John Deere 70 Power Steering Leaking into Engine

Bradracer18 · Oct 15, 2014

I have a 54 JD 70 and the power steering has stopped working a time or two, and we filled up the resivor, not thinking where the oil had gone (assumed leaking), however checked the oil while back and it was overfull. I'm thinking the power steering is leaking into the engine.

Is this possible? And if so, can someone point me in the right direction as to how to fix this or what my problem is. And also how involved this fix is.

Thank you!
Brad

Rylee · Oct 15, 2014

Your power steering pump is powered off of the fan
shaft which you have probably have already figured
out. But I believe that if the pump seal went out
on the input shaft of the pump it could leak
through the fan shaft tube and into the engine.
Therefore you will need to rebuild the pump. There
is a manual available on the power steering system
(SM2050).

Dan in Ohio · Oct 15, 2014

What caused you to think the ps was leaking, did you see oil
leaking from the front pedestal area? Did you add oil to the ps
and the see that the level went down? The two systems do
not share oil. The crank case can get over filled for other
reasons , like a leaking fuel shut off. I am not criticizing you
in any way as my 70 gas std is leading me down the same
path. I would explain what mine is doing but I do not want to
steal your post but our problem sounds strangely similar.

Bradracer18 · Oct 15, 2014

Well this tractor is fairly (1.5 years) new to me, and I'm by no means a mechanic. But the engine oil drained was around 4 gallon, and I believe it holds something like 2.5gal. The oil didn't smell of gas but was thin (making me think lighter oil in it). We have added oil to the power steering (which quit working due to lack of oil) multiple times...I'd say we could have put in a few quarts. I do not see any oil that has leaked from this tractor up near that area. None of the parts/radiator area are oily, nor is the area I park it. Makes me think the added oil is going to the engine.

I've ordered a power steering manual off ebay, so that should be a good start. Just looking for answers here and advice!

Mikein Ky · Oct 15, 2014

That is what happens. My 60 did the same thing. The power steering pump seal leaks into the fan shaft and it runs to the governor housing and into the engine. Had to put new seals in the P/S pump.

matthies · Oct 15, 2014

Also you might want to check the breather on the top of the fill/dipstick. chris

Bradracer18 · Oct 16, 2014

Is it pretty easy to replace the seals? And, who carries them, did you just get them at the dealer or somewhere else cheaper?

Whats the deal with the breather, what ya thinking on that? I guess I didn't know there was one(makes sense now). Is it in the dipstick itself? Would a clogged breather force a seal out, is that your thinking?

Larry in WNY · Oct 17, 2014

Brad,

It's a big job for a novice mechanic. Not bad once you have done one. Order 4 seals not 2. 2 seals are for the front of the pump and 2 for back side. They are installed so the inside seals have the lip pointed towards the center of the pump. The outside seals have the lip pointed towards the outside of the pump. The original seals were double lipped. Also you will probably need to order a new pump shaft as these get grooves worn and will leak again. All parts needed will add up quickly. The shaft is $200 from aftermarket vendors. The disks between the pulley and pump will need to be changed. A new bearing and bushings are probably needed too. Many things have to be removed to get the pump out safety without damaging the radiator. Use some cardboard to protect the radiator. JD manual SM-2050 will be a big help. Many others have commented on this site too with pictures and helpful advise. Do a forum search and a bunch of posts are there.

I found it easier to grind a small cutout to get the snap ring out. Now I have heavy snap ring pliers, but that ring can be a bear sometimes.
Larry

Mike M · Oct 17, 2014

Larry; I am curious about the fitting in your pump ? Did you find an adapter fitting to fit and then replace the metal suction line with a hose ?
Or maybe the model you are working on never used the pipe ?

Hugh McKinney · Oct 17, 2014

I was thinking the same thing. Hugh

Hugh McKinney · Oct 17, 2014

I agree with everything you said, however I did try a "repair sleeve" for the shaft, and so far it has worked okay. Mine had a deep groove worn on the end nearer to the fan.

Larry in WNY · Oct 19, 2014

My 60 didn't have power steering & the parts I bought didn't have the metal line. My father made a fitting for the pedestal end and the pump so a hydraulic hose could be used.
Larry

John Deere 70 Power Steering Leaking into Engine

Bradracer18

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Rylee

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Dan in Ohio

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Bradracer18

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Mikein Ky

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matthies

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Bradracer18

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Larry in WNY

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Mike M

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Hugh McKinney

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Hugh McKinney

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Larry in WNY

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