4000su power steering leak fixed ..

A week or so ago I got the parts to fix a nagging power steering leak on my 1970 4000su. Soundguy and others have had threads about the fitting on newer-style pump, and like theirs that's where mine was leaking.

Upon inspection of the old tubing I could not see any cracks in the flare. The fitting, however, had a nasty circular divot worn into it, I suspect from vibration.

Got a new fitting and the two OEM anti-vibration clips from Messicks. Picked up a 3/8" steel brake line from NAPA. I had brazed the leaks in the old line many years ago after failing to successfully bend and flare a new one, but I've done a lot of bending and flaring since with my $50 KD tools flaring kit.

Bent a new line up and decided to go ahead and bolt it up to the old fitting to see if it would work. (Would have had to pull the pump to replace the fitting.. a pain with the loader installed..) With the proper clips in place, it doesn't vibrate at all and that new soft flare seems to have formed to the old fitting just fine. The clip that fits into the sheet metal close to the tank was the real key to removing vibration against the tank itself. If you're missing that one, do yourself a favor and pick one up before things start leaking!

I've worked the tractor hard these past two weeks, mowing and moving material and raking out paddocks. No PS leaks. I think the fact that I have a spare fitting means that old fitting will never leak again. :lol:

One of the tools that helped out with bending the 3/8" tubing was a cheap little $5 bender I picked up on sale from Harbor Freight, item #3755. Great for tight bends without kinking.

Hope this helps someone out -
Greg

cool.. glad it worked out. them fare conenctionsare bad about leaking. mine did.

the harbor freight medium tube bender is worth the 5$ it cost too.
here's a tip.. that darn 90' fitting in the pump is an oring boss fitting. and due to shape and mounting, pump has to move to get fitting out.. unless you take a sawsall and cut the top of the 90 off, then just unscrew the fitting from the pump.. you can then scre in a new straight fitting, and 90 from there with just a slight tweak on the lines..

(quoted from post at 15:29:34 06/12/12) cool.. glad it worked out. them fare conenctionsare bad about leaking. mine did.

the harbor freight medium tube bender is worth the 5$ it cost too.
here's a tip.. that darn 90' fitting in the pump is an oring boss fitting. and due to shape and mounting, pump has to move to get fitting out.. unless you take a sawsall and cut the top of the 90 off, then just unscrew the fitting from the pump.. you can then scre in a new straight fitting, and 90 from there with just a slight tweak on the lines..

Click to expand...

Heh... that's exactly why I didn't replace the fitting just yet. I didn't want to pull the pump with the loader in place. I can do it.. did it once before. But I was more interesting in getting some grass cut.

Greg

Good advice guys.
My first exposure to those lines was a worn down brass fitting that leaked. I replaced it and then the line cracked. Hairline fracture right where the flare begins.
I might have asked on this board and was told about vibration and put those clips on.
I cut the old flair off, annealed the line and reflared it. It's been working for years now.