JD 2030 Steering Pops and Clicks Leaks Oil

ATB · May 6, 2018

The steering on my JD 2030 is giving me fits! When I turn the wheel it vibrates/groans buzzes. It also hops up a little bit when it hits the right spot.
Also it has hydraulic oil leaking out through the access plate beside the brake pedals. When I pulled the plate oil gushed out. Is that compartment supposed to be filled to lube the parts?
Is this steering valve a good candidate for a rebuild or should I just start with a new one?
Thanks in advance!

Tx Jim · May 7, 2018

Welcome to YT
Very small amount to no oil should in area below steering valve. Sounds as if steering valves/o-rings need attention. One can access valves/shaft by removing steering wheel,then remove large nut then turn steering shaft CCW then raise shaft/valves up. If you disassemble valves from shaft take note of proper placement of shims as these shim adjust proper valve operation. There are 6 big o-rings in housing that I'll guess need replaced.

ATB · May 7, 2018

Thank you for answering a very important question - the cavity under the steering valve should not be filled with oil.

I understand that there are two cartridges - one for left, and one for right, and if they go bad it's a real headache. Can you comment on that?

Also an excellent video by BundyBearsShed takes you through the entire rebuild, but I think he was just doing an O-ring job. I'll have to review that one again.
Looks like I need to order an O-ring kit and roll the dice.

Bob · May 7, 2018

The oil from the power steering unit returns to the area where you are seeing oil. When there's enough oil to lube the lever and arm mechanism, the excess returned oil simply flows over a sort of "dam" and returns to the transmission case, it's a wide-open area over the "dam" and not likely there's anything wrong there.

So the oil there is NORMAL and being constantly replenished to the correct level any time the engine is running.

With the sort of movement and noises you are seeing, I'd guess there's more wrong in there than a simple replacement of O-rings is gonna fix.

As Jim said, CAREFULLY keep the parts in exact order and note where the shims are located and how many and put it back the same way it was.

tim s · May 7, 2018

What you will probably find is the piston/rod pin will be broken,that is where the clicking noise probably is,,,along with a failing piston seal, that will let the oil into that lower cavity,,you will need to remove the connecting pin on the bottom through that cover plate you have off and lift the housing up off,,don't condemn your actuating valves yet,,loosen the nut under the wheel and unscrew that top large fitting out of the valve,, then twist the wheel to "unscrew" the assembly up out of the housing,,,,then remove the lower piston,, this will let you see what is happening,, take care to see where those 6 large rings go in the upper housing,,they are ornery to get in,,it is like looking down a tube of mirrors as you work them into place..We will help you as you go...

Tx Jim · May 7, 2018

Bob
I don't have access to a utility tractor TM but I thought PS return oil was routed to a galley in clutch housing sealed by mounting gasket(key 14) that sent oil back to trans case & seals(keys 17,18,27 & 28) were designed to keep very much oil out of cavity OP was inquiring about

Tx Jim · May 7, 2018

IIRC if seals(keys 17,18,27 & 28) are faulty one will need to remove power steering housing from tractor to replace seals.

tim s · May 7, 2018

Pin #26 is the one that I find broken a lot...

ATB · May 7, 2018

Bob,
Thanks for the input, and the oil flowing over a dam makes sense. I do suspect that there is more going on than just the O-rings. The steering wheel pops, clicks, buzzes and jumps up when it's being turned. I'm seriously wondering if I wouldn't be better off by just ordering a new unit.

Thank you all for the help!

Tx Jim · May 8, 2018

(quoted from post at 14:10:30 05/07/18) The oil from the power steering unit returns to the area where you are seeing oil. When there's enough oil to lube the lever and arm mechanism, the excess returned oil simply flows over a sort of "dam" and returns to the transmission case, it's a wide-open area over the "dam" and not likely there's anything wrong there.

Bob
Could you please explain how the oil that you state goes over the dam in clutch housing gets routed back to trans case from this "wide open area"? It's been been over 30 yrs since I viewed the interior of a JD utility clutch housing & I can't remember what it resembles.
Thanks,Jim

buickanddeere · May 8, 2018

. The seals in the PS column of my tractor blew out the top . A few seconds of that rust proofed the tractor and myself .
It had made a few moans and groans prior as a warning .

JD 2030 Steering Pops and Clicks Leaks Oil

ATB

New User

Tx Jim

Well-known Member

ATB

New User

Bob

Well-known Member

tim s

Well-known Member

Tx Jim

Well-known Member

Tx Jim

Well-known Member

tim s

Well-known Member

ATB

New User

Tx Jim

Well-known Member

buickanddeere

Well-known Member

Similar threads