4500 TLB Power Steering Problem

berky · Sep 26, 2014

Like most 4500's the power steering system leaves a lot to be desired. Mine is a 66 with the remote canister. It was working but the pump began to develop some leaks. Bought a seal kit and installed it the other day. Took care of the leaks, but now it steers harder than before. I am wondering if the spool valve at the back of the pump may be the problem. Anyone have any ideas or anything I can try to diagnosis the problem?

Steve@Advance · Sep 26, 2014

The valve in the back is a pressure relief valve. It could very well be the problem. Be sure it is not turned backward, if that is even possible. Also did the repair kit come with a new spring? If so was it different from the original one? Shorter, smaller wire diameter? Any shims under the original? If so, put the original one back in as it was.

berky · Sep 26, 2014

Steve, thanks for your reply. Kit did not come with spring, used original and no shims were there when I took it apart. The spool/relief will only fit one way. Do you know on which side you would shim the spring to increase pressure? Wondering if after cleaning everthing out the relief is working as it should and may be releaving pressure sooner than in the past. Pump has to be worn after all these years and thinking I may be able to kick up the pressure and compensate for the wear and make it steer somewhat easier.

Steve@Advance · Sep 26, 2014

Shimming the spring will only help if it is relieving pressure too soon. At this point you really don't want to be guessing at such things. The shop manual will tell what the pump pressure should be. They typically run around 1200PSI.

Sometimes you can hear the relief valve when it's open, the sound it makes when the steering is turned hard against the stop and the pump begins to howl. If it's making the howling sound before the steering is against the stop, increasing the pressure might help, again best to test, not guess.

If the pump never goes into relief, that is a sign either the pump is weak, the cylinder seal is bypassing, or the directional valve is not sending full fluid the direction it needs to go.

Other factors could be binding in the steering, dry bushings, metal to metal bushings, bent components, or if there is a front loader it will make for very high demands on the steering.

4500 TLB Power Steering Problem

berky

Member

Steve@Advance

Well-known Member

berky

Member

Steve@Advance

Well-known Member

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