
Steering Wheel and Column Assembly Repair 1600 SRM 485
A gear on the shaft of the steering wheel drives the
gear of the optical encoder as the steering wheel is
moved to steer the lift truck. The optical encoder
sends a signal to the activator. The activator com-
pletes the battery negative circuit for the steering
contactor to energize the steering pump motor. See
Figure 4 and Figure 19 for the electrical connections
for Power Steering with the On-Demand system.
Also see Diagrams section for your unit. The steer-
ing control unit is also operated by the steering
wheel to direct oil to the steering cylinder or hy-
draulic motor.
NOTE: On units with a steering axle, there is a
pressure switch in the hydraulic circuit. Any time
the system is operational and the system pressure
is above 2.07 kPa (0.3 psi), the switch energizes the
contactor for the steering pump motor. This pressure
switch allows the system to continue to operate even
if the steering wheel is not moving.
Units that have On-Demand steering have an opti-
cal encoder circuit. A gear on the shaft of the steering
wheel moves the gear of the optical encoder when the
steering wheel is moved. See Figure 4, Figure 6 and
Figure 7. The optical encoder sends a signal to the ac-
tivator assembly. The activator assembly completes
the battery negative circuit for the steering contactor
to energize the steering pump motor. The steering
wheel also operates the steering control unit. When
the steering wheel is rotated to steer the lift truck,
the hydraulic oil is sent to the steering cylinder on
the steering axle.
The steering control unit is a rotary valve operated
by the steering wheel. During the steering operation,
the steering control unit controls the direction of flow
and volume of oil to control the direction and degree
of turn. On units with an MDU, the hydraulic motor
has a sprocket on the output shaft that rotates the
MDU by a steering chain. On units that have a steer
axle, the steering cylinder moves the steering link-
agetomovethesteerwheels. Hydraulicoilreturns
fromthehydraulicmotororcylindertothesteering
control unit and then returns to the hydraulic tank.
If for any reason the steering pump does not operate,
a check valve permits the steering control unit to still
control the steering system. The lift truck is difficult
to steer when the steering pump is not operating, but
the steering control unit can operate the hydraulic
motororsteeringcylinderandmakessteeringpossi-
ble.
Steering Wheel and Column Assembly Repair
The upper end of the steering shaft has splines for
the steering wheel. A large nut holds the steering
wheel onto the steering shaft. The horn button is the
cover for the center of the steering wheel. The lower
end of the steering shaft has splines or a tang to en-
gage the steering control unit. A push rod allows the
horn button to actuate the horn switch. See Figure 4,
Figure 5, Figure 6 and Figure 7.
The steering column is adjustable and is held in posi-
tion by a latch. The steering column position can be
changed for different operators. The steering column
must be raised to the UP position to provide clear-
ance for the seat when removing or installing the
battery. There is a cover on the steering column for
access to the steering control unit, key switch, horn
switch, direction switch (if installed), optical encoder,
and on some units, the activator. The activator on
many of the XM units is under the instrument panel
to the left of steering column.
ASSEMBLY COMPONENTS, REMOVE
NOTE: See the section, Steering Control Unit for
your unit for the correct repair procedures for the
steering control unit.
NOTE: This procedure is for the removal of all com-
ponents of the steering column assembly. Usually it
is not necessary to remove all of the components. Do
only those steps of the procedure necessary to remove
the component you need to remove.
1. Disconnect the battery and attach a tag on the
truck battery connector, stating DO NOT CON-
NECT BATTERY. Raise the steering column to
the UP position. Remove the access cover from
the steering column.
2. Remove the housing of the steering column. Re-
move key switch. Make an identification of the
electrical wires and disconnect them from the key
switch.
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