Ford 861 powersteering

Ultramag

New User
Have a 861 powermaster with powersteering. It has stopped turning left. It will turn
right just fine and back to straight but when turning the wheel left it stops solid. I
disconnected the steering arm but it still wont turn. I would think the problem would
be with the steering box or control valve. Do they make rebuild kits for them ?
Anydody else seen this problem before?
 
You will need to go in to the hydraulic block on the column. I am guessing here but will bet you have gunked up plungers or a broken spring or two in there.
Yeah, you gotta pull the steering wheel and tin to get at it. Mark where the steering lines go to the block to save yourself some grief later.
Do the whole job or don't do it.
Replace both the upper and lower seals and the Orings. Take the hyd block apart. CLEAN it. There are several springs, plungers and little balls in there. Don't lose them!
Don't be scared of it.
On a scale of 1 - 10 with 1 being changing a tire and 10 being over hauling the transmission it is about a 4.
If you don't have a manual you really should.
 

Disconnect the steering cylinders from the drag links, jack the front end up to take pressure off the tires
Operate the steering to see if the wheels will turn in both directions, if they do check the steering cylinders to see if they stroke fully in and out

Same type cylinders but different tractor but my 4000SU recently had the steering act up and became difficult to steer, after pulling the column apart and finding no issues we found the right side steering cylinder was freezing up
Replaced that cylinder and all good now
 
Thanks for the responses I will definetly check those things. Is there anywhere to get parts for the hyd block? Ive looked online but cant seem to find anything other than buying a whole new one.
 
If the steering will not turn left, engine running or otherwise, the upper thrust bearing in the steering gearbox has failed allowing balls to fall into the rack.

This is not uncommon as leaking sector shaft seals allow the gear lube to leak out and away from the bearing.

It's a simple repair once the hood and dash has been removed.

Replace the sector shaft seals and bushings at the same time then refill with CNH pourable high EP lube.

Probably should rebuild the PS control valve at the same time. Again an inexpensive and simple repair.

Dean
 
Dean,
You would be correct on a manual steering column.
The power steering columns are very different.
To begin with those upper thrust bearings are lubed by the ps fluid and if the system is working can never go dry.
Also, it would be physically impossible for a bearing to fall down past the lower seal in a ps column and get into the rack like on a manual column.

cvphoto97610.jpg
 

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