Troubleshooting Guide |
Symptom | Potential cause | Solution |
Oil leaking from gear box output shaft |
Damaged shaft seal. | Replace seal and shaft if necessary. |
Fluid leaking out of reservoir or foaming |
Clogged oil filter | Change fluid and filter |
Air in system | Bleed system. Inspect suction side of supply pump for air leak | |
Poppetts of steering gear not adjusted properly causing high temperatures | Adjust poppetts | |
Pump cavitating | Inspect pump supply line for restriction |
|
Fluid overheating | Inspect steering gear return line for restriction |
|
Hard turning in one or both directions |
Bind in steering column | Inspect column drag |
Dirt or debris trapped in piston relief | Inspect piston relief | |
Bent or damaged king pins and tie rods | Repair or replace king pins and tie rods |
|
Front end load too great | Lighten load | |
Low fluid level in steering system | Fill reservoir as needed | |
Air in system | Bleed system and inspect for cause | |
Steering radius restricted | Poppetts not adjusted properly |
Adjust poppetts |
Hard steering | Defective supply pump | Inspect pump flow |
Steering out of alignment | Align front end | |
Fluid overheating | Find and correct overheating cause |
|
High operating temperature |
Fluid flow restriction | Inspect back pressure |
Check maximum oil flow | ||
Road wander/over steering |
Oil flow too high | Pump not to specifications |
Air trapped in gear | Bleed system | |
Looseness worn front end parts |
Inspect and repair as required |
|
Front end alignment not correct |
Align front end | |
Overloaded | Reduce loads | |
Rear axle not parallel | Inspect and repair as needed |
|
Tight tie rod ends and drag link sockets | Inspect rotational torque and replace as needed |