L5030 hard steering. (New Member)

[Rochdw]

L5030 hard steering. Please Help.

Hello all,

I recently purchased a used L5030 4x4 with FEL it has about 2200 hours on it and seems to be in pretty decent shape paid $6800 for it. I have been going through it and fixing small things that are broken and changing all the fluids ect. One thing I noticed is that the power steering seems to be "stiff" it does have some power steering but just not as easy as it should be. The loader ect works perfectly so I know its not the hydraulic pump. No weird sounds while steering just stiff. I have been researching it and have learned that it could be 1 of 3 things either the seal in the center of the hydraulic cylinder, the control box assembly or the control valve on top of the hydraulic pump. I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction or maybe tell me how I can test to see what may be causing my problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,


Just tried raising the front tires off the ground. Steering is the same no easier, steering wheel does stop at full turn in both directions.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Lets clear up a few things right away:
I doesn't have power steering, it has hydrostatic steering, yes there is a difference.
Just because the loader works doesn't mean the pump is good, it's a 2 section pump and the second section only runs steering and GST shifting.

Your problems could Be:
1: Mechanical part of the tractors steering system, either before the steering controller ( bad univeral joints, bad bearings on steering shaft, making the steering wheel just turn hard) or after the cylinder (bad joints and pivots on the axle ends)

2: Worn or faulty pump

3: Faulty or maladjusted regulator

4: Worn or faulty steering controller

5: Blown seals on cylinder

If you get the WSM for your tractor it will give you testing and troubleshooting directions.
As luck would have it, I have a copy of the WSM, I'll send you a link to download it.

 

[Rochdw]

Thank you Wolfman for your reply. I do have a WSM but I did not see the section covering adjustment of the regulator, but I will look again I'm sure I just looked over it. I did not know that the hydraulic pump has two sections that is good to know, that being said my tractor does have the GST style transmission and it seems to ship properly. I will disconnect the steering shaft from the controller this evening just to rule out a possible bad u-joint or bearing/bushing. Also I am going to test the center seal on the cylinder by removing one of the hoses and checking for fluid flow.

 

[Rochdw]

Could someone please explain to me how to check and set the regulator valve for the hydrostatic steering or refer me to the right section in the WSM? I found the section explaining how to set the PTO clutch circuit pressure, does that procedure also set the steering pressure or is it a separate procedure?

Thanks in advance...

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

3-M17
It's worded funky, 427psi to the Power steering controller when not turning.
and it's adjusted the same as the GST regulator adjustment.

Oh and I apologize they do call it power steering in the manuals, I'm used to the other way (that's the way they referred to it when there was a controller involved, apposed to a steering box.

 

[Rochdw]

No problem Wolfman. I think I have it all figured out, when I get off of work today I am going to check the pressures. I am an instrument guy in a chemical plant and I was able to borrow a digital test gauge good for 2000psi. If you get a chance could you send me that link you have for the WSM. I have one but it must not be the same one you have because 3-M17 is not the way mine is numbered. I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[Rochdw]

I apologize Wolfman I see now you already sent me the link in a private message. Sorry I am still learning how this website works. Thanks,

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

No Problem.

 

[tmwfreeman]

I have an L3000 with a FEL with basically the same problem (hard to steer) but I don't have a WSM to troubleshoot. Should I check the same components (e.g. Pump, Regulator etc..). I also have hydraulic leaks on both lift cylinders on the FEL (bad seals) and my plan was to remove the FEL temporarily to remove these leaks from the equation.

 

[Adirondack]

I have an L3000 with a FEL with basically the same problem (hard to steer) but I don't have a WSM to troubleshoot. Should I check the same components (e.g. Pump, Regulator etc..). I also have hydraulic leaks on both lift cylinders on the FEL (bad seals) and my plan was to remove the FEL temporarily to remove these leaks from the equation.

Before you do anything, remove and inspect the suction hose that feeds the pump. I have had a bad one on both my L3400 and L5240. The 5240 was causing me grief. Steering was difficult and seemed to work sporadically. Then the loaded seemed to lack power also, pointing to a common problem. It's a cheap fix.

Sometimes the cracks are difficult to see, which is why I recommend removing the hose completely for inspection.