No Power Steering

Let me bring this issue over here.......'cause I think I'm drivin' 'em nuts over n the Red Power board. :>)

5488 no power steering assist. Engine does not "labor" whatsoever and no noises.....it's as though there is no connect between the hydraulic assist and the manual pump. Everything else hydraulically works as advertised. Just no help on the steering. :>(

I know I should put a pressure gauge on the goofy thing (don't have one). The PTO engages, and both the hydraulic warning lights go out as they should. So, I "think" I have pressure?

I jacked the front end off the ground. Doesn't seem to be any binding at the front end. Manual steering does not slip at all, although it is still a little tough to turn.

I've replaced both belly filters, been all through that flow divider and the PS relief valves.....everything seems to be in order there. Absolutely no contamination or metal pieces in the oil.

There is oil pressure to the cooler and the hydraulic seat works good.

What would be the symptoms of a bad manual pump? If the steering cylinder was leaking inside, I'd have some slippage of the steering wheel wouldn't I? How would a guy eleminate these two items from the 'problem list'?

I don't mind buying that expensive pump, but I want to make darned sure that is the culprit first.

Oh and one more thing; the brakes seem a little 'lazy' to me.

Any advice would be welcome,

Allan

Allen i have never been into and 88 sires so here i am no expert . But it would have to be a flow issue . Now your system is the closed center one and myself i do not have the stuff to do a closed system . Pete or owen has worked on these systems and would know more then me . I am heading out to do corn wright now and if ya don't get it figured out i will bring my books in and take a look and see what i can come up with . To test those systems ya need a Flow rater ( that i have) and the analyzer ( that i don't have ) .And at my age i doubt that i buy one now . I will stick with the open center systems .Those i can fix.

Thanks TV,

I just talked to Mike in Illinois. He told me to take a pressure reading there behind the left cab lite and if I don't see 235 to 300 lbs of regulated pressure, it is almost a certainty that the pump is shot.

Especially so since this thing did not have a relief valve in the back filter. He also said that these pumps NEVER go out unless some fool left the relief valve off or installed the filter backwards (like the front filter mounts).

Said that since this pump is a bottom feeder, unfiltered oil will chew 'em up in just a few short hours.

So, guess I will test pressure and probably order a $2K pump? Groan!!!

Allan

The steering on those tractors are open center so to speak. The Magnum line of tractors did however use the closed center pfc pump for steering. Like said, you need a gauge but it would not hurt to just unhook the lines at the front steering cylinders and run them into a bucket to see what you get and if it changes when moving steering wheel. You will get some flow even when not steering from both lines. A gauge on the end of those lines would also tell you what pressure is being delivered to cyl.

Big news today is that I found that test port in behind the left cab lite.....now to somehow rig up my tranny gauge to fit tractors. :>)

Allan