L4310 Steering Assy loose

[Demodiver]

I just bought an L4310, 4x4, HST with a LA681 loader on it. It's got about 2,000hrs total.

I noticed the front tires would move around a little before buying it and took a look. I found a couple tie rods that were worn out and figured that is the cause. Got it home and started into it and I found that the steering assembly moves around on the main shaft. The power steering unit is leaking too.

Here's my main question before tearing into this. Are the bushings (parts 070) likely culprits of the play on the shaft or is this more likely the shaft itself (150) or the bracket (020)? Diagram attached.

Is this a common issue? Is there a rebuild kit or are parts hard to find, etc...?

Thank you!

 

[D2Cat]

Welcome! No way of knowing without getting to it, but the bushing should wear before the steel shaft. Parts should be available at your nearest dealer, or Messicks or Coleman Equipment are dealers and will mail out parts.

My BIL has the same tractor. It's a workhorse!

 

[ruger1980]

There's really quite a bit that can wear in the steering assembly. And those areas probably don't see the amount of grease that they should. Yes the bushing 070 and the shaft can be worn as well as the thrust washers. I suspect you will find all the bushings both 070 as well as the bushings in the rod and barrel side of the steering cylinder worn. I have see the tie rods also loose in the steering arms and that makes for a bad situation as they will never be tight once the tapered hole is wallowed out.
Worst case scenario is that the pins have wallowed out the bores in the front frame. The only way to fix that is a new frame or welding and boring them back to size.

Tell us how yours is once you get it apart. I will let you know how bad mine is whenever I get to tearing it down.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I just bought an L4310, 4x4, HST with a LA681 loader on it. It's got about 2,000hrs total.

I noticed the front tires would move around a little before buying it and took a look. I found a couple tie rods that were worn out and figured that is the cause. Got it home and started into it and I found that the steering assembly moves around on the main shaft. The power steering unit is leaking too.

Here's my main question before tearing into this. Are the bushings (parts 070) likely culprits of the play on the shaft or is this more likely the shaft itself (150) or the bracket (020)? Diagram attached.

Is this a common issue? Is there a rebuild kit or are parts hard to find, etc...?

Thank you!

Which is leaking?

This is the steering cylinder:

This is the steering controller:

 

[Demodiver]

@D2Cat yeah, it moves around a good bit. I've got the bushings, seals, and washers on order now. Appreciate the feedback. Thanks!

 

[Demodiver]

@ruger1980 thank you for responding. After reading your post I got back under the front for a better look. I think you're right that the shaft may also be worn. I'll get one ordered in the morning. If you look closely in the pic's you can see that the shaft looks like the frame has worn it down some.

 

[Demodiver]

@North Idaho Wolfman The steering cylinder is leaking for sure - I think. The above pic's show the fluid from the cylinder on the pitman arm, etc... If it's not too hard I'll rebuild it. Never done one before, but I do have a local hydraulics shop I can take it too if necessary.
Is there another hydraulic cylinder tucked in there somewhere? If so, I need to take another look to be sure.