John Deere 4020 steering theory of operation, Diagnostics, steering valve rebuild

I hope this help somebody but there's no reason to buy a $1,500 aftermarket when with a tech manual and a half a day of your own time you should be able to rebuild your own. The only reason you would not be able to do it is if you had bad castings making internal leak

[@austinmhill88]

As a gear head I must say that this video is awesome. I love tear down and rebuild videos. Great job!

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Thank you very much!

[@clydeschwartz2167]

Excellent video them steering valves are fun to rebuild I did a 440A John Deere skidder valve I was plowing snow with it and it started gushing hydraulic oil out of the body o rings and I resealed it and it works wonderful now and steers better too. Then a few years later on of my farm called that his 4620 John Deere tractor would only steer to left no matter how hard I tried I could not get a right turn. So I took the 2 hydraulic cylinders from underneath the frame below the radiator and put new seals in them then it would turn right if you really twisted on the wheel. I told the guy that the steering control valve has to come out and that is a long drug out project it has a hiniker cab but me and 2 other guys got it out and I tore it down and found a bunch of torn seals and o rings it's a little bit different because it is a 2 output and 2 returns but I got it back together and it works perfect . When I reassembled it I laid out on a table with white butcher paper it really helped to see all of the small parts and pieces. Them o rings down in the bores are a real bugger to get in there I took my time it took most of day and I had a bunch on lookers they had never seen so many small parts and pieces. I also rebuilt the steering control valve on a 2830 or 2840 and it has a whole bunch of o rings that go into the casting grooves I had to make a pick with a welding rod to get them in that customer said he had the tractor 5 different shop for the steering control valve and no one got it working until I fixed it then it had finger tip steering and quite leaking.. Thanks for the informative videos 👍👍👍👍

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Nice! Yeah the extended o-ring pick. LOL they come in handy

[@rickracus3109]

Great job explaining the operation of the steering and your breakdown was also very good Thank you for taking the time to make the video.

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Thanks!

[@TAHDAHFarm]

I started this video at work today around 1, with all the interruptions, I was able to finally finish it at 7:30 tonight, lol. Great info.

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Ha!

[@pinesedgefarm1155]

That's one thing I haven't had to do. One of those things that you do it once and the second time should go pretty smooth. My father in-law just had knee surgery as well, he's ready to get outside again. The yard is a skating rink.😳 Thanks for sharing this!👍

[@salchicharey]

These videos are EXTREMELY informative

[@joeycurtis263]

Awesome video. I watched it 10 times before I rebuilt a 3010 steering system.

[@farawayfarm2520]

Good material Jon. Didn't have time to watch last night. I'm feeling the need to rebuild something now. 👍

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Ha!

[@STAFFORDTRUCKING]

Very good explanation. Can't wait to see a video of testing of a Power Shift and drag test.

[@LVFFarmVlogs]

Good video Jon. Glad I am only a short drive away, looks like some meticulous work there, think I would just pay you to let me watch you rebuild it! Lol

[@bryanginder5903]

When you go up Brad I'll send you one with to take along!!

[@Heimerviewfarm]

It's almost like you were asking for a requested video.

[@LVFFarmVlogs]

@@bryanginder5903 If you ever need anything delivered to Jon's for repair just let me know, I go up that way fairly often to see family!

[@bryanginder5903]

@@Heimerviewfarm yep! I asked Jon awhile ago about this problem and he said he would have a video coming out about it! Couldn't wait! Lol

[@bryanginder5903]

@@LVFFarmVlogs well that's good to know!

[@mrjantz810]

Absolutely great video nothing else like it online Too bad you posted it now I just replaced a steering valve like this on my early series 4430 if you would’ve posted this video sooner I probably would have had the guts to try rebuilding my own

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Ha. A guy just can't win sometimes!

[@tylerd6141]

Great video. I’m having a heck of a time with the one I’m working on currently. I’m going tear it down again to check things and then adjust.

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

What model and what problems are you having

[@onetireonfire2777]

Thank you Jon this is better than the Star Wars movies. 👏

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Lol thanks.

[@landerson1012]

In other words, it was easier for me to pay the $760 to the repair shop to fix my ancient 4010. The problem was under the dash as the steering wheel needed to be constantly turned to keep it out of the ditch. Glad I got rid of it. Traded for a MF 1655 ten years ago.

