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Massey Ferguson 230, 235, 240, 245, 250 - Manual steering

MF 230, 235, 240, 245, 250 Tractors Repair Operations

Manual steering

Manual steering gear used on MF 230 and MF 235 tractors without power assist steering or hydrostatic power steering.

Lubrication and adjustment - The steering gear should be filled to the level of the opening for plug with SAE 90 gear lubricant. Backlash between the ball nut and left sector gear and between the right and left sector gears can be adjusted while unit is installed. Adjust, loosen four screws that attach the left and right pinion housings to the steering gear housing, then rotate the right pinion housing clockwise to the end of the bolt slots. Rotate the left pinion housing counterclockwise until all backlash is eliminated between left pinion and ball nut, then tighten the four screws retaining left pinion housing. Rotate the right pinion housing counterclockwise until all backlash is eliminated between the two pinions, then tighten the four screws retaining the right pinion housing. If additional adjustment is required.

Remove and reinstall - To remove the manual steering gear assembly, first remove the battery and the steering wheeL Disconnect the oil pressure line at the gage and tachometer cable at both ends, then remove the tachometer cable and cable housing. Mark all wires to facilitate assembly, then disconnect all wires from instrument panel gages. Remove lights from panel gages and disconnect fuel shut-off from injection pump (diesel models). Remove the complete instrument panel with gages. Disconnect wires from starter switch and light switch, then unbolt and remove the rear hood assembly with light switch and starter switch installed. Disconnect linkage from both ends of the throttle cross shaft, then slide shaft from left side of Massey Ferguson 230, 235 tractor. Remove the complete air cleaner assembly and the battery platform. Disconnect drag links from both pitman arms, remove the six retaining screws, then lift the steering gear from the tractor. Reinstall by reversing the removal procedure. Be careful to connect wires to instruments correctly.

Overhaul - To overhaul the removed unit, first remove the right pinion housing and shaft, then remove the left pinion housing and shaft. Unbolt shaft housing and withdraw housing and shaft. Eleven loose balls should fall from upper bearing and eleven from lower bearing. Pitman shafts and related parts can be withdrawn from housing after snap ring is removed. Parts of the ball nut and shaft are not available separately and should not be disassembled. Press new bushings into bores of respective housings until flush to 0.8 mm (1/32 inch) below flush with outer edge of bore. Assemble parts onto pitman shaft and parts onto pitman shaft before inserting into housings. Add more shims, if necessary, to remove all end play from bearing. Use grease to hold the eleven balls into each race, then insert shaft and ball nut into shaft housing. Place shims and O-ring onto housing, then install into steering gear housing. Shims are available in 0.13-0.25 mm (0.005-0.010 inch). Install only enough shims to provide 0.03-0.13 mm (0.001-0.005 inch) preload for bearings. After steering shaft ball nut is installed, turn the steering shaft until the ball nut is at bottom. Position the steering gear as normally installed on Massey Ferguson 230, 235 tractor, and install the left pitman shaft and housing assembly. The flat identification boss on left housing should be down when installed. The marked 3rd tooth on left pinion should be aligned with center valley of ball nut rack. Turn the steering shaft until ball nut is moved to top and install the right pitman shaft and housing assembly. The first tooth on right pinion should be aligned with the first valley on left pinion. The flat identification boss on right housing should be toward front when installed correctly. To adjust the backlash, rotate the right pinion housing clockwise to end of bolt slots and temporarily tighten retaining screw. Rotate the left pinion housing counterclockwise unlit all backlash is eliminated, then tighten the four housing retaining screws. Rotate the right pinion housing counterclockwise until all backlash is removed from the right pitman shaft, then lighten the four retaining screws. Check for correct assembly by locating the center (straight ahead) position of the steering shaft. With steering shaft straight ahead, the blank splines on both pitman shafts should be vertical. The small flat mounting boss at rear of steering gear housing will also be vertical when installed on tractor. Fill steering gear housing to level of plug with SAE 90 gear oil.

Power assist steering system

This power steering system available on Massey Ferguson 240, 245 Vineyard, MF 250, 230, MF 235 (except Orchard).

Lubrication and bleeding - Recommended oil for power steering system is Massey-Ferguson Permatran Oil. Check power steering reservoir oil level with engine running after all air is bled from system. Power steering system capacity is approximately 0.95 L (1 U.S. quart). Air can be bled from power steering system by running engine and cycling steering from full left to full right, then back to full left several times. Repeat until there are no air bubbles present in oil reservoir. Make certain oil level is maintained during bleeding process to avoid starving the pump of oil.

