1958 Cockshutt 570 steering toubles...

Hello all, hopefully you guys will be able to help me out here... I have a 1958 Cockshutt 570 with the Gremmer power steering and it won't steer. I have replaced all seals in the steering head, have checked power steering pressure and replaced the relief valve spring. I have about 850 PSI at half to full throttle. When I turn the wheel to the left, the last full turn is perfect power steering but when I turn back to the right it just fights you all the way. It is impossible to turn to the right when sitting still. What could be my problem. I am going to disassemble the steering head this weekend and recheck everything. Anything special I should look for or do upon reassembly?

Thanks, Nick

I have a Power Steering Service manual (# SM-461) for the Gemmer system used on the 500 series. It has some schematics and instructions on rebuilding a unit. Normal operating pressure is 850 to 900 psi. It also has a troubleshooting section and for your problem it says:
"Excessive Steering Effort:
1. Thrust seal and ring assembly in rack piston is leaking - Replace the seal
2. Adaptor seal assembly in housing adaptor is leaking - Replace the seal
3. Reaction Control valve is stuck - Remove spool valve and reaction valve, clean all parts
4. Pump pressure low - Check pump
5. External linkage and controls too tight and binding - Lubricate linkage and adjust as required
6. Air in system - Bleed steering gear
7. Incorrect oil being used - Use non-foaming SAE 10W oil or ATF type A
8. Valve badly worn or scored - Check and replace if any signs of wear.

Note: To bleed system, fill reservoir with SAE 10W oil ( or ATF type A) and with engine running, turn to full left. Remove bleed screw next to trunion. Slowly turn wheel back to right to expel air. Install bleed screw and refill with oil."

Hope this helps. My email is open in case you might want more info or a scan of a page.

Let me ask you a couple of questions: What all did you do to the steering unit. Is this a narrow, adjustable or standard front end. What does it steer like when you jack the front end up so the wheels are off the ground. How did you adjust the thrust bearing on the outside end and do you have the ball or needle type bearing. How much will the steering wheel move before the front wheels move? If you use the tractor a lot I know how I would fix it.

550Doug, I have that same manual your talking about.... I didn't of course when I was rebuilding the steering unit. I have replaced the seals in the rack piston and the adapter plates. Have cleaned and inspected the reaction valve, found some junk in it and it was not scored or anything like that. Have bled out all the air. I am also using ATF. I do have a lot of steering play before the wheels start to turn, I'm going to adjust that tomorrow and see what happens.

J. Schwiebert, It has an adjustable wide front, with the wheels off the ground it still steers stiff, but can be turned side to side. Thats one thing i didn't do is adjust the thrust bearing. What is the best way? I am going to try to adjust it how it says in the manual. This steering uses needle type bearings. I have about a 1/2 turn before the wheels move which i know is way to much. Adjusting the Trunion does not take it up without binding. So I need to go to the other adjustment. How would you fix it?

I would put a unit off of a later Oliver (hydrostatic unit on it. Find me on the hPOCA site if you have questions. If you have that much play you are way way out of adjustment.

Ok, I completely adjusted the steering, took all the play out of it. I can now steer it left and right but still only the last full turn to the left is power steering. I also have no/very little power steering pressure until that last full turn... could it be that valve giving me trouble? I am going to see if I can get that power steering pressure up a little higher.

Remember pressure is only caused by resistance to flow. The pump will only produce the pressure needed to do the work (turn the wheels) How can I contact you/ J.

My email is [email protected]. Or my cell number is (219)-309-0417. Either way is good to get ahold of me. Thanks Nick

Hey J. Schwiebert, I would love to hear more about adding a different power steering system to a 570. For the life of me I cant figure out what I could put in there as there isnt alot of room. Mine has hadit and I would sooner replace it with something else. I dont show this tractor Its used as my loader tractor so something a little stronger might be better. Thanks

Trevor