Char Lynn power assist steering

Old Iron · Nov 23, 2012

For years the Char lynn power assist steering on my Farmall M (w/loader) has worked great.
This summer the steering wheel started kind of acting like it was having "spasms" whenever I turned the steering wheel after the tractor had warmed up.

The reservoir is not low on fluid.

This winter I'll have some time to get it into the shop, any ideas what might be causing this erratic steering after the tractor warms up and anything in particular I should look for?

gene bender · Nov 24, 2012

Have you contacted Char-Lynn.

notjustair · Nov 24, 2012

You have probably seen my posts on Char Lynn over the last couple of weeks. I've finally gotten mine up and running.

Does yours use it's own pump or a diverter from the hydraulics? There really isn't anything in the torque motor to go bad. I would suspect the supply. If it has it's own pump it could have a plugged filter and be starving for fluid. If it is off the main hydraulics your pump may be getting weak. Is it only at lower idle? Only after it is hot? Is it better in the cold weather?

Old Iron · Nov 24, 2012

(quoted from post at 10:34:17 11/24/12) You have probably seen my posts on Char Lynn over the last couple of weeks. I've finally gotten mine up and running.

Does yours use it's own pump or a diverter from the hydraulics? There really isn't anything in the torque motor to go bad. I would suspect the supply. If it has it's own pump it could have a plugged filter and be starving for fluid. If it is off the main hydraulics your pump may be getting weak. Is it only at lower idle? Only after it is hot? Is it better in the cold weather?

Thanks for the replies.

It does it after it gets warmed up, when it's cold it works OK.

It does have it's own pump, and seems to act up regardless of the RPM's after it gets warmed up good.

I haven't really had time to look it over yet, except for doing a quick check to make sure it was full of fluid. I didn't notice a filter, where is it located?

Old Iron · Nov 24, 2012

(quoted from post at 06:52:25 11/24/12) Have you contacted Char-Lynn.

I didn't think about them, I didn't even know they were still making those pumps.

notjustair · Nov 24, 2012

I haven't replaced my filter, but my understanding is that it is in the bottom of the reservoir. I could see the top of it when I worked on mine. Probably should have changed it. I know you can order them from several parts places.

That sounds like a weak pump or plugged filter to me. I'd start with the filter and go from there. Go buy yourself a one dollar turkey baster and suck the fluid from the reservoir. I don't advocate stealing the one from the kitchen.

Those pumps were supposedly used on lots of cars (old Fords) so getting one shouldn't be bad. I have heard tell that it was common for those to act weird or not get enough pressure at idle, but mine steers with one finger no matter the rpm.

mkirsch · Nov 24, 2012

I would suspect the pump first.

Char-lynn is now owned by Eaton, BTW.

Old Iron · Nov 24, 2012

Thanks fellas, I now have an idea of what to look for.

Char Lynn power assist steering

Old Iron

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gene bender

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notjustair

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Old Iron

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Old Iron

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notjustair

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mkirsch

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Old Iron

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