Ford 5610 with steering issues.

I recently purchased a 1983 5610 MWFD Cab tractor with front loader. It had a busted steering housing which I was able to finally locate a replacement and also replaced the power steering pump while we were at it. Problem is that the steering seems to make alot of fluid / pressure noise and is slow and weak to respond. At a standstill its very hard to turn the wheel and in 4x4 mode you can't turn it period when not moving. Can someone share with me how well power steering should work on this tractor being it has MWFD, cab and front loader? I have some 3910's, 4600, 2810 etc and all of them have what I consider to be great power steering. If it sounds like the system is not functioning properly then what items could be the cause?
 
That integral box steering system is definitely inadequate for a tractor with big front tires and a loader hanging over the front end end. It was originally designed for 2WD tractors without loaders, and in my opinion, should never have been installed on front wheel assist tractors in the first place. This is why 1985 and later tractors came out with hydrostatic steering on those models, which was a vast improvement. That said, the assist should be "OK" if the tractor is moving and the load in the bucket is moderate.

Without being able to drive it for myself, it would be difficult for me to tell you whether or not your assist was in fact normal for the conditions you describe. If you think it is not good enough, I would start by teeing in a pressure gauge and seeing what your maximum pressure is under operation. As I recall (and I'm going off of memory here), those systems aren't good for much over 1000 PSI. If you develop significantly less than that, then if it were me, I'd isolate the pump and test that directly first. If that checks out OK, then I'm suspecting an internal leak in your box. This can easily be confirmed by monitoring return flow when the wheels are up against lock. There should be little to no oil flow.
 
(quoted from post at 08:49:29 06/19/17) That integral box steering system is definitely inadequate for a tractor with big front tires and a loader hanging over the front end end. It was originally designed for 2WD tractors without loaders, and in my opinion, should never have been installed on front wheel assist tractors in the first place. This is why 1985 and later tractors came out with hydrostatic steering on those models, which was a vast improvement. That said, the assist should be "OK" if the tractor is moving and the load in the bucket is moderate.

Without being able to drive it for myself, it would be difficult for me to tell you whether or not your assist was in fact normal for the conditions you describe. If you think it is not good enough, I would start by teeing in a pressure gauge and seeing what your maximum pressure is under operation. As I recall (and I'm going off of memory here), those systems aren't good for much over 1000 PSI. If you develop significantly less than that, then if it were me, I'd isolate the pump and test that directly first. If that checks out OK, then I'm suspecting an internal leak in your box. This can easily be confirmed by monitoring return flow when the wheels are up against lock. There should be little to no oil flow.

Great info thank you. I'm sure this is a dumb question but any chance the newer system can be added to the older tractors?
 
The steering cylinder is integral with the axle housing on the later tractors (see image below), so you would have to change out the entire axle assembly, and then of course add the steering motor and lines as well. It would not be cost effective, unless you found a complete donor tractor somewhere.
Axle with integral steering cylinder
 

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