560 Hard To Steer Right, OK To Left. Please Help!

Been screwing around with this for about 6 weeks now, in my spare time, and getting nowhere.

Tractor has been sitting for about 10 years, so I have no idea how steering really ever did work on this. Initially, I had hard steering both directions, but was somewhat easier to the left. System will make about 900 psi in LH turn, but only 100-200 psi in a RH turn. With the front end off the ground, the steering wheel turns freely, so I don't suspect a mechanical issue, like binding anywhere.

I suspected that the problem was in the steering control valve, so I removed it and dissassembled it for inspection. No problems found, and I reassembled it and reinstalled it. Now it turns easily to the left, still have the same pressures, and still hard to steer to the right. The steering shaft is free to move in and out, and seems to activate the valve in either direction, so I am not sure where to head next. Inspected the hyd filter, with no blockage found.

Sure was hoping to find that nut loose, or the spring broken, but no such luck. Any ideas as to where to look next? That difference in relief pressure between left and right really has me stumped. Is it possible that I have internal leakage within the front bolster itself?

The fact that this worked better after I had it apart makes me think the problem may be within the control valve, but for the life of me, I can't see a thing wrong with it.

Thanks in advance.

Check out your steering knuckles, one under the radaitor, one at the end of the engine and one near the battery. I thought my steering pump was going and talked to an old IH mechanic and he told me about this after I described how it was steering. It would steer hard and get easier in different spots. I had one knuckle that was very stiff.

Steering shaft is free to move back and forth, but someone has put a setscrew on the yoke attached to the input shaft. This doesn't seem to interfere with operation, as the whole steering shaft can move back and forth.

From what I can tell, the control valve is working proprerly, checking it with compressed air.
With the end rear facing endcap removed, the vave moves back and forth when steering left and right.
Removed the valve for another inspection. What is the purpose of the spring and check ball under the aluminum plug? All looks good, guess I'll try again.





R