Power steering question

dhermesc

Well-known Member
The old Behlen power steering unit on my 350 was dead. Good oil flow but it was like it wasn't there. I bought a used unit and installed it last night and had a few minutes of testing before I quit for the night. The new unit turns like a dream to the left, it returns to "center" position with good power. The problem is turning to the right from center position. The tractor labors a bit but there's no "power" when turning right. Once you reach full right it will return to center with power. I tried this a few times before shutting it down - I don't think it was air.


Is there a "center" position on a Behlen unit? Meaning did I install it as if it where already in a right turn and it runs out of travel trying to turn it further right?
 
The only centering is done when bolting the unit together by adding or removing more gaskets between valve housing and motor end . You can take the elbow off on pressure line of unit and look in to see if land on spool is centered. Also, turn shaft to see if spool moves far enough to block return passage. When repairing those units, I have had to use as many as three gaskets to center the spool. Of course the roll pins wear and do not shift spool full also.
 
Can you think of a reason why I would lose "power" only turning to the right? It seems if it were a wear problem it would also be an issue returning to center after a full lock left turn. I only lose the power assist once I hit "center" and actually start turning right.


I admit I know nothing about these things and only have a minimal grasp on how they function.
 
Only thing I can say about that situation is that it takes less effort to return to straight ahead than it does to turn. You could do some tests that get kind of messy like running return line into a bucket to compare return flows. A good operating system will block almost all of the return flow when steered to lock and if not all flow is block you will be able to readily see the reduction in flow. Could compare hard right lock to hard left lock and then know if unit is just letting more oil flow on past the control valve. If flows are the same you could have a mechanical problem with the front steering worm etc.
 
I actually drove it - with a wide front and loader its more like "power assist" steering than power steering. It does work both directions - just had an issue with the way it was sitting when I tried it the first time. Mowing/raking is LOT easier now, occasionally a bit more Armstrong required when rotating the steering wheel while sitting still. Thanks for your input - gives me a starting point if this unit goes bad.

Any demand for "cores" on these things? The unit that came off wasn't leaking - just "0" response to the steering wheel.
 

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