Massey ferguson 253 power steering issues

Hello all. I'm new to posting on here so I'm hoping help is on the way. I have a MF 253 that over the past year has been losing steering. You could turn the wheel endlessly without much feedback. Easy but slow to react. I pulled the pump res off replaced the filter. Nothing changed. Took control box off and had local dealer do a rebuild. Put it on last night, topped off fluids and started it up. Looked in res. and can see fluid moving. When I turn the steering wheel the wheel begins turning on its own and continues to do so. It also often begins to jump back and forth violently. I have drained/bled the lines several times. Only a small amount of air came out and only after bleeding lines through about two quarts into a old hyd bucket. I'm checking the levels almost constantly. I've tried bleeding from every line on power steering I can find. I'm not much of a mechanic so what am I doing wrong or what is my next step? Any help would be appreciated. Also I see no signs of foaming etc since the air came out.

I had a 231 Massey that would start giving me problems about once a year. I learned on the Massey board how to correct my problem. I would fill reservoir and leave the cap off. Start the tractor and turn the wheel all the way each way and hold it a few seconds. Go each way a couple of times and I guess it would get the air out of the system. It would then work fine for another year or so.

At this point I can't do that. When I turn the wheel it takes off spinning under its own power. Then shakes uncontrollably left and right very fast. It's like it has its own mind.

The wheel turning back and forth violently, I had that happen to a fork lift I was repairing once. It was
steering fine, but the control motor under the steering wheel was leaking. I took it apart, replaced the
seals and orings. Went to reassemble it, discovered there were many ways it would go back together, and I
hadn't marked how it came apart!

First time I started it the wheel shook back and forth with such force it could have easily broke my
fingers or even broken the wheel!!! I ended up taking the motor apart about 5 times, process of
elimination, to finally get it timed right. In the process I tried calling the Clarklift shop, they said it
was not serviceable so they were no help. I finally got it right, learned that next time mark EVERYTHING!

So, now I fear you have 2 problems. The original problem of not steering, and now the motor has been
reassembled wrong by the dealer. You might call the dealer and see if they want to try again, or see if
they will apply what they charged toward a new or rebuilt unit.

That may or may not solve your problem though. There could still be a problem with the driven
cylinder/motor, whatever your system has. I do suspect the problem is with the driven end. A bypassing
cylinder or motor will have the symptoms you first described, the steering wheel turns and nothing moves. A
way to test is to remove the hydraulic lines and cap them. Start the engine and try to turn the wheel each
direction. The wheel should not turn and the steering pump will load or kill the engine at idle.

The hydraulic system is self bleeding. Once the oil level in the reservoir is full, the air will work
itself out. If foamy, letting it sit overnight will generally clear it up.

If you don't have a shop manual, that would be a very valuable investment. My advise is worth just what you paid for it, I'm speaking in generalities, not specific to your system. With a manual, you can see for your self exactly what needs to be done.

Steve's advise above sounds right to me. Your original problem is most likely steering cylinder piston seals. It's far more common
than most people think. Now, you have another problem. Your steering control valve is out of time. That's not your fault, but it
won't work as it is, so it's back to the dealer to see what they will do for you. It SHOULD be at no charge this time.