6610 power steering "hiss"

spandit

Member
Whenever I turn the wheel on my 4WD 6610 it makes a hissing sound and the steering is quite heavy. Fine once going but trying to turn the wheels whilst stationary is nigh on impossible.

Fluid seems to be OK - does this sound like air in the system, or something more serious? How can I purge air from the system to begin with before I start replacing seals etc.

Is it easy to check the filter? Everything seems to be more difficult with a loader as it blocks access to most things!
 
Trying to diagnose noises over the internet is very tough. It is a hiss, or a squeal? Where exactly is the
noise coming from?

If it's a squeal coming from the pump, then it's your relief valve opening, possibly prematurely. If you
hear a hiss coming from the box, you most likely have an internal leak inside the box itself. Neither of
these issues would be solved by a filter or a new pump.

Try and track down the exact source of the noise and post back.
 
(quoted from post at 19:59:22 05/05/19) Trying to diagnose noises over the internet is very tough. It is a hiss, or a squeal? Where exactly is the
noise coming from?

If it's a squeal coming from the pump, then it's your relief valve opening, possibly prematurely. If you
hear a hiss coming from the box, you most likely have an internal leak inside the box itself. Neither of
these issues would be solved by a filter or a new pump.

Try and track down the exact source of the noise and post back.

I can hear it inside the cab so possibly not the pump. Fitting a new filter can't hurt anyway. I'll try to get a video that shows the problem.

The manual says to remove the steering column one has to take the cab off - not something I fancy attempting. I don't know whether I have the hydrostatic system or the normal one.
 
Based on your prior post about the neutral safety switch, I can see that you have what Ford calls the
"integral steering" box. It is not the hydrostatic system that came out on the later 10 series tractors.

If it has the Ford factory cab then yeah, taking that box out, or even disassembling the top of it, would
not be fun.
 

OK, here is a thrilling video where you can hear the "hiss" - it's loud if you press your ear to the centre of the steering wheel

https://youtu.be/-DwswnvD680

Looking at the pictures of the integral unit in the manual, I think you're right (not that I doubted you!). Why is it so difficult to take out/service?
 
I believe what I hear to be internal leakage in the steering unit. Try pressing your ear closer to the side
of the steering box near where the two lines enter. A stethoscope might be handy here because of the cab.

Another test that you can do to confirm internal leakage would be to remove the return line at the steering
valve and run your own hose from that port into a bucket. There should be little to no oil coming out of the
line when you turn the steering and the wheel is not moving. If there is a lot of oil coming out, you've
found the source of your problem.

Those Ford cabs on the straddle mount tractors were definitely not meant for service, that's for sure. Not
only were they tough to get in and out of, they were also tough to work around.
 
(quoted from post at 22:06:53 05/05/19) I believe what I hear to be internal leakage in the steering unit. Try pressing your ear closer to the side
of the steering box near where the two lines enter. A stethoscope might be handy here because of the cab.

Another test that you can do to confirm internal leakage would be to remove the return line at the steering
valve and run your own hose from that port into a bucket. There should be little to no oil coming out of the
line when you turn the steering and the wheel is not moving. If there is a lot of oil coming out, you've
found the source of your problem.

Those Ford cabs on the straddle mount tractors were definitely not meant for service, that's for sure. Not
only were they tough to get in and out of, they were also tough to work around.

I meant to take my mechanic's stethoscope up there. It's very noisy because the exhaust looks like this (it was dodgy when I bought it but hitting a low branch today didn't help matters - I've ordered a new one):

mvphoto35690.jpg


I know what you mean about it being difficult to get in and out of. Doesn't help that the left hand door rubber stopper thing doesn't hold the door very firmly - and it's brand new, just replaced it.

If that is the problem, is there a seal inside that could be replaced or is it yet another thing that isn't serviceable...?
 
[i:adf7f7fdc6]However, access panels enable the upper column extension and control valve housing to be serviced without removing the cab.[/i:adf7f7fdc6]

That is the best thing I've read all week!
 
Mine is the full hydrostatic, and behaves completely different.

My wheel does not spin, it gets hard to turn, you can here the hiss in the pump.
 

My steering wheel has about 90 of play in it before the wheels do anything. With the engine running, I can turn the wheels (on a concrete floor) - they're big chunky ag tyres, not the skinny ribbed 2WD kind - so power steering does work but it seems heavy at times
 
I also have implement tires on front of mine. My steering wheel does not move far before having resistance, at idle not much power steering, so I think it is a pump issue for me.

I think you have a steering gear issue based on the discussions,
 

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