehicles. All the parts cost me around $600. My 202 steering is like driving a Cadillac. It's been like that now for over three years. I know you really don't want to hear this but I would just give up on the stock steering assembly and put a brand new one in like I did. I had mine apart three times and could not fix the problem.

If you want to see what I did, here is a link that tells exactly what I did and the parts you will need and where to get them.

https://www.external_link.com/threads/my-mf202-power-steering-make-over.1339079/

 

[Caryc]

Sorry to hear about your problem. I went through the same crap with my 202. I replaced seals and even put a speedy sleeve on the steering shaft. I even replaced the pump. I think I had that dash off the tractor three different times, which is a monumental task.

Thanks to the advice of people here on this forum, I finally got the problem fixed. I replaced the whole steering assembly along with the hoses. I used a brand new steering assembly from an internet speed shop for off road vehicles. All the parts cost me around $600. My 202 steering is like driving a Cadillac. It's been like that now for over three years. I know you really don't want to hear this but I would just give up on the stock steering assembly and put a brand new one in like I did. I had mine apart three times and could not fix the problem.

If you want to see what I did, here is a link that tells exactly what I did and the parts you will need and where to get them.

https://www.external_link.com/threads/my-mf202-power-steering-make-over.1339079/

 

[Caryc]

Sorry to hear about your problem. I went through the same crap with my 202. I replaced seals and even put a speedy sleeve on the steering shaft. I even replaced the pump. I think I had that dash off the tractor three different times, which is a monumental task.

Thanks to the advice of people here on this forum, I finally got the problem fixed. I replaced the whole steering assembly along with the hoses. I used a brand new steering assembly from an internet speed shop for off road vehicles. All the parts cost me around $600. My 202 steering is like driving a Cadillac. It's been like that now for over three years. I know you really don't want to hear this but I would just give up on the stock steering assembly and put a brand new one in like I did. I had mine apart three times and could not fix the problem.

If you want to see what I did, here is a link that tells exactly what I did and the parts you will need and where to get them.

YT won't let me post the link here, but if you will email me at [email protected] I'll give you the link that will have all the info you will need.

I do buy parts from YT but they do not carry any of the parts you will need to replace that old steering system.

 

[Black Flag Forge]

Email sent but windows was having issues.


I picked this up from a very kind man on craigslist for $120. Going to finally get a 3point on mine now though there is a small crack on my top plate housing I worry about.

I also ordered a pack of orings and lower rubber seal for my steering column so I'll try that soon. Next is the backhoe valves and I can get that 2k lbs removed to start the split.

 

[Caryc]

(quoted from post at 18:11:25 02/12/22) Email sent but windows was having issues.


I picked this up from a very kind man on craigslist for $120. Going to finally get a 3point on mine now though there is a small crack on my top plate housing I worry about.

I also ordered a pack of orings and lower rubber seal for my steering column so I'll try that soon. Next is the backhoe valves and I can get that 2k lbs removed to start the split.

I put two new rubber seals in my stock steering column, neither of them worked. I also tried a speedy sleeve on the steering shaft where those seals rode. That lasted maybe 6 hours running time before the fountain at the top of the column returned. I'm convinced that those stock parts just won't work unless maybe you got hold of some original unused parts.

New system = no problems. But, I do wish you luck.

Just so the other guys know what I'm talking about, here is the new system on my 202.

This post was edited by Caryc on 02/12/2022 at 05:46 pm.

 

[Black Flag Forge]

I do still worry about mine, I've noticed others stacking washers to add pressure. I might do a modified version with a dense rubber gasket to form a top seal and just let it roll so long as I end the leak.

 

[2tractors]

A very respected poster on these forums told me about using some additive that swells the seals just last week and I haven't had a chance to try so far. Thanks, Miner.

 

[Black Flag Forge]

Care to share which additives?

 

[2tractors]

He didn't remember the brand but you could ask at any parts store.

 

[Black Flag Forge]

Honestly I worry that anything that would react in a way to penetrate the rubber would degrade it over time? I'll read up.

Hoping to start some rebuilding again this weekend.

 

[Clarkbug]

I recall reading on here some other posts from a member that was having a similar problem. The seal at the bottom of the shaft was getting pressure on it, and he ended up tapping the casting and plumbing it into the return line to the power steering pump.

Not sure if it would fix your issue, but might be worth searching for to give you an idea. Is a cheaper attempt to fix than a full replacement, so if you are at your wits end it might be worth a try...

 

[Black Flag Forge]

I'll add that to my list of options for sure. Waiting on an o ring set for my backhoe controls so I can remove that and start working on steering.