BX23 purchased 2003

dvto2

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Equipment
Bx23 and implements
Feb 26, 2019
96
12
8
east granby
I have been having increasing steering problems. The problems started out intermittent where I would spin the wheel a few times and then the steering would engage, to taking more spins, to finally hardly steering at all. This happened over a the course of months. All the hoses under the steering wheel look fine, so I am thinking its the seals in the steering cylinder. Do I try to replace the seals, buy a new cylinder, or what other advice might people have?
 

Henro

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B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini Ex., Beer fridge
May 24, 2019
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Well - the seals are toast.

The kit is not that bad - and to replace the seals is not that bad either.
Here is a post with good info


https://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/threads/bx2350-steering-cylinder-repair.27536/
OR if you do not feel up to rebuilding the cylinder yourself, price a replacement from Kubota, then get a local hydraulic shop to quote a rebuild.

The difference for me, on loader curl cylinders, was over $650 each for a new cylinders, and $100 each to have them rebuilt. Granted, these were not steering cylinders, but the difference is probably representative of what your price difference will be.

Certainly cheapest to do it yourself...maybe fun and rewarding too. I took the easy way out...
 

Toyboy

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BX2230D - RCK60-22BX - BX5450
May 18, 2010
649
971
93
Hayward Wi
I just had mine replaced on my '04 BX2230
The dealer said it was better to just replace the steering cyl ($200) then take the time to rebuild it. Service said the same issue (not properly honed cyl) would just cause the same problem eventually. I had them replace it.
 

dvto2

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Equipment
Bx23 and implements
Feb 26, 2019
96
12
8
east granby
K. Thanks. Question. Where do you put in the power steering fluid once the job is done?
 

Henro

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B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini Ex., Beer fridge
May 24, 2019
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I just had mine replaced on my '04 BX2230
The dealer said it was better to just replace the steering cyl ($200) then take the time to rebuild it. Service said the same issue (not properly honed cyl) would just cause the same problem eventually. I had them replace it.
Wow! For $200 that would be a no brainer!

AND you could keep the old cylinder and take it apart and learn what is inside...
 

Toyboy

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BX2230D - RCK60-22BX - BX5450
May 18, 2010
649
971
93
Hayward Wi
It's all the same as the transmission. Just add whatever is needed to transmission
 

Toyboy

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BX2230D - RCK60-22BX - BX5450
May 18, 2010
649
971
93
Hayward Wi
Wow! For $200 that would be a no brainer!

AND you could keep the old cylinder and take it apart and learn what is inside...
That's the cost of new cyl, labor is separate.
I have one you can play with too. But if it eats the o ring on piston I don't know a good reason to hang on to it.
 

Henro

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B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini Ex., Beer fridge
May 24, 2019
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That's the cost of new cyl, labor is separate.
I have one you can play with too. But if it eats the o ring on piston I don't know a good reason to hang on to it.
Just for educational reasons I suppose if one is so inclined.

I got curious and just checked Messicks for the cost of a replacement for my BX2200 if I should need one. $306 plus shipping and tax.

If I had the need I would probably get a quote on a rebuild at that price and see what the difference was. If a couple hundred I would probably go with the rebuild. Doing the removal and replacement myself naturally.
 

Toyboy

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Equipment
BX2230D - RCK60-22BX - BX5450
May 18, 2010
649
971
93
Hayward Wi
I wonder why the price discrepancy? I've always heard good things about Messicks.
It's $207.14 at Lulich Implement in Mason WI
 

Henro

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B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini Ex., Beer fridge
May 24, 2019
5,781
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North of Pittsburgh PA
I wonder why the price discrepancy? I've always heard good things about Messicks.
It's $207.14 at Lulich Implement in Mason WI
Different model maybe. Mine is a BX2200. Also the number they showed was a replacement for the original. Could the one you referenced be new old stock? Maybe just something different because a different model?

Glad at the moment I do not need one...
 

dvto2

Member

Equipment
Bx23 and implements
Feb 26, 2019
96
12
8
east granby
I think I'd get a new one if its just $200. I actually did not see my exact model on the Messick's website. There is a BX23D and some other BX's but my manual and tractor just says BX23. Again, its a 2003.

Where do you put in the power steering/trans fluid once the job is done?
 

