MF 175 steering and leaking fuel lines

JBMac · Nov 15, 2010

I'm putting the final touches on my second 175 rebuild. David P, you've been a great help explaining the Power Steering on these 100 series, but heres a new one: When I refilled with fluid and cranked it up, it violently began to turn left to right and vice-versa on its own. I followed the parts manual for a guide, do I have the lines mixed up? And a final question, my fuel lines where they enter the filter housings leak terribly. Are they flanged fittings or is there supposed to be an o-ring or some type of rubber seal in there, parts manual doesnt clarify. Thanks for the help.

John MacLaren

DavidP, South Wales · Nov 16, 2010

Hi John,
Fitting the hoses the wrong way is something that I have managed not to do so far! Can't say for certain but its feasible that the wrong way could cause those problems. As a guide the upper pipe that comes from the pump will go to the forward port on the steering cylinder. Check this and if wrong, change over. It should be OK.
Re the fuel lines, see my reply a few posts below yours. If you have the older type with brass olives it would be advisable to fit new olives to the pipes. If you have the later type with a belling about 1/4" from the end of the pipe you will need rubber sealing sleeves. These can be made but better if you can get them from your MF dealer. If you can't seal the brass olive type you may well need to use some PTFE tape. Ensure that all pipe nuts are not cross threaded.
DavidP

Masseynut(Australia) · Nov 16, 2010

Hello John,
Unlike other contributors here, I'm not perfect, and have inadvertently re-connected these lines "back to front", in my haste. But I never had a reaction as you have described, moreover, the steering ended up "rock solid", with no "assist" whatsoever.
There have been a couple of variations of the control valve fitted to "Fergy's" over the years, some with a check valve in situ. Not sure if this is applicable to your machine, but, my first thought would be that the neutralising spring in this control valve is broken, or missing. This would possibly account for the rapid "shuttling" of the steering left and right. Is this possible? The spring is essential in "centering" the valve, from a working position.
Please let me know your thoughts,
Evan.

DavidP, South Wales · Nov 17, 2010

Hi JB,
A further thought or two on our answers below. If you have disturbed the steering system, have you carried out the adjustment procedure for the power steering precisely? Also please check both steel pipes for any sign of damage that might restrict the oil flow.

DavidP

MF 175 steering and leaking fuel lines

JBMac

Member

DavidP, South Wales

Well-known Member

Masseynut(Australia)

Member

DavidP, South Wales

Well-known Member

Similar threads