4020 steering problem

scott sonnier · Dec 15, 2011

i have a 66 4020 with a bad steering to the right,turns great to the left, but hard to the right,you have to hold the wheel to make it turn to the right,even with the wheels off the ground it is hard to turn,i know there are two pumps for the steering,just wondering if anybody ever had this problem and where can i find a micrfiche to rebuild the pumps

Tx Jim · Dec 15, 2011

You're correct in the fact there are 2 pumps. The trans pump oils trans and supplies oil to the frt main hyd pump. I doubt if a pump is the cause of hard steering in one direction. I think your tractors problem is the steering valve that the steering wheel attaches to. You'll need a JD service manual and some special tools to repair steering valve correctly.

LJD · Dec 15, 2011

If it steers one way and not the other . . . why do you suspect the hydraulic pump?

Main system uses a high pressure piston pump that is fed low pressure oil by a gear pump. If this system wasn't working, your steering would not work either way.

I'd suspect the steering motor or the steering valve (most likely the valve). When you turn the wheel it turns threads in a steel collar and piston - that pushes on two valves for right turns . . . and two valves for left turns. Four valves in all. Two inlets and two discharge valves. These valves are operated by steel rocker arms with adjusters on them. Probably something is amiss inside that area.

DONMYEIL · Dec 15, 2011

Your problem is not the hyd. pump . Its the steering valve. It needs to be removed and rebuilt by someone that knows how to do it . Now if the steering turns equaly in both directions after you make it turn right then its the steering motor. It would have worn out o-rings letting the trapped oil side (right turn ) leak out to the sump.Holding the steering in a right turn opens a valve that lets pressure oin in to refill the circuit.

tim s · Dec 15, 2011

Yes it"s most likely the steer valve under the dash, it needs torn down,cleaned, resealed and re-calibrated.They are a bit ornery to get out and and if you have never done one you had better send it out to be repaired. I can rebuild them and bench test them here at my shop, on my "brand new" Deere pump and component test bench.

scott sonnier · Dec 15, 2011

wow ok ,i thought that is where the problem would be but i wanted to pick someones brain first,this is all original tractor only tires and oil have been changed ,it only has maybe 3000 hrs,my grandfather bought it new in 66 barn kept,never left our farm,is there a online manual ???i dont really like our local dealer anymore,i rebuild pumps at work but yall say it takes special tools so i am screwed on that, i really appreciate yall info cest bon cest bon!!!

LJD · Dec 15, 2011

Oui, mais tracteur n'est aucun bon en ce moment ?

You don't need any special tools to work on the pump - but that's not your problem anyway.

Steering valve repair doesn't require any special tools either, but it goes faster with the Deere adjuster rig for the valves.

scott sonnier · Dec 15, 2011

ok thanks for the info,i might look into finding a rebuilt pump or just bring it to someone

dkattau · Dec 16, 2011

Don't let them scare ya. The only special tools you really need are the stones to touch up the valve seats, if that. The other tools are just for locating the valve actuating collar, if you know the spacing you an make your own. The steering valve is actually a pump and valve in one. The top section is the "pump" for manual steering. Its a little hydraulic master cylinder that you manually move with the steering wheel if the engine dies, works only once each way. The bottom section is the valve. Between them is a flat plate. This plate gets a hairline crack in it and things just go all wrong. Replace this whether its cracked or not, sooner or later it will be. Then look at your valves. Chances are they're still the originals and have metal seats. Check for fine pieces of metal stuck in the valves and also in the seats in the valve housing. If there's nicks or scratches, then the valves need to be replaced and the seats touched up. If not, replace all the seals and plate and you should be good. If you don't mess with the valve adjusting screws and put the original valves back in their original holes, you don't have to readjust the valve clearance. They look intimidating, but they're not. Just remember, this is 1961 technology.

Tx Jim · Dec 16, 2011

(quoted from post at 21:00:44 12/15/11)

Steering valve repair doesn't require any special tools either, but it goes faster with the Deere adjuster rig for the valves.

John
Granted it's been since the mid 80's since I've had my hands on one. Are you stating the steering valves can be adjusted without bolting the special OTC plate on the bottom of valve housing?

LJD · Dec 16, 2011

Yes I am. Like anything, without the plate you have to know what your doing. Plate just eleminates the need to check clearance between the adjuster screws and the four valves. Must be clearance in "neutral" and when steering left or right - the discharge valve always open a few thousandths before the pressure valves.

Tx Jim · Dec 16, 2011

Experience does help a lot when it comes to adjusting the steering valves or any mechanical repair.. It appears to me that Scott Sonnier doesn't have any experience on the steering valve so I seriously doubt if he can "successfully adjust the valves" without the aid of the plate.

tim s · Dec 16, 2011

I don't agree with you, a novice "needs" to be afraid or hope to be Lucky. If they are adjusted wrong they can pressure up on the return side and crack like a pumpkin, I have seen it happen to first timers,also if not adjusted correctly they will turn slow one way or maybe not at all one way, taking them in and out is not an easy task, and after fighting with the lines two or three times you are bound to cross thread a line,,then more grief.Sure after you do a couple of dozen there is nothing to it, if your good you can probably do one with out a dial indicator,,but not the first time....

lenray777gmail.com · Dec 16, 2011

I took mine down to Tim from Michigan before he had his testing booth up and running.
Mine worKs PERFECT now.
Tim is very good at what he does and he is a very nice and fair man to do business with.