System operating pressure and relief valve - A pressure test of steering hydraulic system will disclose whether the pump relief valve or some other unit in the system is malfunctioning. To check relief pressure, install a T fitting at pump pressure port, reattach pressure hose to one port of T and a 20000 kPa (3000 psi) pressure gage to the other port. Start engine and operate at 2000 rpm. Turn steering wheel to full turn in either direction and observe gage pressure reading. Normal relief pressure is approximately 8300 kPa (1200 psi). The relief valve on models equipped with gasoline engine is adjusted after removing reservoir and turning screw. The relief valve on models equipped with diesel engine is also adjusted after removing reservoir and turning adjusting screw. One full turn of relief valve screw should change pressure approximately 2100 kPa (300 psi) on Models MF 230, 235 and MF 245. On Massey Ferguson 240, 250, a pressure change of approximately 3100 kPa (450 psi) should result from one turn of adjusting screw. Reinstall reservoir, refill with otl and recheck pressure after changmg relief valve setting.

Steering cylinders (Models MF 240, 250) - Remove, reinstall and overhaul - Cylinders used on early models are retained by nuts on ball ends to each end. On later models inner end of cylinder is retained by a pivot pin. Disassemble steering cylinders and proceed as follows: Remove oil from cylinder by working piston back and forth. Unscrew 4 gland nut, then withdraw piston and rod assembly and the inner tube from cylinder barrel. Unscrew piston from rod, then remove remaining components from rod. Inspect all parts for wear, scoring or damage and renew if necessary. Renew all seals and O-rings. To reassemble cylinder, reverse the disassembly procedure. Lubricate all parts with oil before assembling.

Power steering pump

Remove and reinstall - Clean the area thoroughly before disconnecting any lines. Disconnect lines, remove mounting screws and withdraw pump. When reinstalling, tighten retaining bolts to 27 Nm (20 ft.-lbs.) torque. Refill reservoir with fluid and bleed from system.

Massey Ferguson 230, 235, 240, 245, 250 diesel models overhaul - Mark the pump housing and reservoir before removing reservoir. Filter can be removed after reservoir. Remove nut, gear, key and spacer. Establish the setting of the relief valve plug before removing the plug. Remove the screws attaching body and shield to the housing. Remove gears, Woodruff key, idler shaft and pin. Remove snap ring, then bump shaft and bearing out front of housing bore. Inspect all parts for scoring, wear or other damage and renew if necessary. Always renew all O-rings, gaskets and oil seal. Install new oil seal with lip facing inward and front of seal flush with outer surface of housing. When renewing needle bearings, press against numbered side of bearing. Bearings should be slightly below flush with machined surface of housing. Press bearing onto shaft, then install the shaft and bearing in bore of housing. Install snap ring, spacer, key and gear, then install retaining nut. Install the other key in shaft and slide gear onto key in shaft and slide gear onto shaft over the key. Install the idler shaft and gear assembly. Position thin gasket around gears and locate body over gears being careful not to damage the gasket. Install the thicker gasket and plate and tighten the assembly screws to 11-14 Nm (8-10 ft.-lbs.) torque. Use care when assembling relief valve. Install the adjusting plug as near as possible to position from which it was removed. Reinstall pump and check relief pressur.

Massey Ferguson 230, 235, 240, 245, 250 gasoline models overhaul - Remove reservoir cover, filter, stud and screw, then lift off reservoir. Establish the setting of the relief valve plug before removing plug. Remove screws attaching body to the housing and remove body. Remove gears, Woodruff key, idler shaft and pin. Remove nut, gear, sleeve and snap ring, then bump shaft and bearing out front of housing. Install new seal with lip toward rear of pump and front of seal flush with the step in front of housing bore. Press new bearings into bores in body and housing until bearing is just below flush. Press only on numbered side of bearing which should be toward gears. Press bearing onto shaft, then install the shaft and bearing in bore of housing. Install snap ring, spacer, key and gear, then install retaining nut. Install other key in shaft and slide gear onto shaft over key. Install the idler shaft and gear assembly. Position gasket around gears and locate body over gears being careful not to damage gasket. Install and tighten assembly screws to 11-14 Nm (8-10 ft-lbs.) torque. Install relief valve. Install plug as near as possible to original location to facilitate relief setting. Reinstall pump and check relief valve pressure setting.