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

1655 like the compact utility tractor?

[@landerson1012]

@@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754 Yup. It's my winter tractor for snow removal. Love the creeper gear. Not traveling at road speed like the John Deere in reverse so one doesn't have to ride the clutch in taking the first bite of snow with the blower.

[@bryanginder5903]

Excellent video Jon!! I've been waiting for you to put this one up!!

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Hope it helps!

[@rgfarmsrepair503]

very good explanation is there a video you have of ur history? I haven't had time to watch all ur stuff just staying updated from when I found ur channel i'm assuming you were a deere mechanic at some point? I started with case ih during my diesel tech program back in 99 then to vermeer then started farming and doing repairs for several farmers out of my own shop like you way it looks

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Yep went to JD college in 94, worked at a few deere dealers, sold the dairy cows in 2003 and went into road work.

[@brianmckin1395]

Please keep these videos coming man, I'm pretty good on 20-55 series John Deere tractors because I have lots of them personally and work on lots but u are much better than me on knowledge and are excellent at explaining everything and how it works thank you

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Well thank you very much for the kind words.

[@Military-Museum-LP]

You seem to be very knowledgeable about 4020 tractors. We are located in Italia and we just purchased a 4020 with a loader. The loader is an Italian aftermarket brand. It is powered by a hydraulic pump mounted at the pto. The loader has its own hydraulic oil tank. My question is why couldn’t we use the tractors hydraulic system to power the loader? Thanks and we love your channel!

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Thanks for stopping by! You would be the first from Italy that i can remember! If it has the 8 Piston pump up front there is no reason. It's a very good system for a loader.

[@MY-bw2nb]

Oh shit now you got me second guessing my reassembly of that piston had to replace the o ring and seals on the shaft because it was pushing oil up the steering column haven't tried it yet the rest of my 4020 is still in pieces doing a complete restoration. Got into the transmission and had fun putting synchronizers together with out the proper tool to hold the 4 balls in place to get the collar together grease was my best friend to prevent the spring loaded balls from going tink tink across the floor lol well I'm happy i found this video so whe i get it running and the steering doesn't work I'll know what happened. One thing I don't understand is why they made the console area so tight to get the lines off and back on again there was lots of classic words and even a few new words involved lol. My 4020 looks just like yours pieces every where it all started with someone putting seals in backwards for main pto shaft took out clutches and cross shaft for hitch on bottom of diff housing then one thing led to another I'm in that far decided to do all the bushings on linkages brazing linkage holes and redrilling them when it's done should be like a new tractor. Sad thing is i can understand why I got the tractor so cheap it ran pretty good but spewed oil out of every place possible just time consuming resealing everything then i thought well so much work going into it decided to paint things up as i put it together never thought after 2 years i still have 4 skids of parts to go through yet before it gets done 🚜🚜🚬🚬🚬🤬🤬👍👍

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Ha! Fun.....lol Yeah they are good at packing pieces together.

[@danw6014]

Great video. My 4020 will be with me for the rest of my life. I'm hoping to tackle this job myself. By seeing this video I don't see why I can't do it myself. I have a service manual and parts catalog. Mine will turn the wheels to the left if it is sitting and running for a period like when I'm grinding feed. Does Deere or someone else have a complete rebuild kit? Thank you for posting this. With the cost of everything now self-sufficiency will be the key to our survival.

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Yep the o-ring kit you can get from John Deere. The exploded view Parts page, taking some pictures with your phone as you tear it apart oh, and just taking your time I bet it will work like a charm! In the tech manual it shows how you can plumb a hydraulic test kit

[@danw6014]

@@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754 thank you.

[@ToddFowler-n2t]

Great video. I am restoring a 3020 from head to toe that I grew up on and your videos are making a huge difference. Is it worth spending the extra $100 on the rebuild kit from Deere as opposed to aftermarket on these orings?

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

We have had tremendous luck with getting the engine kit from reliance and the gasket kit from john deere. I would never ever by Any engine stuff from A&I

[@rge2410]

John Deere for most of last half of the 20th century still had the best power steering for ease and speed of turning.

