Fordson Super Major Power Steering issue

cobrajim

New User
I have a 1960 ish fordson super major tractor with power steering. The power steering works fine when it is cold but when it warms up it doesn't, any ideas?
 
Those were aftermarket add on kits. I have had very little luck repairing them. Had one on my buddies 5000 last spring, I put new O rings
and seals in it, didn't improve it, just bought a new set up from YT, and it cured the problem.
 
Operator manual mentions that there is a power steering filter. Maybe that needs attention. Calls for 10W or 5W for 10 degrees or colder temps.
 
(quoted from post at 01:22:22 11/02/21) Sounds like your pump is worn, is that the pump with the round tank
driven by a belt and mounted up on the cylinder head?

Thanks for the reply, I'll check today. Is it possible to include a photo on this forum?
 

Thanks for the response. Are all of these add on kits? I think if it is an add on it was done a long while back.
 
(quoted from post at 09:04:53 11/02/21)
(quoted from post at 01:22:22 11/02/21) Sounds like your pump is worn, is that the pump with the round tank
driven by a belt and mounted up on the cylinder head?

Thanks for the reply, I'll check today. Is it possible to include a photo on this forum?

Yes the pump has a round tank on it with a fill cap. I noticed though that someone has used Power steering or automatic transmission oil in it. It might be a bit light.
 

Thanks for the manual Majorman!

Do you think the power steering or transmission oil being used may be part of the problem? I would think it should work though as its viscosity is within the operating range of what the manual calls for. If not that then it may be the pressure relief valve not working as it should.
 
(quoted from post at 03:55:03 11/03/21) If it works when cold and not when hot, it says pump worn out to me
98% of the time.

Thanks to everyone who helped out! Its great having a resource as broad as this one is. The pump has been pulled off and I will get it rebuilt or replaced. I'll try YT first.
 

I'm back, I can't find a power steering pump or a rebuild kit for a Fordson Super Major, just spent two hours online looking. Anyone have any suggestions?
 
Those pumps were pretty common on trucks and tractors but it is
nearly 60 years ago now. May be best to look for a later belt
driven pump and adapt it to fit from a breakers yard. It is not a
high pressure or high volume operation.
 
(quoted from post at 08:04:33 11/04/21) Those pumps were pretty common on trucks and tractors but it is
nearly 60 years ago now. May be best to look for a later belt
driven pump and adapt it to fit from a breakers yard. It is not a
high pressure or high volume operation.

I think I have someone that can rebuild these, I'll post the cost and if the rebuilt pump works properly.

If all is good it I'll post their contact information for others. That is if they don't mind.
 
(quoted from post at 08:11:38 11/04/21) Google Steiner's Antique Tractor Parts as they are offering repair kits for a Power Major pump which is the same.

Thanks just checked them out, its an "O" ring kit which is great. How about the pressure relief springs, could these be a problem, most likely not but maybe?
 
(quoted from post at 09:59:14 11/04/21) I would very much doubt the PR Valve is the problem from the
symptoms you describe.

I ordered the filter and O rings. Going to have a look at the pump this weekend.

First order is to change the filter and try it. Should have been the first thing to do but I doubt its the problem, if it was it would most likely affect the operation more when the oil is cold.

Again thanks for the help and advice
 

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