Power steering chatter

Al in Il.

Member
I bought a 53 Super M last fall, didn't run, had an issue or two (1 bad rear tire and rusted out gas tank) but the price was just to good to pass up - had a factory wide front to boot. Got it going yesterday and it runs excellent. I went to check the steering (tractor was not moving) right turn was fine (so far) but left or counterclockwise on the steering wheel made a squalling noise with the hoses jerking. I'm thinking (hoping) the power steering fluid is low and that's the reason for the noise, etc. I am not sure how or where to see if the fluid level is correct - or if you can. Iv'e never owned a Farmall with power steering but had several straight H's and M's in the years past. My question is: What is the first thing to check or look for with this issue. The pump appears to have no fill level or check plug from what I see.It's much easier to ask someone who knows like some of you. Thanks.
 
The power steering pump could be from a variety of sources, or from a kit that was used to install PS on the tractor. Many pumps have a remote reservoir and a hose that allows suction from it, and return to it. Some are based on a reservoir in the pump housing. In some cases it is necessary to partially or completely remove the hood to fill the reservoir. Jim
 
In general there are two types of PS that are fitted to an M Char-Lynn and Behlen. The Behlen brand is generally installed between the steering wheel and the point the shaft disappears under the hood. The Char-Lynn mounts under the hood on the front side of the mount plate for the oil and temp gauges. I believe the original Char-Lynn install kit has a pump that mounts above the governor. With a separate reservoir higher up under the hood. The reservoir has a lid with a wing nut you loosen to turn it off to the side to check the level. I have always ran the cold fluid level about an inch from the top. Unfortunately you have to raise or remove the hood to check the fluid level. Thus the M I have ran many years with no hood because the PS leaked fluid.
 
Used Red Mn - You are spot on with your post. It is a Char-Lynn power steering unit from your description. I checked the wing nut reservoir and it is about an inch down from the top. Now that the potential easy fix (low fluid) is not the problem, I'm not positive what my next step should be. Any ideas? I just don't know why it squalls when the wheel is turned left. I don't want to damage anything by forcing it to turn either. Thank you!
 
Grease all moveing parts includeing the frt. bolster shaft, check bolster gear box. start at the easiest first.
 
check the oil filter in the fluid resevoir under the cap. if restricted it can starve the pump. napa has replacement filters
 
To answer some of the questions & advice, this is what I've found out so far:

It's a Char-Lynn pump
Fluid is clean and full, no water or condensation
Filter is spotless - clean
I see nowhere the pump could be greased/lubricated externally

My next possibility is to check the hose that turns the wheel left. Could be partially plugged, restricted, etc. but I really doubt it. Looks like the belt driven pulley on the pump slows down when turning the wheel/squalling (only one direction though). Hard to tell without someone else helping/looking. I'll figure it out one way or the other but always open to suggestions.
 
Sometimes a hose will get a delaminated internal flap that acts like a heart valve. When flowing one way it lays down. When flow is the other way it flexes out into the diameter and stutters the pressure as it tries to seop the flow. Changing the hose from end to end, or with the other hose can find the problem. Jim
 

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