[@YefersonCaal-g2l]

Hola buena noche soy de Guatemala me gusta sus videos

[@wizardsgarage6582]

Good morning I am rebuilding a 1964 John Deere 3020 narrow front Diesel with a power shift. I had been rolled over and burnt up. I have rebuilt or replaced anything that was damaged. I am having trouble with the brakes and steering. with engine running the brakes apply, with engine off they seem normal. I have rebuilt the brake valve, and double checked my work. Also have a steering issue it takes a bit for the steering to start working, now I have oil coming out by the throttle and steering wheel area. Thanks Terry

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

For the steering you can rebuild them but there is some good aftermarket Replacements that get rid of that metering valve. For the brakes you're saying when you start the engine the brakes are on question mark double check your work again in that brake valve

[@BubbaTraylor]

Can you tell me if the steering valve section for a 3010 john deere gas engine is interchangeable with a 3010 diesel engine? Mine has gone out and I have access to a 3010 diesel steering valve section. Thanks so much I really enjoy yourvideos and how you dummy them down for the common man!

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

The valve should be the same? You could look in parts book.

[@jimbaker9405]

awesome video, very well explained. We have a 4010 we are stumped on, is there any way to contact you?

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Messenger, or [e-mail]

[@w056007568]

Outstanding video - more please!

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Thank you very much!

[@dagubment]

More, like the rest of it.

[@johnjr48]

Like the repair videos. I have a 4430 that occasionally takes a moment for the tire to catch up with the steering wheel when turning right only. Does not happen when turning left. Any ideas? Thanks and keep the videos coming.

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Early 4430? So if it's an early model then it would have a steering valve just like I showed in the video.

[@johnjr48]

@@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754 Yes early model, 1973.

[@joe_preston]

Jon, I sent an email as well but can you answer some bench test questions after a reseal?

[@andylonsdorf1294]

What do you think of the new steering gear from Farmland Parts?

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

I have heard that some of them are pretty nice At the cost of rebuilding the old one and have a potential Leak I would Probably go to one of them

[@mikevanbeek524]

So our 4250 runs augers and a 6 row John Deere planter with a hydraulic seeding blower on it. The front wheels always creep to the left within 15 min. Can a guy get a spool rebuild kit for the shuttle valve or do ya have to send it in for a core exchange? I'm capable of putting in a spool kit and seals. If machine work is required, then I'd get a whole shuttle valve itself. Thanks for your input.

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Some places have "reconditioned " It's likely the spool under the hood.

[@mikevanbeek524]

@@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754 yes, I believe so after watching your video. Can a guy get a repair kit for these? Or is it something they would have to machine for a newer spool for tolerance reasons?

[@mikevanbeek524]

So, looking at your comment section, I discovered an o'ring kit was mentioned. I'm good to go on that project. Have to look at the manual tomorrow in Braham. Thanks for everything.

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Here is the exploded view of the block under the hood. I was tempted to take one that leaks, send it out for ceramic coating or a piston skirt coating from snowmobile racing technology and see if it could fix one? partscatalog.deere.com/jdrc/sidebyside/equipment/64105/referrer/navigation/pgId/294144813

[@mikevanbeek524]

Nice. I'll check it out. Thanks for your input Jon. Always appreciated. 👍

[@alfredosabido2210]

I have a question, I have a problem with the steering wheel for a John Deere 4320. When driving it moves to one side. Or when moving to one side, the steering wheel get hard but eventually moves. My mechanic said its the housing that is not good. Help please.

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Steering valve under dash most likely can cause hard steering and delayed movement from steering wheel to front tires. As far as being able to turn the wheel and have your tires stay straight that could be a leak in the front Pistons or a leak in the valve under the dash

[@diegograndov5078]

Buenisimo el video desde Argentina una ves hice una caja de valvula de un 2420 con un amigo del taller de John Deere me recuerda esa epoca el tenia una llave espesial para regular las valvulas. hace unos dias consegui un manual para ver si puedo hacerlas yo aca en el campo saludos y gracias.

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Glad your here, can you translate this to english?

[@diegograndov5078]

@@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754 hola yo solo hablo español pero el traductor de google me lo traduce, gracias por leer mi comentario y responderlo.

