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1966 Ford 3000 power steering problems

12K views 15 replies 4 participants last post by  Nouveau Redneck 
#1 ·
I have a 1966 gas Ford 3000, when the tractor is running the power steering turns very hard to both the left and right after warming up. I know there is a leaking fluid from the column (been for years) and most of the lines have been repaired or replaced. A few months back we drained the power steering fluid (started up the tractor with a power steering off and into a container) and replaced it with a patch fluid (was supposed stop leaks). It didn't work (made it very hard to steer). We since then drained the tractor twice and replaced it with Type F (we have been using that for many years without problems). Steering was still very hard (easy before warming up). Currently the tractor is ready to have the column off or what ever taken off (gas tank is off with other parts). I'm currently in the process of cleaning off the column (I have a tarp under the tractor, a bucket and scraper). Is it the column or the pump I don't know. Seems like it would be easier with manual steering.
 
#2 ·
I'n guessing the pump loses pressure after the fluid warms up and thins out by the sound of your description,if it seems to have good power assist when its first started "cold"..

Most P/S pumps use Dextron or power steering fluid,type F ATF has friction modifiers in it that might cause wear in a pump--unless that is what Ford specifies to use,you may have better results with "real" power steering fluid or dextron..

It could be leaky seals in the power assist cylinder or colum that let pressure by-pass when the fluid thins out too..I'm not really familiar with the setup on your tractor--I recall my older brother fixing one like yours for a friend a few years ago,he ended up sourcing a "good used" steering colum and other related parts --he said it sucked to work on big time...and the Ford dealer said the setup they used was "problematic" back in the day..

Power steering does feel much harder than manual steering when you lose the power assist..ever lose a power steering belt while driving ?...it'll feel worse than manual steering big time..my pickup is practically impossible to turn the steering wheel if the engine stalls ,unless it is still rolling...at a standstill it feels like the steering shaft is going to twist off before the wheels turn any.!.my truck is diesel and the P/S pump also provides the assist for the power brakes too--its very dangerous,if the engine stalled or the belt decided to snap or fly off,you can barely steer OR stop it --:eek:...
 
#3 ·
I forgot to say, it makes the sound of when the wheel is turned all the way. When I'm making turns it was hard to. What did it for me is when I hit a tree while mowing. I just have to clean it. I stopped at 10pm last night.



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#4 ·
Also my reservoir is by the battery


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#5 ·
Can I upgrade to the newer style of pump?


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#6 ·
Also the steering column is 03B02.
 
#7 ·
I had a 3400 with power steering fluid leaking out the top of the steering column. There is a seal kit for the steering control section of the column (from Ford). Also the filter for the power steering is inside the pump reservoir. If it is bad or plugged the seals can't hold the pressure. I believe there are some bleed off ports in the column control also. Your "oil patch" more than likely plugged the wrong parts.
 
#8 ·
Also my reservoir is by the battery
That is correct if it is on the left side up above the pump body.

Can I upgrade to the newer style of pump?
You can, but the original lines won't work as the connection points for the pressure and return lines are in different locations.

The "patch" stuff that you put in may have caused things to clog where it shouldn't have.

I recommend R&R'ing the steering column while you have the tractor apart that far in addition to replacing the filter. Follow the steps in the service manual and replace the upper and lower o-rings (both labelled #33 in the parts drawing) as well as the upper seal (#35), and I would replace the lower bearing (#4) while you have it apart as well. Don't forget to follow the procedure in the book for tightening the top nut, then backing it off and staking it in place to allow for the proper up-and-down movement of the column, which is what allows the control valve to do it's job properly.
 
#10 ·
You can, but the original lines won't work as the connection points for the pressure and return lines are in different locations.
So long as the holes on the column matched, we can make or buy lines.
 
#9 ·
When taking it apart yesterday, the bearings seemed to be in good shape, no wear on them. Most were flat. I was thinking of getting this DHPN3A674A New Power Steering Seal Kit for Ford NH 2000 2110 3000 3330 3400 + (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VVUOYCS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3V99U0PKSCCVG). We were going to replace most of the seals in the column. Currently the tractor doesn't run. When my brother tried to start it, something "started to smoke", from what he said.
 
#11 ·
#12 ·

The current setup


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#13 ·
In the process of putting the tractor back together, can't remember how the hood and all that goes back on, I have the tank back on. Is it: tank cover, then the pieces of metal where the regulator goes? I feel like I'm missing something.
 
#14 ·
Never mind the metal is just bent
 
#15 ·
After getting tractor to run, the power steering doesn't work like it did before (still hard after the seals were replaced). We are now thinking to put the steering to manual. We found a manual column off of amazon, but the cover to the engine seems to be hard to find (engine cover, non power steering pump: C5NE3B681A, part 39) (90% sure this is the cover to cover the hole were the pump goes for the steering).

Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Ford-Steerin...855884&sr=8-1&keywords=ford+3000+steering+box

A website that I found a cover (example):
Power Steering Pump Cover Ford 3000 5000

Link for cover on engine block for non power steering pump:
Official New Holland Online Parts Store and Online Parts Catalog for New Holland and Ford Tractors.
 
#16 ·
The part number that I am seeing for the cover for the hole where the power steering pump mounts is C7NND852A. The gasket that you will need to go under the cover is 81822547. Both should be available at any New Holland dealer.
 
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