Discussion:
wandering steering

just wondering if any body has any ideas, I have a hyster E50XM, impossible to drive in straight line, also get some feedback through steering wheel. orbitrol replaced within the last year, made no difference, steer pressure is to spec, and steer cyl. has been disassembled and resealed again no difference. I am sure orbitrol was an aftermarket part. I believe the orbitrol is bad, just looking for any opinions before I order a OEM orbitrol. Thanks
  • Posted 9 Sep 2014 04:24
  • By vic_s
  • joined 9 Sep'14 - 4 messages
  • Nebraska, United States
Showing items 1 - 7 of 7 results.
Does this unit what to go left or Right when you hold the steering wheel , Do not try to correct the direction. If it goes the same way each time you may find a problem in the steer cylinder
  • Posted 12 Sep 2014 08:47
  • By Techhelp
  • joined 16 Apr'10 - 22 messages
  • Wisconsin, United States
Block the steer cylinder in the center position, remove the return hose on the un-pressurized side of the cylinder and steer in that direction. A bi-directional, non-differential steering cylinder shell will wear in the straight ahead or center position. If oil is bypassing the packing (oil coming out the return side of the cylinder) while in the center after resealing the cylinder... the cylinder shell is worn and needs to be replaced. Two simple tests of the hand pump/rotary valve is when bottomed out (full right or left steering) is it fairly easy to continue turning the steering wheel. Secondly, can you steer the wheels with the engine off? Of course it will be harder... no power steering. But there should be little slippage in what happens at the steering wheel to what is happening in the steer wheels.
  • Posted 12 Sep 2014 00:54
  • By tjoldman
  • joined 28 Jan'11 - 14 messages
  • Ohio, United States
We have had this in the past. The steer motor seal is bad. Our issue was the brushes were changed and the pump turned and the aligment pin wasn't in place. The seal didn't leak, but it sucked in enough air to create bad steering.
  • Posted 12 Sep 2014 00:15
  • By MAK54
  • joined 20 Apr'10 - 14 messages
  • Wisconsin, United States
Maybe try this test: Jack up back end. Take the hoses off at the steer cylinder and install metal caps on the cylinder fittings. Then try to physically twist and steer the wheels. A pry bar may be in order. If they move you have a problem with that center seal in the cylinder.
  • Posted 10 Sep 2014 06:24
  • Modified 10 Sep 2014 06:25 by poster
  • By mrfixit
  • joined 11 Dec'08 - 1,434 messages
  • New York, United States
new bearings and pins in tie rods, all linkage tight
  • Posted 10 Sep 2014 02:02
  • By vic_s
  • joined 9 Sep'14 - 4 messages
  • Nebraska, United States
What happens if you steer very slowly? Tires just sit there? I had this symptom on a toy electric recently ended up being bad steer cylinder. Good luck.
  • Posted 9 Sep 2014 18:26
  • By stam
  • joined 12 Aug'12 - 779 messages
  • Ontario, Canada
What condition are the steer links/tie rods in,is there a lot of slop and play in them? jack the truck up in the rear and grab the tire at 9 and 3 o'clock and move it back and forth to check steering play
What condition are the steer tires in? I have seen steer tires that were worn at a angle from outside edge to inside edge and vice versa that would cause this also....
  • Posted 9 Sep 2014 06:13
  • By kevin_t
  • joined 2 Dec'10 - 1,301 messages
  • Pennsylvania, United States

Post your Reply

Forkliftaction accepts no responsibility for forum content and requires forum participants to adhere to our rules of conduct. Click here for more information.

If you are having trouble using the Discussion Forums, please contact us for help.

PREMIUM business

Yale Lift Truck Technologies
Yale offers a full line of forklifts to help customers adapt to today's demanding supply chain.
Upcoming industry events …
November 11, 2025 - Sydney, Australia
November 26-27, 2025 - Budapest, Hungary
May 20-22, 2026 - Jakarta, Indonesia
Fact of the week
Brussels Airport in Belgium, Europe is the world's largest sales point for chocolate, with over 800 tonnes of chocolate sold annually. This averages out to about 1.5 kilograms sold every minute.