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

@diegograndov5078 I tried to copy and paste it to Google translate but I can't

[@jonathanodermann913]

From the detail you have explained so far, you are clearly the guy to ask about JD steering. I have a JD 4430 that darts right on occasion. When it darts, a quick left hand correction on the steering wheel stops the dart and it will operate normally for a time. I assumed it was the steering sector and ordered a rebuilt one and had it installed. The problem didn’t reoccur for a while so I thought it was fixed. Recently it has started darting again. Not as fast as before, but if there is no correction from the steering wheel it will go to full right turn in a very short time. Any ideas? You pointed out a steering valve in front of the firewall, could this be the culprit?

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Do you have an early 4430 that had the 20 series steering?

[@jonathanodermann913]

@@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754 After investigating today, it appears I do have the older design. I didn’t see a valve block in front of the firewall on this 4430. The situation is this: less than a month ago I got the tractor back from the local shop after doing an engine overhaul and replacing the steering sector with a rebuilt unit ordered from wherever the shop orders units from. It cost $1600 for the refurbished unit. Anyway, it was darting bad before the overhaul/replacement work. At first when I got it back I didn’t notice any darting, but after using it in the hayfield cutting for about two weeks, I noticed that the darting is still happening albeit much slower. It will go to full lock right if the operator doesn’t correct the steering back to the left for a moment when it starts to dart.

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Darting is usually in the valve in the cab. Do they have a warranty on it?

[@CasperJohns]

Did you use feeler gauges to set .030 from the face plate? I followed these steps and when I put steering back into the tractor it didn't turn at all. I have pulled it out and re set everything several different times and no luck. I'm not sure if I'm turning the steering wheel far enough to the right before setting the weight on it before doing my adjustments ( I broke a plate on accident turning the steering wheel to far the very first time I took it apart). I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong or if there is air in the system somehow. Do you have to bleed the system somehow once installed?

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

.003" not .030" and the other is .001" Use dial indicator. Most of the time, no bleed is needed,

[@CasperJohns]

@@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754 sorry I meant when you installed the neutral stop plate that held the operating collar .030 from the face of the valve housing.

[@CasperJohns]

@@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754 which direction would you go as far as tractor not steering at all once put back together? Is the .003 and .001 adjustments off or something to do with the check valves under poppets?

[@michaeladkins3455]

I have a 4020 when you first start up and move steering wheel the tires don’t turn. The steering wheel will turn all the way to one side and it takes a minute to catch up. What would I be dealing with here Jon?

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Rest of the day is fine? What happens if you let tractor idle for a minute before moving?

[@Dale-oy5uo]

If you could give me a little information about the high and low and the high and low shifter

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Of a synchro range?

[@mn-1381]

Know anything about the old 4wd 7520 steering? Steers nice one way but a lot harder the other direction. Same theory?

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

pretty much. the control valve is the same but the external housing has some differences through the models.

[@michaelgoergen6702]

That’s why they call it family farming how many did you have to tear apart before you guys learned thanks for your fathers time

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

We still make mistakes. Ugh. Dad has been doing it for 53 years! Hope I am as good some day!

[@josephbivens3430]

We have a 4430 with the old 20 series style steering everything was working fine we blew a main hydro line dumped alot of oil. Replaced the line, refilled the hydro reservoir, started the tractor, moved all hydraulic functions to bleed any air, shut off the tractor to recheck oil, and when we restarted the tractor we had no steering. we eased it home mostly using the brakes to steer and now when we start the tractor we can not turn the steering wheel, its locked hard and the wheels seem to drift a little to the left. We turned the tractor off and disconnected the line going to the steering valve to the steering motor and the steering wheel will then turn and we can move the tires using a bar. Thinking we either have an internal crack in the steering valve or one or more of those six pistons you were talking about are stuck. Any thoughts. Thanks in advance

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Good question, have a tractor waiting to come in same scenario, changed front pump and now no steering to the right.

[@filipfilip5595]

hi, I have the same problem as you, but on the old 4020, did you solve this problem and how? Thanks.

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

That is kind of bizarre except we had one here that we fixed the front pump and then the steering wouldn't work to the right. Makes absolutely zero sense why that would happen. For basic Diagnostics with the lines on hooked and the front end jacked up off the ground you should be able to turn the wheels and oil should come out of each pipe for each Direction If you plug the lines coming from the metering valve you should not be able to turn the wheel much it all and it should get solid pretty quick.

[@filipfilip5595]

Thank you so much, when I start the tractor, it automatically turns the wheels to the left and locks the steering wheel. When I turn off the tractor and raise the front, I can turn the wheels with the steering wheel. One piston in the pump was broken. Sorry for my english, it is not my native language.

