Ford 3400 power steering problem

352tractor · Jun 29, 2017

I have a 3400 ford 1971. The power steering feels like it is trying to help some but requires much effort to turn. I have replaced the power steering pump and rebuilt the control valve inculdind the cup spring. No improvement was made. I removed the ball joints at the front of the steering cylinders. When I turn just enough to apply the control valves the cylinders move very slow. Is there something I have overlooked or are one or more of the cylinders bad? Thanks Dan

nashranch · Jun 29, 2017

(quoted from post at 17:09:26 06/29/17) I have a 3400 ford 1971. The power steering feels like it is trying to help some but requires much effort to turn. I have replaced the power steering pump and rebuilt the control valve inculdind the cup spring. No improvement was made. I removed the ball joints at the front of the steering cylinders. When I turn just enough to apply the control valves the cylinders move very slow. Is there something I have overlooked or are one or more of the cylinders bad? Thanks Dan

My 1966 Ford 3500 has 1/2 your problem. Mine turns easy to the left and real hard to the right. I just rebuilt the pump today cuz the front seal was bad and leaking oil into the crankcase. It was hard to turn right before I rebuilt it so I know it isn't something I caused. I sure have no clue what's wrong.

All advice would appreciated

352tractor · Jun 30, 2017

I think it might be the cylinders but I would like to know if it is possibly the problem before I spend big bucks on cylinders. The cylinders I
have are not rebuildable. I bought this tractor at an auction so I have no idea what the problem is. Thanks for any help.

Sean in PA · Jun 30, 2017

I'm not sure what you're describing when you said:

"rebuilt the control valve including the cup spring"

The control valve is inside the steering column, and the only springs in there are the plunger springs,of which there are 4.

Did you follow the procedure in the service manual when you put the steering column back together to tighten the big nut, then back it off a certain amount and stake it in place? That allows the steering column to rise and fall a slight amount as you turn the steering wheel in one direction or the other, and that up/down movement of the column is what causes the control valve to open up the correct ports to allow the fluid to flow to the cylinders. It sounds like you tightened that big nut and did not back it off the proper amount, and therefore the steering column isn't moving up and down as muck as it should, so the control valve ports aren't opening as much as they should.

352tractor · Jun 30, 2017

I still need the answer to the question could it be the cylinders. Thanks

3000OH · Jun 30, 2017

Have you searched the archives here yet? Longtimer Ultradog has posted many many times about the PS units on these tractors and you find those posts here. Big shout-out to him - he knows his stuff inside & out. Included in the many YT posts that I've been saving are the ones that he's written about 3xxx tractor PS, waiting for the inevitable day that I have to tear into our PS.

352tractor · Jun 30, 2017

Thanks, I've never tried archives before.

352tractor · Jun 30, 2017

The washer below the nut is a spring that is a washer. I watched the contol valve move the barrels completey up and down. I only had 3
springs in the control valve the other was 2 balls and barrtels with holes. Thanks

352tractor · Jul 1, 2017

The washer below the nut is a spring that is a washer. I watched the contol valve move the barrels completey up and down. I only had 3
springs in the control valve the other was 2 balls and barrtels with holes. Thanks

Ford 3400 power steering problem

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