Power steering problem

[Peregrine Foxfire]

Hi everyone,

I bought an L4610 about a month ago and it has been leaking hydraulic fluid from the power steering ever since I got it. After ignoring it, other than topping off hydraulic fluid, it finally gave way. Now I can only turn the wheels in one direction, to the left, but if I turn the wheel right nothing happens.

Getting down there and assessing the situation, there appears to be a seal on the front side of the steering cylinder that has come loose and it slides freely along the cylinder. I talked to the guys at the kubota parts store and I think I just need to push it back in and install a new snap ring to hold it in place.

I have the snap ring but need some advice on how to go about this task. Do I need a special pair of pliers to open the ring? Will I need to somehow compress the seal to get the ring in place? I realize I should probably take it out and replace all o-rings and seals but for now I just need to get it operational TODAY so I can finish field work for planting.

Thanks in advance for your help. I will send a picture when I get out there.

Cheers,
Peregrine

 

[Motion]

I can't help on your particular model but would suggest getting the correct WSM which would aid in this and other repairs that will come up. Good luck

 

[Russell King]

You will have to get it over the rod I assume by pushing the ends apart and then just force it onto the rod.

I assume then it has to go into the end of the cylinder and into a groove so has ears with holes towards the inner diameter of the ring. They do make special pliers to get the ears closer together so the ring becomes a smaller diameter and fits into the groove. That tool will make your life much better for this job.

They are called snap ring pliers and come in different sizes and some are for internal rings (what I assume you need) and external ring style. There are some that are for both but they don’t work very well but can be used if that’s all you can find. You may be able to borrow some from an auto parts store?

You may be able to use needle nose pliers but that can get frustrating since the snap ring wants to slip off the pliers.

Wear safety glasses when doing this

 

[NCL4701]

Definitely need the snap ring pliers. Even a cheap $10 set with changeable tips for inside/outside is 1000 times better than needle nose or anything else.