Henro

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B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini Ex., Beer fridge
May 24, 2019
5,781
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North of Pittsburgh PA
I think I'd get a new one if its just $200. I actually did not see my exact model on the Messick's website. There is a BX23D and some other BX's but my manual and tractor just says BX23. Again, its a 2003.

Where do you put in the power steering/trans fluid once the job is done?
It is the same fluid (same sump, or whatever the right term is) as the tractor transmission uses, so you just check level and add as needed.
 

85Hokie

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Jul 13, 2013
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Bedford - VA
Exactly what Henro said - the power steering cylinder is driven off the same pump as the HST and the hydraulic 3 point. Should have a yellow handle dipstick at rear - may need to bleed the air out as you turn the steering several times - this will happen as you use the tractor.
 

Toyboy

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Equipment
BX2230D - RCK60-22BX - BX5450
May 18, 2010
649
971
93
Hayward Wi
Different model maybe. Mine is a BX2200. Also the number they showed was a replacement for the original. Could the one you referenced be new old stock? Maybe just something different because a different model?

Glad at the moment I do not need one...
I would think since the BX models seems to share the same frame I would not think that Kubota would want to have unique steering cylinders for each model.

The different part numbers from the 2200 to the current could mean an updated cyl which could mean different seals, specs or finishes.

Since this covid crap has got delivery's and factories all screwed up, dealer and myself got tired of waiting (3mo) for replacement and they ended up removing one from a new BX and installed on mine to get me operational again.
 

Henro

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B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini Ex., Beer fridge
May 24, 2019
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North of Pittsburgh PA
I would think since the BX models seems to share the same frame I would not think that Kubota would want to have unique steering cylinders for each model.

The different part numbers from the 2200 to the current could mean an updated cyl which could mean different seals, specs or finishes.

Since this covid crap has got delivery's and factories all screwed up, dealer and myself got tired of waiting (3mo) for replacement and they ended up removing one from a new BX and installed on mine to get me operational again.
Sounds like you have a great dealer.

Do not have a clue about how part numbers and physical dimensions change. I think I remember that the steering cylinder that came up at Messicks for my BX2200 was a replacement for the original.

I too would have expected that BXs would share parts pretty much across the board. So I was quite surprised when my spare wheels/tires would fit my son in law's BX23S on the back, but the front wheels would not fit. So some things do change over time it seems.

Happy to hear things worked out well for you.
 

whitetiger

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Kubota tech..BX2370, RCK60, B7100HST, RTV900 w plow, Ford 1100 FWA
Nov 20, 2011
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Kansas City, KS
I think I'd get a new one if its just $200. I actually did not see my exact model on the Messick's website. There is a BX23D and some other BX's but my manual and tractor just says BX23. Again, its a 2003.

Where do you put in the power steering/trans fluid once the job is done?
[/QUOTE

All BX series use the same upgraded steering cylinder #K2063-16500.
 

Henro

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B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini Ex., Beer fridge
May 24, 2019
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Looks like that cylinder is used on around 35 different BX versions, but not on the BX 2200 (or BX1800, BX22? )

At Messicks the BX2200 steering cylinder is listed at $307.69. Part number K2511-16500

Just for future reference if anyone needs this info. Wonder what the difference is?
 

whitetiger

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Looks like that cylinder is used on around 35 different BX versions, but not on the BX 2200 (or BX1800, BX22? )

At Messicks the BX2200 steering cylinder is listed at $307.69. Part number K2511-16500

Just for future reference if anyone needs this info. Wonder what the difference is?
All the BX series steering cylinder part numbers sub to #K2063-16500.
K2511-16500 is no longer available, even from Messicks.
 

whitetiger

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Kubota tech..BX2370, RCK60, B7100HST, RTV900 w plow, Ford 1100 FWA
Nov 20, 2011
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Kansas City, KS
I just had mine replaced on my '04 BX2230
The dealer said it was better to just replace the steering cyl ($200) then take the time to rebuild it. Service said the same issue (not properly honed cyl) would just cause the same problem eventually. I had them replace it.
The steering cylinder problem on BX series tractors has nothing to do with the honing of the barrel.
The barrel gets out of round and or internal corrosion roughs up the barrel and wears out the seal. There are a couple of PSB's discussing these concerns. I just reread them, not a mention of "honing" anywhere.
 
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