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Oil leak under steering wheel

Driver2022 ยท 2026-06-03 19:36

In my loading shovel I am getting hydraulic oil leaking up from under it. It works fine when cold but if you start working the machine and steering hard if starts to drip out oil up the top. Is there likely some seal or o ring gone? Any advice on how to tackle this? So the oil comes up and dips down where my finger is

Replies6
  1. #1Driver20222026-06-03 19:37
  2. #2John C.2026-06-03 21:06

    You should probably provide some more information. Makes, model, series or serial number.

  3. #3willie592026-06-03 21:49

    Most likely the input shaft seal on a steering orbit valve, seal leaks and send oil up the steering column shaft tube to the steering wheel and spills out. Remedy? Some are easy, some are not. As John C noted, advice begins with make, model and serial number.

  4. #4Driver20222026-06-04 05:10

    Sorry forgot to mention it's a 1994 Komatsu wa100-1 loading shovel.

  5. #5John C.2026-06-04 21:53

    I've worked on a lot of old Komatsu wheel loaders and never seen one like that. Can you back up from the steering wheel and take a photo of the steering wheel and dash panel? Maybe a photo showing the whole left side of the machine. It's probably like willie59 says being a leaking orbit valve. Most of the Komatsu units have the orbit valve at the bottom of the shaft and they leak out the bottom.

  6. #6HarleyHappy2026-06-05 10:05

    Depends, if the top orbital seal goes bad on the shaft, they will leak out underneath the steering wheel.