I was not paid to say this.

len in Michigan

LJD · Dec 16, 2011

Experience and innate skills vary by person. Subsequently, I don't have a clue as to what faceless people behind keyboards on these forums can, or cannot do.

I DO know a skilled mechanic with a Deere tech manual can fix a steering valve with or without the Deere centering and adjusting tools. Same for the SCV valves.

When I worked as a Deere tech, I rarely used any of the special tools for anything and had very few problems. There were some others in the shop that used every gizmo available and had horrible success. It all depends on the individual.

I've been accused in the past - on these forums of trying to make complicated things sound easy. That has never been the case. I'm just making the point that many of these repairs CAN be done without the special tools.

Tx Jim · Dec 16, 2011

(quoted from post at 12:29:52 12/16/11)
When I worked as a Deere tech, I rarely used any of the special tools for anything and had very few problems. There were some others in the shop that used every gizmo available and had horrible success. It all depends on the individual.

John
You are probably correct. From my experience working at a JD dealership for over 20 years you are an exception rather than the rule. Most JD service technicians I've been acquainted with couldn't adjust the steering or scv valves as as easy as you outline!!!!!!!

scott sonnier · Dec 16, 2011

Well thanks alot for the confidence booster,i
came on here for advice,you have no idea who
I am,,,,,,I am a rig mechanic offshore,i have alot
of special tools in my barn ,i am also a license
machinist, I rebuild 16cyl emd engines that
power the, rig,,,,,again thanks for the advice, I
ordered the rebuild kit today ,i will tackle it,and
take my time,,,,,,remember you dont know who
is on the other side of the screen,

dkattau · Dec 16, 2011

I didn't mean to start a war. I was shown how to rebuild these valves by guys that worked on JD before they had more than 2 cyl. I guess that I was made to work on them because it was a rite of passage. Used to bet a six pack on it, I was 18. Scott, sounds like you're an intelligent person. Don't be afraid to tackle a job. Take it apart, lay it out. That's how we all learn. Unless you do something realy off the wall you're not gonna hurt that valve. Discretion and moderators keep me from saying it like it is, you're probably gonna f--- it up the first time, so did I. Do it again. And again until you get it right. Don't be afraid of it. Once you figure out how it works, its as simple as walking. I spelled really wrong.

ben brown · Dec 17, 2011

i have done a couple of the steering valves can be done with out all the special tools that said. first thing i do is go up front by fuel tank switch the power steering lines so it steers backwards. if it was hard steering to the right is should be hard steering to the left. if it is still hard steering to the right you know it in the steering motor under the fuel tank. that way you well know where to start learned that the hard way did a steering valve just to find out it was the motor that needed fixed though i did learn how to do one.

Tx Jim · Dec 17, 2011

Scott Sonnier
Good luck with your rebuild. Remember to keep in mind which 2 valves are pressure and which 2 are return. Let us know how it goes.

BHancock · Jan 27, 2022

Hydraulic pump decided to quit on my old (I think a 1966/67 model)4020. I've replaced the pump but now it seems I've got air in the system and steering to the left is very difficult. I've not yet been able to get any improvement by bleeding the system. Any ideas what I might have done and remedy to my problem?

Tx Jim · Jan 27, 2022

Over the yrs many hyd pumps have been replaced without performing ""proper diagnostics"'' only to determine that the replaced pump was not the problem. You need to check stand-by pressure if you haven't already performed that task. Pressure should be 2250 psi.

Jim.ME · Jan 27, 2022

Tx Jim Is right on diagnostics first.

Do you have the service manual for your tractor? It will have the diagnostic info you need to start with.

And you really should start a post of your own, rather than being on page two of an 11 year old post.

Tx Jim · Jan 28, 2022

I wonder what the results were when Scott Sonnier author of this thread completed his steering valve repair? I guess we will never know if he doesn't reply.

I just noticed this thread originated 10 YEARS AGO. I wish after 3 months pass threads on all discussion forums would be locked so they can be viewed BUT can't be replied to

This post was edited by Tx Jim on 01/28/2022 at 03:20 am.

Jim.ME · Jan 28, 2022

(quoted from post at 07:14:31 01/28/22) I wonder what the results were when Scott Sonnier author of this thread completed his steering valve repair? I guess we will never know if he doesn't reply.

I just noticed this thread originated 10 YEARS AGO. I wish after 3 months pass threads on all discussion forums would be locked so they can be viewed BUT can't be replied to

This post was edited by Tx Jim on 01/28/2022 at 03:20 am.

Locking after 3 months with no activity might not be a bad idea.
Perhaps ones where someone is actually working on and posting about, something regularly over an extended time could stay unlocked.

4020 steering problem

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