Slow power steering (Ford 3000)

robertfb

Member
I have an early 3000 with factory power steering. The power steering works, but only if I turn slowly. If I crank the wheel there is no assist.

I replaced the lines to the cylinders because they were kinked and full of wasp nests when I got it (had been apart a long time).

Wondering how hard it is to rebuild the pump... it’s the little cast aluminum one with a separate reservoir and appears to be very expensive to replace...
 
Your description of your symptoms does not make me think that the pump is the problem. It sounds more like the upper thrust bearing in the steering column is worn. How much does the steering wheel move up and down when you turn it back and forth?
 
I guess it has a filter in the unit. Changed that?

If the problem is in the steering column and you have to disassemble it, get some help, personal, or via literature. The balls are tricky for
the unknowledgeable. I redid my 4600 and one of the balls got in the wrong place. Not knowing, first time into one, In reassy, I had a gap
that I was trying to close and apparently over torqued something. I broke something that couldn't be repaired/replaced, don't remember
what but it was because a ball had fallen out of the screw gizmo and wound up between two surfaces that wouldn't allow the unit to be
reassembled correctly. Local Ford dealer got me a new one....$2k. Ouch that hurt.
 
Power steering column for a 4600 is a bit different than a 3000. The 3000 has external cylinders and only the control valve is inside the column. The 4600 has the piston and control valve inside the column. Knowledge of how to put them back together is needed for both though.
 

The 3000 was "power assist" and not power steering. If you tried to turn very fast, you would out run the power assist. SO....

depending on how fast your trying to turn, it may be normal or you may have a problem. I out run mine anytime I get in a hurry, so I have to slow it down. It also works better slightly above and idle, but the pump may be a little tired.

Later models with full hydrostatic steering were faster, and even went to smaller steering wheels. ie the 3600 and 3610 series.

Make sure your spindles are well greased, your thrust bearings are not collapsed, that support the spindles, and that your steering column has around 1/16 vertical play (IIRC) indicating the steering valve in the column is working correctly.

As you turn the wheel, the column needs to go either up or down slightly to open the correct ports on the valve to allow the fluid to flow. If the internal nut is adjusted too tight, it will not allow this. If the bearings have fail, it will move too much.
 

Thanks everyone - looks like from hard right to hard left the wheel raises about 1/4 inch.

Is that worn or within the normal range?

Spindle bushings and thrust bearings are new.
 
1/4" is slightly more than it is supposed to be, but not by much. I think it's supposed to be 3/16" so 1/4" is probably within the acceptable range.
 
Thanks. I’ll keep diagnosing it.. need to change the filter and maybe check the valve block for dirt. Not sure where else to look.
 

Suddenly it started working yesterday. Was loving it, right until the right side steering cylinder shaft broke. It appears that the balljoint on the end of the shaft was seized.

Stupidly I kept working it with just the left cylinder attached. Until I bent that side...

Not sure if there is a pressure problem with my pump, or if it was just overloaded from having the right cylinder not shouldering half the weight.

Plan to check the pressure relief valve, and swap to the 5/8 shaft aftermarket cylinders.

I am REALLY glad that I got this tractor for free (well I had to haul it from Missouri to Connecticut).
 

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