D17 IV Power Steering Belt
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=194956
Printed Date: 29 Aug 2025 at 2:46pm
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Topic: D17 IV Power Steering Belt
Posted By: Dave (NE)
Subject: D17 IV Power Steering Belt
Date Posted: 03 May 2023 at 7:36am
I have a D17 IV diesel. When turning the wheels with the tractor sitting still or moving very slow, the power steering belt will squeal. I have the belt tightened to spec and the power steering fluid is full. Is this normal or is there some other adjustment I need to make?It has become especially bad now that I have the #500 loader mounted on the tractor, but was an issue even before mounting the loader. Thanks, Dave
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Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. Mark Twain.
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Replies:
Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 03 May 2023 at 7:41am
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Are you sure it's the belt squealing?? I might think the relief valve is relieving and it makes a squealing sound. A loader would add more stress to the steering system. What oil are you using ?? Should try 821XL.
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Posted By: SteveM C/IL
Date Posted: 03 May 2023 at 8:54am
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How do you tighten a belt to spec? Only place I've seen that mentioned they used a scale to apply deflection pressure and measure the movement. If you think it's slipping you could over tighten it for a bit to see if it quits. China belts aren't worth installing.
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Posted By: Dave (NE)
Date Posted: 03 May 2023 at 9:38am
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well, when I said to spec, I meant to what the manual says; tighten to 1/2" of slack.
By relief valve, do you mean the cylinder piece where you add fluid? Is there a need to do anything if it is this valve? The fluid I use says it is compatible with 821.
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Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. Mark Twain.
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Posted By: Dave (NE)
Date Posted: 03 May 2023 at 9:43am
oops, I meant 1/8" belt slack
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Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. Mark Twain.
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Posted By: Dave (NE)
Date Posted: 03 May 2023 at 9:45am
I see from the manual the oil filler cap is also referred to as breather cap, so assume that is what you are talking about when you say relief valve?
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Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. Mark Twain.
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Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 03 May 2023 at 10:42am
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Relief valve is built into the pump. It allows the pump to build 1600 psi and no more. When the valve opens, it squeals. All hydraulic pumps must have a protection for a max pressure or they would explode when over-pressurized. Air up the front tires to 30-32 psi.
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Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 03 May 2023 at 5:30pm
could be old belt or worn pulley also... spray some water / dish soap on the belt and then try to turn.. If there is a DIFFERENCE in sound, you know its the belt..
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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Posted By: Dave (NE)
Date Posted: 03 May 2023 at 8:21pm
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I was wondering if the front tires would make a difference. The prior owner had put truck tires on the front wheels. They had decent tread, so never thought too much about it. However, I wonder if three rib tractor tires would be better.
I'll try the water/soap test with the belt.
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Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. Mark Twain.
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Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 03 May 2023 at 9:44pm
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The higher the air pressure the easier they will steer of any type of tread. What is the air pressure ??
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Posted By: Dave (NE)
Date Posted: 04 May 2023 at 7:58am
Current air pressure is 30 psi. I'll put some more in and see if that makes a difference.
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Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. Mark Twain.
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Posted By: Dave (NE)
Date Posted: 04 May 2023 at 5:59pm
Filled the tires up to 40 psi. Seemed to work better as long as I was moving with the tractor, however, with it sitting still there was the squeal. Guess I'll always just have to be moving when I turn the steering wheel. My other IV with loader doesn't do this.
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Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. Mark Twain.
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Posted By: Dave (NE)
Date Posted: 04 May 2023 at 6:00pm
The other IV is gas with a #17 loader on it, so a lot less weight on the front end. Perhaps the difference!
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Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. Mark Twain.
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Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 04 May 2023 at 6:23pm
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The diesel engine is heavier too, compared to the gasser. You could install a new belt and it would perform better than a worn one. One thing to be aware of is that a new belt will have a break-in period and will need to be retightened soon after it goes into service.
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Posted By: MACK
Date Posted: 04 May 2023 at 8:51pm
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I'm guessing relief valve pressure may be low. Let it squall for a short time, shut it off and see if pump pulley is worm. MACK
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Posted By: Dave (NE)
Date Posted: 06 May 2023 at 6:55pm
So, if the issue is the relief valve, what is the remedy? Is that just a way of relieving pressure, and it is normal?
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Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. Mark Twain.
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Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 06 May 2023 at 8:13pm
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The remedy ?? Well, you'd start by jury rigging a pressure gauge on the power steering pumps outlet line and seeing if the relief is set for 1600 psi (spec) or less than 1600 psi. It would be easier to make sure the spindles are greased well (with the front wheels off the ground) and install the small tires from the tractor that you say has no problems. That test may settle your complaint.....big tires turn harder.
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Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 06 May 2023 at 8:33pm
jack up the front end so the tires are just touching the ground with about 25% of the total front end weight. Now "steer" the tractor and see if the noise is present in the BELT or the RELIEF valve.
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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Posted By: Mikez
Date Posted: 06 May 2023 at 8:45pm
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Did I read it has loader on it. How is it with bucket on ground an no weight on tires
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Posted By: Dave (NE)
Date Posted: 07 May 2023 at 1:00pm
With the front wheels off the ground, no squeal. I greased the front spindles and there is still the squeal when the tractor isn't moving. Can't readily switch tires/wheels from other D17 as it is 5 bolt hubs where this diesel is 6, or I'd try that. I'm tempted to just leave things alone now and make sure I always try to be moving when turning the wheels.
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Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. Mark Twain.
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Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 07 May 2023 at 1:03pm
I dont know for sure... but that might be normal for a heavy diesel tractor, with big tires and a loader on the front...In the "old days" before power steering on a car, you learned to "turn the wheel" as you came to a stop, or as you started to move forward.. Never when setting still ....Similar high effort.
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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Posted By: Dave (NE)
Date Posted: 08 May 2023 at 9:19am
Yeah, I've thought that about the tires maybe needing to be replaced. I've had the tractor for 15 years and been thinking about getting some appropriate tractor tires. What size 16" tires are recommended for the series IV diesel?
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Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. Mark Twain.
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Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 08 May 2023 at 11:17am
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Most D-17's had 6:00 or 6:50 x 16's. A few series 4's may have had 7:50 x 16's. The farther the center of the tire gets from the spindle's vertical centerline, the harder it will turn. So, the wider the tire, it is probably getting farther away from that centerline.
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Posted By: Dave (NE)
Date Posted: 13 May 2023 at 9:05am
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Well, broke down and bought a set of 6.50 x 16 three rib tractor tires. Got them on yesterday. Seems to have helped, but not a complete fix to the issue. Guess I'll live with it and generally try to be moving when I turn the steering wheel. Anyway, like the look a lot better than when it had the old truck tires on it. Thanks for all of the assistance and comments. Dave
BTW, sure was impressed with how the #500 loader will lift the front end off the ground. Never even had to use a jack!
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Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. Mark Twain.
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