I replaced a damaged steering pump pressure hose on my RTV900. When I took the hose off the steering controller, the black fitting came off with it. I didn't see guts (springs, balls, etc.) come out with. I go to screw the fitting back in and it doesn't go all the way in. So I stick an inspection camera up the port and see a fork and ball. I don't see a spring on the fork but the camera isn't that great. I push a screw diver up the port and the fork and ball come out. Maybe there was a spring on the fork, but I don't see it anywhere. Of course, it could have fallen out and I didn't notice it and can't find it. So I manage to get the ball and fork stuffed back up in the steering controller with some transmission assembly lube. The black fitting now goes in and seats properly. But I have no power steering. The pump doesn't get hot and doesn't make any noise. Anyone have a parts breakdown of the steering controller? I checked the RTV 900 WSM and FRS but no luck. Thanks.
RTV 900 Steering Controller Breakdown
- Thread starter GaryBDavis
- Start date
North Idaho Wolfman
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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
That is not considered a rebuildable unit, so lack of prints for internal parts.
See if you can find a local steering gear shop to see if they can help.
Other option is to replace unit.
See if you can find a local steering gear shop to see if they can help.
Other option is to replace unit.
I had the exact same thing happen to me yesterday. Any updates or new suggestions?
I'm driving it around without power steering. It doubles as an upper body workout.
But seriously, I need to take the controller out and see if I can fix it on the bench. Maybe if I have it upside down, I can get the parts back in correctly. If not, I'll bite the bullet and buy a replacement. The pump isn't getting hot so I don't think I'm damaging it.
It's going to be a pain to do as I have to take off the roll bar and dash along with all the wiring I've added.
But seriously, I need to take the controller out and see if I can fix it on the bench. Maybe if I have it upside down, I can get the parts back in correctly. If not, I'll bite the bullet and buy a replacement. The pump isn't getting hot so I don't think I'm damaging it.
It's going to be a pain to do as I have to take off the roll bar and dash along with all the wiring I've added.
Update: Yes it's a pain. Not as bad if you don't have the full cab but ours did. 1 hr to take the cab and everything off, 4 hrs to get it all together again. Once I had the steering valve out I removed the fitting and holding the valve sideways, tried to put the ball in a niche that looked right. Put everything together, didn't work. Took it apart again, couldn't find the ball. I thought it might have moved in the hoses to the pump and was not happy. Priced a new controller ($950) then decided I had nothing to lose. I indexed the pieces of the controller with a paint marker and dissassembled it. It is held together by the for JIC fittings and by the bolt that looks just like a plug. I was reluctant to do this because I know with hydraulic motors it's very easy to be off by just a little bit when you tighten the bolts and that can cause failure. Anyway, once I had it apart I found the ball again. Put it back together and this time held the valve upside down and dropped it in the orifice. Put the fork back in, everything back together and tried again. This time the power steering works. Hopefully it will continue to work.
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After having done all that, here is my 'theory' for how the ball and fork work: The valve sits mostly upside down, so gravity holds the ball on the top of the fork. The oil flows constantly through the pressure line but it is so slow it does not move the ball which balances on the top of the fork. When the steering wheel is turned it lets oil flow just enough faster that the ball is pushed up to the orifice and blocks it. This then makes the oil flow through the side ports to the steering cylinder left or right. Once the wheel stops it returns to eqilibrium and the ball falls down again.
Anyway it works for now. It leaks a tiny bit of oil because I didn't put any gasket maker on the surfaces of the valve when reassembling but I decided to quit while I was ahead. There should be no reason to disassemble the valve at all if you put it in right the first time.
Anyway it works for now. It leaks a tiny bit of oil because I didn't put any gasket maker on the surfaces of the valve when reassembling but I decided to quit while I was ahead. There should be no reason to disassemble the valve at all if you put it in right the first time.
Hello there I work at Kubota dealer and had same thing happen other week wasn’t to sure what to do but ended up you need to take the pump out it’s not to bad of a job then hold the pump upside down put ball in the p port followed by the fork and throw the pump back in. All should work after that will show picture of direction of fork. Also have a used steering pump with 500hrs if anyone needs one will sell for 450
