L 5240 Nightmare steering problems

[Craftybigdog-:)]

Ok guys I have a L5240. Out of the blue my steering just went wouldn't do anything. On the jack I could just move the wheels left or right by hand without the tractor running. So I replaced the steering box. Well actually I took the original apart. There is zero guidance how to reassemble it. So my dealer had one that was good he took off a L 4 series. Put that on still same problem. So I order steering cylinder repack kit. I put that on today and it didn't want to turn left or right. It was like one or the other side wasn't relieving. Eventually it popped the big C clip loose and blew a seal and yes hydraulic fluid everywhere. So I'm out of ideas here. I really need it asap but I don't want to take it to the dealer. So any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Lets clear up a few things:
That model does not have a steering box, it has a steering controller, as it has hydrostatic steering.

Pressure and flow both play a role in the system, it also has it's own pump section to run it.
If you got the WSM it should have the testing procedure.

Just randomly putting a different controller on it (even if externally they look the same) might not work at all, as all the models are built differently and require different input pressures and output pressures.

I would say you have lines swapped, or as I stated it's not the right controller, that's the only reason I could think that you would blow the seals out of the steering cylinder.

Get the WSM and follow the testing and repair procedure in it.

 

[Craftybigdog-:)]

So I go out to the tractor it has no steering cylinder in it so the 2 lines from the steering controller. I start the tractor when I turn the steering wheel right fluid comes out of the left hose and when I turn left fluid comes out from the right hose. It feels like when one side is pressuring the other is not realeving to return. So steering controller seems to be working properly. Do I need to bleed the hydraulic system? Cause when I raise my loader empty it jumps a little bit the whole way up. Thank you

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

It's self bleeding, If it continues to do it, you whole problem right from the start is probably a suction side issue.
I'd bet it's pulling air in, and the pumps are getting air in them, the steering section of the pump probably was getting enough air that it quit pumping, hence why you lost steering.
Do you still have the old controller and is it intact?
I Would reinstall the old controller and look at all the suction lines and filters, they are hard to find leaks as they usually wont leak fluid, one tell tale sign is wet spots.
Most just check rubber lines, but it, splits and wear marks in hard lines that can cause you issues too.

If you don't have the original controller to put back on, it would really help to know what exact model the other controller is off of in order to know if its truly compatible.

 

[Craftybigdog-:)]

Thank you. I will check for leaks. Probablly why all the foaming in the hydraulic fluid.

 

[Bulldog]

Foam sounds like air. May have a crack in the suction line.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Yes, foaming is a good indication of air in the system.