Update. Swing control valve disassembled. Spool removed and inspected. I have seen nothing remarkable...that is to say, all parts look OK, spring not broken, etc. The only thing that caught me off guard was the amount of "sediment" in the cap. It appeared to be at the bottom of the spring as well, so I'm wondering if that sediment would have prevented the spring from compressing? The sediment was just that...a black sediment. The ports of this valve did expel hydraulic fluid when I took the hoses off. The tractor is 19 years old, so sediment would not surprise me.
I have re-assembled and could press that spool down now even though it is not attached to the backhoe unit yet. I did not try to depress it prior to taking it apart...wish I would have. Maybe it will go now since there is no fluid.
Here's the dis-assembled valve. And, by the way, it was easy to take apart. Fortunately, I had purchased a set of hex bits; otherwise, I would've been "...without a paddle."
Any speculations are always welcomed.
TG
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