4000SU Power steering leak

Jeff NWOH

Member
Split the neighbor's 4000SU for a clutch. I lifted the steering gear and tank and kept it with the front half of the tractor. I used 2 nylon slings around the output shafts of the steering box to lift it.

Twice now it has leaked fluid out the top of the steering column. Not every time i have run it though. Is it just a coincidence or is it possible I messed up a seal somehow? If it's my fault, I'll make it right, but I'm not sure what could have happened. Any ideas?
 
One more thing: Those boxes leak more often than not, so if the owner gives you grief about it and tries to pin it on you, tell him that leaking steering boxes are fairly common on those models. If he still doesn't believe you, have him search the archives on this forum. That should eliminate most all doubt.
 
I agree with Bern. They are prone to leaking there and your lifting the steering box/tin by the steering wheel did not cause this. Btw, it's the upper seal that's leaking but you'd be foolish not to replace the lower one also while you are in there since half the job is just pulling the tin to get in there.
 
Neighbor is a good guy. He wouldn't give me any grief over it. I just wanted to be sure I'm not charging him to fix something I screwed up
 
I took a quick peek earlier and it looks like those seals are only available as a kit, so I assume I'd get the upper and lower. I agree it would be foolish to not do them both.
 
The seals aren't special. You could get them at any bearing house. I always replace the orings too. Always got mine from the dealer but they might be standard too.
 

Make sure and clean the tube the steering shaft goes through real good, my 4000SU had burnt under the hood and dash.
When we got it fired up oil poured out the top, pulled the top of the column and replaced the seal, less than a week later it was leaking again.
Pulled the column again and found burnt flakes of paint coming lose that where dropping down on top of the seal, the seal is purely a pressure seal with no upper lip to keep dirt or trash from falling into the seal causing it to leak.
From time to time it will still leak a little when first started, have to pull the engine soon and plan to pull the column and give the tube a good scrubbing and maybe repaint the inside.
Been thinking about checking with a bearing wholesaler to see if there's a seal the correct size with a dust lip to use in place the factory seal.
 

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