I have a C500-YS100 lift that has a wander problem with the steering.
When operating this machine, the steering functions properly when maneuvering in and out of loads for the most part but seems to be progressively getting worse over time.
The problem starts up when cranking the wheel all the way from one side to the other. It seems like you actually turn the steering wheel one or two extra revolutions once the steer-axel wheels pass through the centered straight position. It's mostly noticed when turning at a fairly fast rate. It's not noticed as much when turning the wheel at a slower pace.
Also, when driving the machine straight (across our yard) you do have to compensate the steering sometimes because the machine tends to turn itself to the left or right. This is something that has progressively gotten worse over the past couple years. Years ago it really wasn't a problem and it was only noticed during extreme steering revolutions.
Now to rule out several things. All tie rod ends have been checked out or replaced. The primary tie rod link from the steering cylinder has been re-adjusted and the ball stud replaced. Also, the pivot link at the front of the steer cylinder has also been replaced. King pins and the center pivot bearing between the two steer wheels are also in good shape.
My thoughts are that this could be more of a hydraulic problem perhaps? Maybe the steering cylinder needs to be repacked? Or, perhaps a worn packing and cylinder bore?
Or, perhaps the steering box at the bottom of the steering column where the hydro hoses tie in could have something worn? (That steering box is something I'm not really familiar with on this machine.)
I would tend to think that if that were the problem though, it would be noticable in tight meneuver situations which leads me back to thinking the steer cylinder would be the culprit.
Yes / No?
What do you guy's think?
Sorry about the long posting. Hope I didn't confuse anyone.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Jake
Showing items 1 - 12 of 12 results.
Leslie,
Nope. This machine is not like that configuration. My C500-YS100 is set up with a simple standard hydraulic cylinder that works off of an orbital steering box.
I do know what you are talking about though. My C500-YS80 machine is set up like that. It has a large "sloted" screw on the end of the drag link that works in conjunction with the valve port at the end of the cylinder.
Also, I agree with you that the adjustment on that screw needs to be set properly when adjusted. It can be a real "bear" to steer when that thing is too tight.
They changed the steering configuration on the C500 machines from that drag link valved cylinder to the orbital steering system I believe some time in the early '80s.
A very good improvement on those machines back in the day I would say.
Jake
If this is the lift I am thinking about, the steering valve on the power steering cylinder is out of adjustment. Take the drag link out that goes to the steer axle and up in the valve where the drag link goes, there is an allen head bolt. Screw the allen bolt in to get the slack out to where the bolt fits flush against the ball stud. Screw the drag link back in. If you get it too tight it will be hard to steer.
Latest follow up.
Steering slop was cleaned up and much better with the proceedure stated in my last posting about the orbital steering box but bottom line this machine still had something that was not quite proper overall.
Long story short, I had the steering cylinder repacked. Complete noticable difference at first operation after repacking cylinder.
The orbital steering box made the steer wheel very responsive and also made the machine easier to steer overall but it was the cylinder packing that brought things back to the way this machine was when it was new back in 1986.
No more dead spot during turns. No more extra revolutions of the steering wheel when approaching cargo. No more abrupt turns to the left while driving straight across the lot.
Process of elimination can be frustrating sometimes but the payoff of a machine finally operating proper is always worth the pain and aggravation of setting it right!
Jake
It's been a while but it looks as if we got the steer problem squared away.
We jacked the machine up and rocked the steer wheels back and forth by hand. This was done both with the engine on and off. Not much movement either way.
All tie rod ends, king pins, and bearings seem to be decent. Some wear but nothing to be an issue.
Then we checked the steer cylinder itself and it was tight. There was no way to move it manually, even with leverage.
Also, there is no type of fluid leak what so ever at the gland seal.
Now I'm starting to doubt my theory on the cylinder.
So now I reconsidered the hydrostatic steering box. While the machine was jacked up, I turned the steering wheel back and forth.
I noticed that sometimes the wheels would turn one way but they would not return when steering lightly at idle.
If you increase the engine speed it would steer the wheels both ways but sometimes the steer wheel would make one full revolution with out moving the wheels. If you rock the wheel and let off the gas pedal then the steering action would return.
Sometimes though you could still make the steering wheel travel two revolutions without any action on the steer cylinder. Evedently a steering box issue.
After doing some research on the steering box, I found out that there are built in check valves as well as hydraulic splines that can wear out over time and fail.
Long story short, I replaced the steering box. Problem solved!
Plus, not only has the wander problem been taken care of, the forklift seems to steer much easier in general. It goes to show how something can slowly wear over time without notable change.
Truck Tech, Thanks for your input.
Jake
Well it looks like the Steer cylinder can be repacked. If the chrome rod is OK,then repack the cylinder.
Truck tech,
It's a 1986 Clark C500-YS100
Serial #Y685-0017-6165FA
Thanks
Jake
Oh,it's a newer model,than I'm thinking of. Can you share the serial #? I would be able to get the correct information about your lift truck.
Truck Tech,
There is no torsion arm on this steering box. It's direct hydrualic. Nothing but hoses from the box to the cylinder.
That's why I wasn't sure on what was causing this wander problem. Some strange hydrualic bypass problem in the cylinder. If that was the case then I would just use a reman instead of repacking the original cylinder.
As for the cylinder itself, I believe that this one isn't a sealed unit. I believe that it has a "C" clip that holds the gland seal packing at the end of the cylinder.
Jake
The stering gearbox is easy to check. Just turn the steering wheel,and watch the torsion arm for movement.There shouldn't be more than a 1/8 of a turn play. Also check all king pin bushings,and ball joint sockets. The actual steer cylinder is a welded unit,and if it is worn out,then order a reman. unit from Hadar,or SMH. Also check the steer yoke,in the middle of the steer axle for worn out bearings.
Truck tech,
Thanks for your reply. That's where I feel the problem is also, instead of it being the steering box.
I guess that I was hoping for someone to comment on weather to replace the steering cylinder vs. repacking my existing one. I don't know weather the steering cylinder would be worn beyond repair.
I have had other cylinders on boom trucks in the past that were worn to the point of replacing vs. repairing. I wasn't sure if this would be the case also.
Thanks again.
Jake
I would probaly check the steer cylinder,for internal bypass.
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