Hi all, Interesting intermittent fault.... Steering clutches/brakes wont work sometimes...then they come back again???? happens suddenly, and increasingly often, when they work, they work perfectly, just when they feel like it. checked suction screen, clean, but seemed like it should have been wet in that housing, or does that drain out fast? likely took me 20 min to get in there once i shut it off. does the magnet screen down below effect the control system?? looks like fun to check! want to avoid having an oil bath!! way out bush digging a dam, no fitters for miles.
Did you check the oil level it is on the back side on the left I think just above where you check the final drive
Does the steering have its own oil supply? I thought it was fed from the transmission oil supply?
Thanks Dave, only had the machine 4 years....no mention of it in my manuals.
All the ones I worked on had their own look on the left rear above the final drive filler it should have a dip stick on it
If its like my d31P your control linkages have worn clevis pins and ends and so forth to the point that the spools that release the drive pressure in your steer valve to disengage each track arent stroking enough to "clutch" them so you drive through the brakes. The intermittent nature is vibration causing each part to roll around from worn to unworn side. Sometimes there is enough travel and sometimes there aint. Back off the brake adjustment and try again, ill bet you get some steering back. This is a very limited solution to get back to the shop or trailer for a real fix. Find your steer valve, look at what linkages actuate it and find whats wiggling from wear. it will be many parts, particularly worse in the greasy dirt buildup spots. You can drill the metric stuff up a hair to the next SAE size and put in bolts or make new pins.. Also some of it you can build the wear up with weld and file it back to size. The rollers that push on the spool faces and the rockshafts that held the roller holder were the worst in mine. On a d31 i believe the transmission pump pressurizes the steering clutches and you vent that pressure to tank for steering. I assume a d65 uses a similar principle.
As I recall the steering has its own pump and there is also a suction strainer for it. Its all under the deck plats under your left foot as you are sitting in the seat. Also I seem to recall the steering clutches are separate from the transmission oil.
Does a d65 have 3 dipsticks under the left knee area?
I remember just two. One for the transmission and one for the steering clutch/brake compartment.