What Would Cause a Ford Back Hoe to Stop Steering

1. Looking for some help with a steering issue.
   1984 555A Ford turns to the right seems fine but sometimes going back left turn the wheel a lot before it goes. Would that be an issue with the steering motor. I would think the pump would be an issue in both directions.

2. you have check to see if pump is full? the steering takes the same fluid as transmission and rear end,, there is a filter inside power steering pump, sounds like the pump is low on fluid or filter bad,, trans/hyd is what needed to fill, tractor supply has it, I have a 555A

   1. motor oil, engine
   2. trans/hyd steering, transmission, and rear end
   3 regular hyd, backhoe and loader

3. The fluid level was the first thing I checked, the problem is in one direction to the left. I would think a filter would give you a problem in both directions.

4. There's four hydraulic steering lines which can be disconnected where the engine meets the transmission. Figure out which two go to the steering cylinders and switch them. Now, if turning to the left is fine and right delayed, you're starting to narrow down the problem. My guess would be the steering motor is damaged which is not a cheap fix. One of your steering cylinders could be bypassing but you could eliminate that question by eliminating first one steering cylinder then the other. You can figure out the source of the problem with a little time using the process of elimination. If you decide to rebuild the steering motor, get a book and study it well. It doesn't take much to screw up, necessitating another tear down.

5. I did some more checking on the steering. When I have the unit running it turns right fine and stops, when I go back left steering wheel will turn with very little resistance and the wheel looks like it wants to turn but will not. I did check it without the engine running turning right feels normal and wheel will begin to go, turning left very weak and i hear kind of a ratcheting noise. So sounds like a steering motor problem. Anyone know where to find a good used or would be better to rebuild mine. I do have a repair manual but from what I see it is a bit of a complicated unit.
   Just got this back from having a drum and forward clutch pack installed and now steering issues. It did not do this before I took it in, funny on timing of problems.

   Last edited: Oct 12, 2016

6. The steering lines were split when the tractor was split. I don't know what the shop could have done to cause this problem other than hook up the return and left steer pressure line incorrectly. I haven't tried to reason this out to determine if this would cause your problem if they did.

   I want to say your steering motor is a Ross Hydraglide. If you determine the hydraulic lines are connected correctly, you might want to look for a steering shop that remanufactures Hydraglides. Yours is probably a Model HGA. Parts are expensive when buying retail so it might be cheaper to buy a reman than it is to buy the parts and try it yourself. Hope this helps.

7. Got it fixed
   I removed the steering motor and looked at it on the bench. I put a screw driver in the shaft and turned it to the right fluid spit out the right line turned left and fluid spit out the left.
   Check Break Bingo!!!
   I had to disconnect the line from the return at the motor, blew air so I could see what port and it was the Left.
   The shop had the left and return line reversed. The clicking was oil spitting down the return line with very little resistance when I turned the wheel left.
   The tractor would turn left moving forward but not with a load on the bucket.
   What I did find was a very poor design to access everything. I will go to the shop now and have a chat with them about how to use colored zip ties to mark things.
   Cost me enough to have less than professional results.

   Last edited: Oct 15, 2016

8. Glad it worked out. The shop should have picked up on the left turn issue when they moved it to check the shuttle. She'll give you years of service with a little maintenance and if an extendahoe, you should remove the grease and check the stick for cracks on the lower strap below the pivot pin. It's easy and cheap to air arc and weld a crack now before it opens up and you have to rebuild or replace the stick.

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What Would Cause a Ford Back Hoe to Stop Steering

Source: https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/threads/555a-steering-problem.62898/

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