[AnotherHickey]

It took us 3 seals on the rear PTO shaft, but we finally got the leak fixed today. Unfortunately, the power steering pump is now leaking. Is this something that can be rebuilt or a seal put into it, or are we talking a new pump. If it isn't one thing, it is another. This is on a 1991 318. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[D-Dogg]

Are you referring to the steering control valve?

The seal kit is AM107078.

Have you done a hydro fluid and filter change? This many leaks on this model year makes be wonder what they were using for fluid. Is it red or amber?

You could use Type F ATF, but wonder is someone before you got a deal on Dexron.

 

[AnotherHickey]

The fluid is red. I just bought it about a month and a half ago. He changed the fluid before I bought it. It had no leaks when I bought it.

Is that seal kit easy to install? Would a local dealer have this part or would it need to be ordered?

 

[AnotherHickey]

It appears to be called a power steering ram. I found one on Ebay so that you can see what part is leaking: http://cgi.ebay.com/JOHN-DEERE-318-322-332-TRACTOR-POWER-STEERING-RAM_W0QQitemZ350225531396QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item518b118204&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1205|293%3A1|294%3A50

Mine is leaking where the ram comes out of the cylinder.

 

[Stash]

Is that seal kit easy to install? Would a local dealer have this part or would it need to be ordered?

The seal kit is not easy to install. These units are a bit tricky to work on. If you don't have the tech manual for the tractor, or the Parker HGF manual, don't even attempt to repair the unit. It has to be removed from the tractor to start with. Some earlier 318s had a 4 port valve, later units had a 5 port valve. Since your's is a 1991, it most likely has the 5 port valve. At any rate, you would be good to take photos during the removal process so when it comes to putting it back in, you get everything hooked up properly.

 

[Stash]

Oh, it's the steering assist cylinder, as opposed to the hydrostatic power steering valve. Those can be rebuilt, but you have to find someone that's able to cut it open with a lathe, disassemble, install new seals, then reweld it. Not a DIY project, unless you have the equipment and expertise.

 

[AnotherHickey]

Oh, it's the steering assist cylinder, as opposed to the hydrostatic power steering valve. Those can be rebuilt, but you have to find someone that's able to cut it open with a lathe, disassemble, install new seals, then reweld it. Not a DIY project, unless you have the equipment and expertise.

I definately do not have either the equipment or expertise. It looks like they go for around $100 used on Ebay and around $270 new on Ebay. Would it be cheaper to do one of these options since I have no idea who would be able to lathe, and install new seals.

 

[D-Dogg]

If your tractor is in otherwise pristine condition, and you got it at a reasonable price, you ought to treat it to a new cylinder.

Check sources other than Ebay. I stupidly assumed JD offered absolutely no parts for my 318 being 22 years old. I paid big EBay money for used stuff I could have gotten from Deere for less.

Either here or at Weekendfreedommachines.com, you could probably find someone who has done this rebuild. Even a hobbiest might want to be paid for his time (and equipment), so between parts and a reasonable payment for labor, you might be better off with a new one.

But back to your 1991 318 with red tranny fluid and multiple leaks. I don't like it at all. A friend has an 1800 plus hour '85 318 that has never leaked. Mine doesn't leak, my neighbor has never had a leak.

I think you really need to consider purging the system and switching to Hygard fluid. I don't know if there is a JD approved seal conditioner/stop leak additive, but that would be worth investigating.

 

[farmer69]

I agree I would try hydraulic oil, the transmission fluid is a little thinner maybe causing some of your oil leaks.

 

[AnotherHickey]

I agree I would try hydraulic oil, the transmission fluid is a little thinner maybe causing some of your oil leaks.

I might try replacing the cylinder and see how that goes, and then try the Hygaard. Any particular weight or is there just one weight? I am guessing you drain it from the bottom of the rear axle. I have not looked for the fill tube yet. Anyone know how much goes into it?

Do you think the leak would stop if I tried the Hygaard first before replacing the cylinder?

 

[farmer69]

Changing the oil first might save expense of replacing seals (maybe). What type of oil does JD recommend, I doubt if its transmission fluid.

 

[AnotherHickey]

If I replace the fluid that is in there with the Hygaard do I need to replace the filter at the same time? How many quarts does it take to fill it?

 

[Glockem]

Yes, if you change the trany fluid to the hygard, then yes you should replace the filter as you don't want the two types of fluid to mix. Let it drain for a day if you can so that all that crap gets out of the there.

It should take about 6 quarts with filter change. This amount varies though depending on how much fluid you were able to drain, but most importantly what type of implements you are running on the tractor. But somewhere in the 5.5-6 quart range should do you just fine.

 

[D-Dogg]

Hygard low viscosity. As Glockem points out (though the dealer will say 5 quarts), both he and I have used more like 5.5-6 quarts after a thorough drain.

 

[AnotherHickey]

Thanks guys. I hope to stop by the dealer on the way home tomorrow night.

 

[cobra01]

Did you ever get the leak fixed? Was it an easy fix? I'm looking to buy one but it has some sort of leak. The owner says that it has a "slow snowblower control and the power steering hydraulic fluid leak". Not sure if that's the same thing as yours or not.

 

[AnotherHickey]

Yes, I replaced the cylinder and changed to the Hygard at the same time and have not had any leaks since. Not sure if just changing to Hygard would have fixed it or not, but I didn't want to take the chance.