4500 backhoe steering problems

Hi I have a 4500 backhoe that has steering problems, I have reworked the seals in the cylinder and pump added new oil and it has no leaks but still very hard to steer, any ideas to what my problem may be.
 
Are you gaining oil in the engine crankcase? I understand there is a gasket where the pump bolts to the engine, and if it fails, PS oil leaks into the engine oil.
 
(quoted from post at 07:35:53 04/25/13) Hi I have a 4500 backhoe that has steering problems, I have reworked the seals in the cylinder and pump added new oil and it has no leaks but still very hard to steer, any ideas to what my problem may be.
It has a seal on the shaft that when leaking will leak the PS fluid into the engine crankcase. When you filled it did you fill up to the proper level? It must be filled until its at the opening of the fill cap. When running with the fill cap off you should see oil flow in a radial pattern all around the filter. Is the filter installed and is it new? Are you using the proper fluid ?

Did the problem just surface all of a sudden or has it slowly been getting worse? If you changed the seal and if you are losing oil to the crankcase, the shaft is worn at the point of contact with the seal. I know you said no leaks, but didn't verify if the oil level is lowering or not....Just thinking out loud. If all is good on the peripherals, you may just have a worn out pump.
 

Thanks for your reply, it seems that I just don't have the presure that it needs from the pump, is there anyway that you can check the presure that it needs to have thur the cylinder to turn the wheels, when I jack the front wheels off the ground the power steering seems to trun the wheels great but when the wheels are on the ground you can hardly turn them, no leaks, fluid is staying to the rim when you open the lid on the pump, and it doesn't seem to have air in it. Can you give me any ideas to where I could get a pump with out have to spend 800 on it thanks again
 
(quoted from post at 18:02:06 04/26/13)

If you only replaced the seal on the end of the steering cylinder and did not do a total cylinder repacking, the packing inside the cylinder could be bypassing the fluid. I've not checked the pressure on the pump as have no suggestion as to how either, but I would think a tee into the high pressure side of the steel line with a high pressure guage (3000 lb to be safe) would give you the pressure output while operating.

I'm not saying that is what you should do, it is something I might try if I had that issue. The problem you'd face would be obtaining the proper fittings to do it safely. Maybe someone else will chime in with some proper information for you.

You may try a google search for Ford parts, there are a lot of ag as well as industrial units that use that same pump. Still thinking about your cylinder bypassing packing internally...keep us posted and good luck.
 

Thanks for your reply, I have replace all interal o rings, seals, all other interal parts looked just fine, put back together added fluid and started it up thought it would solve the problem, only to fine it was just as hard to steer, thought you might know of something else that might cause the problem, don't mine to replace the pump if I thought that was it, it just looked to goood on the inside when I replaced the o rings, I used the rebuilt kit that it calls for. If you think of any thing please let me know thanks again, Debra
 
As Missouri Massey Man has suggested you ought to do a pressure check to see what the pump is putting out. As he stated, you may just have a worn out pump. You should be able to source a pump for less than $800.00, dependent on which style you have. IIRC that tractor needed about 1250psi on the pressures for the p/s pump.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top