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

I wonder if some contamination didn't get into that metering valve? That's the only thing I can think of if it was working you made some repairs and now it's not. There are some aftermarket companies out there that eliminate that style of metering valve for not much difference in money versus trying to fix it or buying rebuilt units.

[@lesterxxx7642]

I GOT A 1972 OR 74 4030 darting, turn wheel & hold it then front tires move, anything you could tell me where to start looking. also have a uncle in Montrial Quebec, so i am going to use the dirty little Frenchmen saying i really like that

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

I would cap the lines down by the the front axle with the front axle off the ground can you take a big bar and try to turn the wheel if they slowly creep it's in the front axle Pistons. If it's solid it's either in the metering valve or the valve block

[@lesterxxx7642]

THANK YOU@@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754

[@nathankendall107]

Were do you get the seals. I'm ha ing a hard time find a kit

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

John deere parts.

[@herbal8558]

Hay kak,hadir menyimak kak.salam sehat sukses,n suport full

[@sti360]

Do I need to set the back lash if I’m only doing the gaskets and o ring replacement?

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

if you take it apart you have to double check lash, even if you dont touch the adjusting screws.

[@gerardoserrato350]

Mi dirección se pone dura i desbloquea cuál será el problema te Agradecería tu hayuda gracias

[@mrbill4187]

Your ah needing a pair of camera glasses😆 they went from a couple chains hooked to the front axle on the old steam engines to that in 40 years 🤣

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Lol!

[@gerardoserrato350]

Se podría traducir en español gracias mándeme respuesta

[@christopherbuxton3437]

Where does one get the tooling to do the adjustments?

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Simple dial indicator from an auto store or a tool shop. The little wrench dad just welded that up himself

[@christopherbuxton3437]

@@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754 don't you need tools to hold the pieces on the shaft in the right position to adjust the valves or is that why you have the weight holding the wheel?

[@christopherbuxton3437]

The tool to hold the collar

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Any special tool in the video we made.

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

@@christopherbuxton3437 yes that is why you have the weight hanging on the steering wheel

[@gerardoserrato350]

Jon ETEVENS me podrias vender un manual de 4020

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Can you translate this?

[@daleolson3506]

Big budd is being built again

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

I heard about that. What are your thoughts on it? For the last several years versatile has been doing that. A truck engine that any truck shop can work on a cat transmission and an open platform for technology

[@daleolson3506]

@@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754 the purchase price and maintaining tractors has reached the tipping point. The transmission and emission systems repair costs along with the resulting engine damage that is caused by said emission systems is not sustainable. I can’t imagine paying 300 thousand for a tractor and within 6000hours being hit with a 40,000 thousand dollar repair bill. Not sustainable. John Deere has lost touch with who brought them to the top. They buy from the cheapest supplier,and charge like there is no tomorrow. No worries about how long the parts last. Just my opinion. The same thing is happening in appliances,cars,trucks,and hospitals.

[@dagubment]

Inconclusive. Where’s the rest of the video for the adjustment? You didn’t explain very well. After you set the first two screws do you move the dial indicator to the other plate? Are you pulling on the screw to get the plate to collar clearance? What clearance are you setting? This needs to be explained a lot better, without moving the camera all over the place except to where you’re trying to explain the area you’re adjusting.

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

We have another one coming in, I will try again.

[@dennisdunnuck1708]

Lol complicated simple

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Lol. Typical JD of that era.

[@LtColDaddy71]

Day Job, Regenerative Agriculturalists, AND a mechanical side hustle?

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

This is now my day job. As soon as we broke ground I quit!

[@LtColDaddy71]

@@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754 Congrats! Very happy for you.

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Thank you very much. The last couple repair videos I've had such a great feedback from you guys maybe I need to do another tool set giveaway.

[@LtColDaddy71]

@@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754 I wouldn't give away jack if I were you. All the time, all the effort, we watch it for free aside from having to deal with an annoying ad or two. It's the deal of the century for people like me who refuse to watch TV except for FOX News, so we go to KZbin.

[@karlsborgwi.jewell9919]

Don’t call the hall Jon does it all!

[@joe_preston]

Jon, I sent an email as well but can you answer some bench test questions after a reseal?