Power Steering wander

Gaden · #1 05-12-2015, 07:27 PM

Last week, I noticed the steering on my 1872 started acting up. I can turn the wheel for a half revolution or so with no response. Not every time, but a lot of the time, even with the engine off the wheel will turn freely for a bit until it (seemingly) builds pressure and then works normally. I started reading up,first my manual, then Parker hydraulics's (word for word the same, CC has drawings, Parker has pictures),then Oak's very good thread on a rebuild, and even found a forum where a guy had the exact same problem (no leaks, just no immediate response) but no answer as to what was going on. I have already ordered the seal kit from Amazon. For anyone interested, 'John Deere Original Equipment Seal Kit #AM107078' for $58.95, best price I found through hours of looking. I also ordered a spring kit because why the hell not? I am hoping to be able to wait until after the spring rains to tear into this as a few days makes a hell of a difference in grass height. (Duh!) My question is, can I be assured that this will fix my problem, or is there something else I need to do? As most parts are NLA, I'm hoping it's the former rather than the latter.

dale c. · #2 05-12-2015, 10:31 PM

I had a 1882 that acted identical to yours ,I put a used ps cyl. on it and it fixed it

Oak · #3 05-12-2015, 10:53 PM

I've not done one yet but Kelly (Cubs & Boxers) has replaced the O ring in the cylinder on a few. He cut it open on a lathe, replaced the O ring and welded it back up. Let us know how it goes and good luck.

Does anyone know what size and type of O ring these take?

cubs-n-bxrs · #4 05-13-2015, 10:56 AM

Oak I do not remember what size the o-ring was on the piston. Its been a couple years since I have done one. They are a standard viton o-ring. I do remember they used 2 different sizes of o-rings. The one I did on my 1572 was a thin cross section o-ring and the one I did for Vince's super was a much thicker cross section. Not sure why.

Gaden · #5 05-13-2015, 10:58 AM

You're saying it's the cylinder instead of the PS unit? Bear with me, as I know absolutely nothing about these systems, or hydraulics, for that matter, but it seems that if it were the cylinder, it (the wander) would be continuous and not intermittent.

CubDieselFan · #6 05-13-2015, 11:04 AM

I have never had this issue, but if it seems like the cylinder to me. The no response could be oil blowing past the cylinder's piston. How many hours on your mower?

When I bought my 1572, I got all the receipts that the PO, since new, had. He had a small yard and there were 3 receipts for new steering cylinders. They are still available for $188.00.

FrankF3 · #7 05-14-2015, 02:43 PM

My 1572 had this problem years ago. It got so bad that if I were mowing cross ways to a slight incline, I needed to keep turning the steering wheel to keep it going straight. While going straight, you could turn the wheel with no action on the direction of the wheels. I parked the tractor after this uneasy run, then disconnected 1 hose on the power steering cylinder. I started it up and turned the steering wheel so that the opposite end of the power steering cylinder would be pressurized with oil. The shaft on the power steering cylinder did not move as described before, BUT oil ran out of the disconnected port of the cylinder going right on by the piston. A new cylinder under warranty fixed the problem once and for all. Now that I'm thinking of it, wasn't there a recall on the power steering cylinders? I'll have to look in my file folder to see if I have the bulletin for it.

Gaden · #8 05-14-2015, 06:47 PM

I ordered a new cylinder this morning, I don't have the equipment to repair the old one. I took it to a shop and the bill was going to be upwards of $100, found one for $171, so I bit the bullet. At over 1500 hrs, I don't think it did too bad.

J-Mech · #9 05-14-2015, 08:45 PM

You want rid of the old one? If so, PM me.

Just as a note, a hydraulic power steering system like this isn't a "positive" system. So, when the tractor is off, you WILL have to spin the wheel a lot to get it to steer the tractor. Also, when it's running and your using it, the wheel will "creep". In other words, if you have a spinner knob on it, it will not always be in the same place. Most of these systems the wheel slowly works itself clockwise, IIRC.