We are baffled at the situation that has JUST been discovered after traveling 6 hrs. and stopping in N Fla.
With NO apparent difficulty driving, at the unhooking tow we discovered a sheen of oil alongside the entire left side of the coach and tow vehicle.
Upon further investigation the most forward compartment (under driver) base was drenched and dripping with oil. Yes we had jugs of motor oil stored there but there was plenty left in each one... so can assume none were punctured and leaking. In excess of 2 qts. leaked from the sopping we did. The oil was clean and clear so not from generator or engine.? It's not hydraulic, red color, so not from the slide?? SOOOoooo where can it be coming from?
Hate to drive now not knowing where this leak comes from .. ANYONE have a thought ?
Thanks. Sue & Fred
Steering hydraulics, perhaps?
ETA after searching the forum I found a couple of threads on steering box leaks - Dave K's description of the oil in the bay sounds similar to your issue
Steering box leak (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=19456.0)
Sheppard Power Steering Gear Box Rebuild/Maintenance (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=18447.0)
Leaking steering box on 99 U270 (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=11216.0)
Torque as many of the fasteners as you can get to and see what happens.
If it has stopped leaking.. excellent. If it continues to leak when you are driving and doesn't leak when parked, clean off as much of the drippings as you are able and get a can of Permatex spay gasket sealer. Not sure if it will work but it won't hurt to try. Several applications about 30 mins apart and do not let it dry up between applications.
I've used the Permatex spray in those areas and had success 90% of the time (transmissions, steering boxes, pan & diff gaskets etc..)
If a seal is your issue, the spray will be a waste of energy.
Steering gear! Been there, done that! Twice! It could be something else, but your description is that of a leak from the steering gear (power steering unit).
Our first leak was "minor." We lost a quart about every 200 miles. We could keep up with the leak by frequently filling the hydraulic reservoir in the engine compartment. We had the leak fixed at FOT. Ours required a replacement steering gear at about two coach bucks. Some require only seal replacements at about $350-800.
Our second failure was immediately a serious problem. Fortunately, it happened close to a our destination, which was only three blocks from a repair facility. We dropped about four gallons of oil in only a few miles. Radiator fans shut down due to lack of hydraulic pressure.
Your leak is probably a worn seal. The seals are relatively inexpensive and available at many truck repair facilities. Some seals can be replaced without pulling the steering gear. Lots of information regarding seal replacement is available at Videos (http://www.rhsheppard.com/videos.htm).
Call or email if you want to talk to me about my experiences. (dave@stevens.com, 713-419-0313). Rudy Leggett in Baytown, TX, also has experience with the issue. He is familiar with folk who can help in the Houston area.
Check your front wheel seals.
My bet is steering gear. Lucas makes a hydraulic system stop leak. Pour the max in per directions and pray. I would talk to Sheppard about a re-manufacturing steering box. They build to order, so it could take a couple weeks to do. Mine failed right around Christmas, so I had to wait out a holiday shutdown, but they were prompt thereafter. Talk to them. If you can clean up the box with brake cleaner so you can tell the source of the leak, they'll be able to tell you the chance of an in situ repair holding. Good luck!
You should also check the oil level in the hydraulic oil reservoir ASAP. If it is coming from the steering box, which is highly likely, you can run the reservoir dry and ruin the pump and contaminate the whole system !
MANY thanks for ALL your comments folks......
we're in the midst of removing the gearbox as it's more than a little oil leaking.
We were fortunate to find a mobile repair man who cam to this Park.
Fortrvl says it's not an uncommon occurrence to have them malfunction, also we find that the gear box was custom made for Frtrvl.
Consequently they are no longer available. Our only option is to rebuild this one we have.
Am interested if others have had any experiences with REBUILT steering boxes. There's a 'kit' for rebuilding available.
Merry Christmas
Sue and Fred
Sue & Fred,
Had our 93 steering box rebuilt. Never a problem after that was done. Think total cost was $700. Sold the coach when we upgraded. Never heard of any more problems from next owner..
These guys have a very good reputation among the RV suspension gurus (Henderson, Precision Alignment, etc): Red-Head Steering Gears - Custom Rebuilt Steering Gear Boxes in USA (http://www.redheadsteeringgears.com/)
And mis-adjusted steering stops can easily cause blown seals. Said another way, there should always be at least a 1/8" gap between physical stop on the steering knuckle and the limit controlled by the steering box. This is an easy external adjustment on the steering box (those tiny standard screws-- one on top, one on bottom of the box.
Brett
Our 1997 U295 uses a Sheppard M100 steering gear, which I understand is a common unit for trucks. FOT exchanged ours for a rebuilt unit from Sheppard. We had a failure of a seal in the rebuilt that was probably caused by lack of the proper adjustments to which Brett Wolfe referred in a previous post. The improper adjustment was probably the result of some work done long after the steering gear was installed. Other than the failure due to the maladjustment, the replacement unit has worked well. After the seal was replaced, my wife and I were able to make the adjustment of the relief plungers.
Twice I talked to a field service representative at R. L. Sheppard. He was very friendly and helpful. He described the probable cause of our second failure, gave me the part number to repair it, and told me where I could by the part locally.
The leak you have experienced is not uncommon, and repairing the unit should be relatively straightforward. If I were going to have a unit rebuilt, I would probably check with people that Brett Wolfe recommended.
My seal started leaking about a year ago, very simple, had FOT, Wayne in the front end shop remove and reseal and reinstall, total about $500.00.
Been fine since.
Dave M