L2250 Steering Play

[KubotaVB]

I have a Kubota L2250 with power steering.

Today we noticed there is about a 120 degree dead spot in the steering when turning the steering wheel. I've tracked it down to the steering gearbox.

On the vehicles I have worked on there is usually a allen screw/lock nut setup on top of the steering gear box to set the pre-load. Is there something like this on my Kubota which can be adjusted?

Thank you

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

There is an adjustment on it, but check all the parts before it, as wear in the gear case, universal joints, and couplings, can lead to a lot of play before it ever get to the steering box.

 

[KubotaVB]

I checked all the other linkages. No play.

What’s the procedure to adjust the gear box?

 

[Pau7220]

Is the play there with the engine running? If it's only there with the engine off, what you're feeling is the spring loaded spool valve at the far end of the steering box.... perfectly normal. That's actually what controls fluid flow for the power assist. With the splined adapter removed from the input shaft, it will actually move in and out of the box 10-12mm when turning back and forth.

 

[Pau7220]

Springs I'm taking about are #160. To check to see if you adjustment is close, get the front wheels off the ground, engine off, center the steering, grab and rock the pitman arm.... you should just be able to feel the sector shaft gear hitting the ball nut gear face. I can get the spec tomorrow but it was about .1-.5mm.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I would tell you to get the WSM for the adjustment procedure, But the WSM for that model is pricey, here is the page out of the newer tractor series, and the adjustment is the same.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Pau7220,
Your pic is too small to make out detail, common issue with grabbed pics, I just do a snip of the pic I want and it will always come out readable.

 

[Pau7220]

I tried grabbing the diagram in Messicks as a PDF.... was very grainy. Here's a link to the page.

https://www.messicks.com/ku/85267?sectionId=218315&diagramId=350337

Kubota VB... pay close attention to that bold note. It's a little hard to feel past the spring loaded spool which gives you a bunch of play.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I tried grabbing the diagram in Messicks as a PDF.... was very grainy.

Try this site, way better pictures and sizable for capture:

https://apps.kubotausa.com/illustrated-parts/

 

[KubotaVB]

Should the steering box be adjusted with the engine off or on? Wheels on the ground or lifted?

I lifted the front wheels off the ground and there was little to no play in the steering wheel. All the play in the steering wheel came back when the wheels were back on the ground.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I do believe it's on the ground running.