JD 440 Steering Clutch Troubleshoot Question

[thomastractorsvc]

I was pushing some dirt yesterday on a slight incline and after an hour or so the tractor started to gradually not want to steer left or right it would go forward and reverse no problem then intermittently would not want to turn either direction then it would.

I checked the steering play and it seems to be right there 1 5/8" to 1 3/4". I checked the foot brake and it would easily stop the tractor. As soon as I got back on the level it started steering again and I let it set for a few minutes and it started to steer again. The only thing I noticed is the right handle felt like it had a little bump in it when I applied the foot brake.

I am thinking the steering clutches need to be replaced as they are heating up and slipping? Any thoughts?

[Lavoy]

Usually if they slip as they warm up, there is oil in them. Look in the top cover and see if you can see any, but you may not. Sometimes it migrates in from the pinion shaft seal through the splines and you can't see it.
Lavoy