TW20 steering

6620

Member
I recently had my tw20 at the dealer to get the steering motor rebuilt. It was working yet leaked. When they took it apart the main shaft was worn so bad that a new motor was needed, the choice was new for $1700.00 or used and rebuilt for $500 plus parts and labor. So I opted for the used. When the tractor was done I went to get it. I went to move the tractor and noticed how hard the steering was. Thought well it is cold outside, maybe it will warm up and steer smoothly. I could usually steer the tractor with one finger. Now I have to grip and pull. So I called the dealer, told him how stiff it was. He said it was probably the spindles. I told him I wouldn't be driving the tractor till spring. He said he would stand behind it. I don't think it is the spindles, cause it turned easy before they worked on it. Any ideas of what could be wrong with the rebuild? Thanks
 
Don't know what is wrong with it, but one thing for sure, it's not right!

I would not wait until spring, take it back immediately. Come spring, they will be real busy, hard to get warranty done with paying customers waving money at them.

Also, just because he "said" they would stand behind it, don't believe him. What if he's not there come spring?

Switching the blame to the spindles is a red flag! Before approving replacing the spindle bushings, do some research, make sure they are greased and free. Jack it up and feel them turn before going back, then you can ask them to prove to you they are frozen while you watch.
 
Check the usual things first. 1) Does the pump reservoir have full oil? 2) Is the system air locked? Jack up the front end and with engine running turn the steering wheel full lock to lock many times.

Less easily checked is the correct plumbing connections to the steering motor. Did the pressure input and return lines get reversed? (Don't know if this is possible??)

When we got our 9000 back from the dealer many years ago, we found the left brake would not fully release, but yet the tractor was drivable, but the left trumpet housing was getting hot. After a lot of searching we found that their mechanic had put a plug into the left brake line to keep the master cylinder from draining while the tractor was split. We found the plug, removed it and everything worked fine. Maybe a plug was inserted and forgotten in one of the power steering lines?

Good Luck with the diagnosis and fix.

I sure don't believe the "spindles" smoke.


Paul in MN
 
Thanks, I thought the spindles BS was just that BS. The oil reservoir was the first thing I checked. I also had them change out the filter in the reservoir, I was curious if it is possible for that to have been put on backwards?? I will check out the other possibilities you mentioned, thanks for the advice.
 
If your ps pump passes muster it?s likely the orbital valve reassembled wrong or the wrong spec part in there.

TW uses that on block open centre steering pump and reservoir doesn?t it?
 
Mine actually did rust up and was tight for turning, but that won't happen the way you had it go. I bought mine that way and didn't know better, thought something was wrong with the power steering and was just the spindles so rusted up the neighborhood mechanic used an entire jug of penetrating oil and several hours to work them loose.

What happened recently is the thrust bearings at the bottom wore gone, so the hub was basically pivoting on the cast.

But, I would guess something they did isn't quite right, and I'd want them to stand behind it now, not later, as a lot of folk get real forgetful over winter.....

Paul
 
TW20 uses same steering pump as Case and ih tractors and is not something to dissemble any further than needed. Top can be carefully removed and steering shaft polished w/emery to smooth up seal surface then reassembled w/new seal kit Case part # A47038 and A43566 ring using seal protector special tools. Carefully replace lower rotor seal next, evenly torquing retainer bolts while turning steering shaft back and forth.Steering binding can also be in column.
 
Dawg, "Steering binding can also be in column" in the steering column above the steering motor? It worked fine before the rebuild, except that it leaked a lot. Is it possible that the plumbing is incorrect? Thanks for your reply.
 
Ken, thanks for your reply, I have no idea about the open centre??? But I do know that it was working fine except for the leaking. Before it went to the shop, My other tractor TW5 had the steering motor rebuilt when I first bought it, and a few months later it just blew out would not hold oil and would not steer. I had taken it to this same dealer for the repair of that blow out. They claimed the prior shop put the wrong gasket (thin) in the wrong place. It has worked fine ever since. Thanks
 
Well, I went and tested the steering again on my TW20. First I checked to see if the hydrolic lines were in the right place, and they were. When I backed it out of the shed, it steered much easier than it had when I got it home! So I thought well maybe I should just drive it around for a while, see if it gets any better.
So I took it out in the field drove left and right stop to stop. I could steer it with one finger, but I could tell it was stiffer than what it used to be. Therefore, I stopped, turned it left and right, it would turn about half way then the steering wheel would not turn much but would shutter. Like you were waiting for the fluid to push the cylinder.
At that point, I went ahead, lifted the front end, and turned it back and forth lock to lock. At idle, you could turn it with just one finger, but it was not near as easy as it used to be. Even had my wife turn it back and forth while I watched for whatever to happen. I still don?t think it is right. But, am wondering if they (the tractor dealer), is just going to tell me that is as good as it is going to get.
I checked my other tractor (TW5), even cold it steered better than the TW20.
Any other thoughts? Thanks
 
Well the tractor went back to the shop yesterday. I also discovered a hydraulic oil leak that they had fixed when they had it in the shop is leaking. So maybe they will fix that too. I hope.
 

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