Bx2380 steering issue

[spanky2380]

Starting around 75 hours I started to have an issue with my steering. Turning the wheel it would make a thump feel and you could see the front tires jerk when it was either turned around the 10 o'clock or 2 o'clock position. Also if you turned the steering wheel in either direction slowly the wheels wouldn't move unless it was turned fast. This would happen when the tractor has been running for a least an hour and a half getting the fluid nice and warm. Took it to the dealer at 100 hours and they determined it was the steering valve below the steering wheel. They replaced it and was fine for three weeks and today it's back doing the same thing but also now has a squeal/wine sound around 90% turn of the steering wheel left or right and can feel both hoses going to the front steering cylinder vibrate when it squeals/wines. Fluid level is full. I'm really scratching my head on this one. Any ideas? I'm wondering if a clogged hydraulic filter would cause this but have no other hydraulic issues. Filter was changed at 50 hours. Like I mentioned above, it really seems to show when the fluid is hot like when I've been mowing for awhile. Also today when I was mowing I was turning the steering wheel at a normal speed and a few times the tires didn't turn.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

How many hours total are on the tractor.
When was the last time the filter screen was cleaned?
Try moving the three point lever when your having steering issues and see how it reacts.
Does it have a loader?

 

[spanky2380]

How many hours total are on the tractor.
When was the last time the filter screen was cleaned?
Try moving the three point lever when your having steering issues and see how it reacts.
Does it have a loader?

115hrs. Filter screen hasn't been cleaned as of yet. Only new filter installed at 50 hours. Was going to do a fluid change next month even though the manual says 300 hours. It does have a loader. Only test I could try moving the 3 point would be when I turn the steering wheel slowly without the wheels moving because the sequel/whine happens quickly but I can't keep it at one spot where it's constant. The strange thing is the problem went away after they replaced the steering valve and has been fine for three weeks until today. Wonder if the valve they replaced could be defective.

 

[whitetiger]

Your dealership must be inexperienced with the BX series tractors; your problem is that the steering cylinder needs to be replaced.

 

[spanky2380]

Your dealership must be inexperienced with the BX series tractors; your problem is that the steering cylinder needs to be replaced.

That was what I mentioned to them it might be that the first time last month. Strange it would fail with the low hours. But they said it was ok and the steering valve needed replacement. If it truly is bad why was everything fine for three weeks and all of a sudden today it's doing the same thing. Loader, 3 point and hst work fine.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

@whitetiger knows these tractors better than any of us.
Have the dealer fix it.

 

[spanky2380]

@whitetiger knows these tractors better than any of us.
Have the dealer fix it.

@whitetiger I agree. That was my first thought the first time around. Has you ever seen one fail this early? This all started at 75 hours.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I agree. That was my first thought the first time around. Has anyone ever seen one fail this early? This all started at 75 hours.

Yea, It happens.

 

[spanky2380]

Yea, It happens.

I should mention one other thing I noticed. If I turn the steering wheel in either direction to the stops and hold the steering wheel there I can see the wheels creep back in the other direction.

 

[whitetiger]

Yes, I have found a few that failed at low hours.
If you can turn the steering wheel slowly and the wheels do not turn, the cylinder has failed 99.99% of the time.

 

[spanky2380]

Yes, I have found a few that failed at low hours.
If you can turn the steering wheel slowly and the wheels do not turn, the cylinder has failed 99.99% of the time.

@whitetiger Thank you for your knowledge and help. I mentioned that like I said the first time to the dealer and he said it does sound like that's the issue as well until his tech looked at it. He also said that we rebuild them which I was wondering if that's what they do for warranty instead of installing a new one?

 

[whitetiger]

We replace them under warranty.