The Classic Machinery Network

Hi all
Recently bought 1974 jcb 3c mk 11 . Having searched through old posts to get the power steering working I have changed the hydraulic oil and filter but could not see an obvious pump strainer in front of the radiator any clues? Would this machine have one? Manuel clutch/gearbox. Oil and filter did the trick but the plessy orbital was leaking from the steering shaft so off it came to be resealed by the local Lindens. Its no longer leaking but even after bleeding numerous times the steering is very heavy but intermittently it becomes light and rotates the steering wheel by itself in the direction its turned till full lock is reached. Any ideas ?

The very early mark 2's had no strainer but a 74 would certainly have had one. Check the feed hose from your steering pump and see where it gets it supply from. If you have a strainer it will be in a square box with four bolts at one end.

Hi thanks for your response. The feed hose to the pump comes directly from the box section that is the hydraulic oil tank so I'm thinking I was misinformed of the age of the jcb and it could be earlier than thought.

It may have been registered in 74 but manufactured in the late 60's. It seems you have got dirt in your power steering pump. The power steering pump can be difficult to remove and even harder to fit. There is one bolt on the engine side of the pump that is a nightmare. The good news is your pump can be cleaned out still fitted to the engine. I don't know the procedure myself but I'm sure someone on the board here will.

Your steering filter housing, if fitted, will look like this. Its connected to the chassis, behind the radiator, on the near side. Always check you have enough fluid, as the steering is the first to fail on low fluid.

Hi thanks for posting. Nothing like that at all. As said in my earlier posts hydraulic oil and filter replaced therefore oil level correct and the steering pump feed comes directly from the box section oil reservoir. I appreciate your time and advice .

Hi, I know it's and old post but did u manage to fix the problem in the end? If so what did u do to rectify the problem.. I'm having the same problem myself at the moment