801 Power Steering Problem

sixbales

Member
This is a post from another forum. This guy urgently needs help, so I thought I"d try it here.

"Ford 801 all-purpose is hard steering like the power assist isn"t working. Long story short, it already has a new pump on it and the left hand cylinder has been replaced by an aftermarket part that is rebuildable (unlike the originals). If either cylinder is disconnected hydraulically and mechanically, and the control valve ports are plugged for that cylinder, it steers just fine. In other words, it steers fine on either cylinder by itself. Reconnect the hydraulic lines (leave rod disconnected from drag link so cylinder isn"t doing any work) and steering effort increases somewhat. With both cylinders connected it"s almost like manual steering.

I"ve removed the control valve and given it a thorough cleaning and inspection but don"t see one single thing unusual. Everything works smoothly with no broken or damaged parts.

Anyone have any ideas? I"m really stumped and the owner really needs his tractor.
Any input is greatly appreciated!!"
 
Are you sure both PS cylinders are the same diameter? Replacement cylinders come in either 1/2" or 5/8" diameter (chrome)rods. If the tractor has different sizes on each side, that may account for hard steering.
Just a guess until more experienced help arrives.

Mike M.
 
Dunno what's wrong with it. Kind of confusing there.
Tell him to look into the reservoir while he's turning the wheel back and forth. Is the oil milky? Does it roil and swirl? How long has it been since the fluid and the filter were changed and what is he running for oil in it.
Getting the side cylinders plumbed correctly can be downright confusing sometimes and I've switched them around 3 or 4 different ways before I got them right.
At this point I would make heap big effort to insure your lines are right. Disconnect the front of the cylinders from the tie rods and see what they do when you turn the wheel. If you turn the wheel hard against the locks you should hear the pump sqeal a bit. Easy way to check if your pump is making pressure with out a guage.
Beyond that I would probably pull the cowel and take the hydraulic block out of the steering colums and clean/inspect it. Put upper and lower seals in it while you have it apart.
The FO 20 manual is a big help there.
If you need more help post back.
They are not complicated.
 
Would there be any possibility that the new cylinder is different than the old and both sides are trying to extend or retract at the same time? Disconnecting one end of one cylinder would eliminate that as a possibility.
 
Thanks Ncorrigible, Ultradog MN, and NAA36663 for your responses to this post. I haven"t heard back from "Gearhead", so hopefully he got her fixed.
 

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