70 Power Steering

emt3992

Member
Recently purchased a 70 with intentions of restoration over time, at the moment I just want to get it fully operational. So far it runs ok, needs a tune up, new gas, maybe a head gasket down the road. The major hang up right now is the power steering. Initially I was told it leaked, then told it leaked bad to the point you could fill it and will work for the day then be empty the next. Does the power steering fluid go all the way down into the lower rolomatic unit? At first it looked like that was the leak point being the only wet area. I might just fill it to try and find the leak point. Any tips on where to begin this repair?
 
Get the power steering service manual SM 2050 (I think that's the number). Straight forward if you follow the manual. Davenport Tractor or John Deere publications sell that manual.
 
It can't go into the rolomatic. If the seal in the pedestal is leaking the oil will be running down the pedestal onto the outside of the rolomatic and onto the inside of the tires. Did you pull the grille to have a look? It could be a leaking pipe or hose up top where the fix is easy but if it is leaking that much up top it's likely the fan would be sucking the oil through the radiator. Get a flashlight and look up at the pump located behind the fan. If it's wet and oily it's likely the pump seal or seals are out or the pressure hose coming off the top of the pump is leaking. Like Dan said get the book.
 
Thanks. Yeah I?m definitely going to get a manual for it. I noticed there was fluid all over the rollomatic and inside of the rims, I guess it?s coming from up top then. The guy I got it from mentioned I needed to pull the whole tricycle off but it sounds like I don?t need to then. Maybe just the seals and fittings up top. There?s definitely fluid (now black gummed up grease) all over the top shaft around the base and some at the top under the fill and where steering shaft enters. Like I said it?s all over mostly up top where the shaft meets the reservoir.
 
Also, I did check the pump, it?s clean and dry and no leaks anywhere behind the radiator.. only in the front on the pedestal mostly top under the shaft and around the base.
 
(quoted from post at 19:11:42 03/16/19) Recently purchased a 70 with intentions of restoration over time, at the moment I just want to get it fully operational. So far it runs ok, needs a tune up, new gas, maybe a head gasket down the road. The major hang up right now is the power steering. Initially I was told it leaked, then told it leaked bad to the point you could fill it and will work for the day then be empty the next. Does the power steering fluid go all the way down into the lower rolomatic unit? At first it looked like that was the leak point being the only wet area. I might just fill it to try and find the leak point. Any tips on where to begin this repair?

WELCOME to the somewhat WEIRD world of DEERE power steering from that era!

Well above the Roll a Matic, at the bottom of the power steering vane cylinder is an O-ring and paper backup ring.

If the leak is there, the complete power steering unit/pedestal has to be removed from the tractor and completely disassembled to replace the O-ring.

NOT "rocket surgery", but lots of details, and peculiarities to get it all together and working without binding.

HOPEFULLY, you won't find broken bolts and/or wallowed out holes in the shaft where the moveable vane attaches.

ALWAYS interesting to dig into them to that point and see how good/bad things are!
 
They normally leak in two areas. The o-rings in the p/s pedestal and the shaft seal in the pump. If you are losing p/s fluid and the crankcase oil is increasing the shaft seal in the pump is allowing fluid to leak, go down the fan shaft tube and into the crankcase. It is usually a challenge to remove the gear on the top of the pedestal...may need heat and patience. Interestingly, tractors with wide fronts are less likely to have p/s leaks due to the weight distribution being different than rollomatic fronts.
 
Wow thanks Dan! At least now I know what I?m in for! I guess I should start rigging something from my ceiling beam to lift that thing! Ha. Just those two gaskets at the base? Still leaks now tho?
 
Hey Dan... where is your go-to for parts? I?ve been having some trouble finding a reliable site that has a large amount of parts for this model. I?lol pretty much need a full gasket kit for the pedestal.

Also... so far I?ve disassembled the top end of the ped.. the residual fluid was dark and gummy, guessing just from age and sitting or someone using different types. But when I pulled the lower drain plug a decent amount of fluid came out (maybe a half a quart) so I?m kinda hoping/praying that the lower seals are ok and it?s just the top end gaskets & seals. I?m debating re-doing the top end, cleaning it, then filling it and check for leaks.
 
I am not at home now so my resources are limited. The rebuilding kit from john deere is not available but the individual parts from that kit are. Last I looked the Green Parts Store had the kit, pricey but they did have some. There are two seals in the lower pedestal that I would definitely replace, one is an o-ring the other is a large flat ring that needs to be put in correctly. Will show you one that I have seen which was put in twisted if pic will load.


cvphoto17029.jpg




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Thank you. I picked up all of the gaskets and rings I need (I think) from my dealer using the online schematic. I was going to just do the top end but I?d hate to do that and the leak end up being in the base also so I guess I?ll do it all. Sorry for all of the questions I guess I?m just nervous. Once you pull that pedestal off should I do just the base seal or are there seals in the shaft as well? Is it difficult to pull apart or re-assemble? My dealer can?t find the vane packing gaskets. And oddly the replacement ones for the top are paper thin compared to the originals.
 
Be sure to get the o-ring you see here inside next to the shaft and the large flat ring, they cause pedestal leaks, I wish I new how to draw arrows but I do not. You might get by not replacing the vane seals as wear in this area will not cause a visible leak just less than perfect performance. Search the vane seal part number you may find some.


cvphoto17476.jpg
 

If you're getting fluid on the Roll a Matic, the most likely culprit is the bottom o-ring and back up paper ring. In Dan's picture they are inside the bore. That means total disassembly of the pedestal. Remember that the paper ring goes away from the oil side and "backs up" the o-ring. It's a real shame the kit is no longer available from Deere. It had everything you'd need to rebuild the entire pedestal. I rebuilt 3 or 4 before realizing there was a kit, then rebuilt 2 with the kit, then they were no longer available... :(

It's not a bad job, but SM205 would help a LOT. Setting the worm gear helix freeplay is the trickiest part.
 
Hey Dan.. I picked up all of the gaskets and rings for my steering re build and I noticed that the gaskets for the top end are like paper thin, compared to the old ones which are almost cardboard material. Did you have the same situation? The dealer is telling me to use the new ones I?m just wondering if they?ll leak or if this is John Deere?s way of saying ?this is better than the old style?
 

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