I just bought a 966C that steers slow to the right, works fine to the left but is slow turning to the right. It does not make a diffrence if you rev it faster, doesn't labor the engine, almost seems like the valve is not opening enough. I talked to a couple people, one suggested the snubber valve may be stuck, sounded like a great idea, but this machine does not have one. Looking for ideas on what it could be. I am in the process of changing the fulids, hydraulic oil was milky, most likely water in it. Machine is s/n 76J9076
There are few of us still alive that know much about your steering. There are three adjustments The sweep side to side is centered by changing the length of the follow up linkage and the amount of sweep is controlled by the position of the connecting ball on the anchor. The steering effort right or left is controlled by the length of the rod from the steering box to the valve spool. Adjust that first. Take up floor plate and adjust rod until the spool moves an equal distance from center when the wheel is moved each way. Adjust with the engine off then start up and see if it feels the same each way. You will then have it hitting one stop and will need to shut off engine and adjust the follow up linkage to balance things up. If you can't get that right something is damaged and will talk about that next. Later Bob
Double check to make sure the anchor that Bob is talking about isn't bent.... Some people have moved or pushed a loader around without the motor running which can bend the anchor causing steering problems too. I've even seen a loose cab cause steering problems in that vintage machine but follow Bobs advice first.
Alright, I adjusted the linkage controlling the valve and it is much better. Also noticed the ball joint in the anchor was loose so tightened that up. Still seems a little slow, but may just be the way it is, can count about 8 seconds turning from one stop to the other, does this sound right?
Sounds okay, the speed is relative to the condition of the steering pump. Just get used to the response time while you are running it and it should be good. Some things can make the steering jerky as Grandpa mentioned above plus the spring inside the followup linkage being seized. Can you steer side to side and not hit the stops? Later Bob
Here's a little info on the steering times for a 966C: Steering Time To check the steering time, put the machine on a dry, hard surface. With the engine at high idle, the time for a full turn, from stop to stop, must not be more than: 814 ... 3.6 seconds 950 ... 2.7 seconds 966C ... 3.0 seconds 980B ... 3.1 seconds The difference between the time for a right turn and the time for a left turn must not be more than .2 second. With the brakes activated, the time must not increase more than .2 second. If the difference between the times for a full right turn and a full left turn is more than .2 second: 1. Remove the end cover from steering control valve (1). 2. Add flow balance shims (2) to decrease the right turn time (steer faster) and increase the left turn time (steer slower). If the flow balance shims are removed, the result is opposite. 3. Shims (2) are available in two thicknesses. 5J4776 Shims are .005 in. (0.13 mm) thick. 4J8224 Shims are .010 in. (0.25 mm) thick. Two 4J8224 Shims will change the steering time at high idle by approximately .1 second. EXAMPLE: A check of the steering times shows that the right turn time is .4 second more than the left turn time. Shims (2) must be added to decrease the difference between the times. The addition of four 4J8224 Shims will decrease the right turn time by approximately .2 second and increase the left turn time approximately .2 second. This will make the right and left turn times approximately the same. 4. Replace the end cover on the control valve. STEERING CONTROL VALVE 1. Control valve. 2. Flow balance shims. 3. Cylinder flow shims. If both steering times (right and left) are slow, cylinder flow shims (3) must be added. 4J6806 Shim thickness ... .048 in.(1.22 mm) One shim will change the steering times at high idle by approximately .1 second.
Another copy from Trouble shooting chart: Problem: Machine turns too slow in one direction. PROBABLE CAUSE: 1. Flow balance adjustment of main control spool is not correct. (See Steering Time Check in Testing and Adjusting). If you need the full trouble shooting chart send me a PM
Bob are you calling some of us OLD?
The times are right but the adjustment instructions are for the newer hand metering unit control not the old follow up control units. Later Bob
Yes but still hanging in. Later Bob
Hanging would be a d*mn good description!
MY BAD :notworthy How about these instead: Checking Steering Speed 11. Turn the machine to the extreme right turn position. Depress the accelerator pedal to high idle rpm. Using a stop watch calibrated in hundredths of a second, record the time (to the nearest tenth of a second) required to turn the machine to the extreme left turn position. With the machine in the left turn position, record the time required to turn the machine to the extreme right turn position. Record five readings in each direction of turning, and then average the times. The time required for extreme left to right and right to left turns should not be more than 3.0 seconds. The difference between left to right and right to left turns should not be more than 0.2 seconds. STEERING CONTROL VALVE AND LINKAGE 5. Nut and lock. 6. Eyebolt assembly. 7. Locknut. 8. Housing assembly. 12. Oil line to steering cylinders. 13. Oil line to steering cylinders. 14. Linkage rod end. 15. Rod end locknut. ------ WARNING! ------ Connect the steering safety link. --------WARNING!------ 12. By turning rod end (14) 1/2 turn at a time, the steering speeds can be equalized. Loosen nut (15), remove the pin from rod end (14) and control valve spool, rotate the rod end in a clockwise direction to increase speed of right to left turn. Install the pin horizontally as illustrated and tighten nut (15). 13. If the machine is equipped with the 8J2348 Steering Control Valve and the procedure in Step 12 does not correct the steering times, remove the safety link and apply the brakes. Check the steering times again. 8J2348 STEERING CONTROL VALVE 23. Plug. 24. Seal. 25. Seat. 26. Seat. 27. Seal. If the time for a right turn is more than the time for a left turn, remove plug (23) and the ball check assembly. Inspect seal (24) and seat (25) for damage. Install a new seal and/or seat if necessary and assemble the valve. Check the steering times again. If the time for a left turn is more than the time for a right turn, remove plug (23) and the ball check assembly. Inspect seal (27) and seat (26) for damage. Install a new seal and/or seat if necessary and assemble the valve. Check the steering times again. If the steering times are too slow in both directions remove plug (23) and the ball check assembly. Inspect seals (24) and (27) and seats (25) and (26). Install new seals and seats if damaged. Check the relief valve setting. If the relief valve setting is too low, check the pilot valve and its seat for damage. Install a new valve and/or seat if necessary. Check the steering times again. If the steering times are still too slow, the piston seals in the steering cylinders may have damage, the pump may have damage or the valve spool and/or the control valve may be damaged. Install new piston seals or a new 8J1931 Basic Valve Group.
That's the valve he has. The adjustment to lengthen or shorten the follow up linkage is under cover 7. It has a RH and LH thread turning one way makes it longer the other shorter. Later Bob