Does anyone know what series power steering gear is installed on a 98 U270? Blew one of the seals today. From what I've found it would appear a knowledgeable mechanic could install the seal without removing the steering gear from the motor home.
FOT shop, Wayne did my steering seal, total under $500.00 parts & labor. About 2 yrs ago, the best I can recall.
Suspect you will find it a Sheppard M100. But, verify before ordering parts.
If that is the steering box, it will have Sheppard M100 embossed on the outside of the box, so it is easy to verify.
You are probably asking yourself, "Where do I find that number, to
verify?" Here is the answer (right at the top of the linked page):
Sheppard Steering M100PDP1 (http://beamalarm.com/Documents/sheppard_steering_M100PDP1.html)
Oh, and the #1 cause of blown seals is that the end stops are not correctly set. If the steering knuckles are allowed to hit the stops metal to metal (there should be at 1/8-1/4" clearance) PSI's jump WAY up.
The metal stops are to limit wheel cut angle such at you always have clearance between tire and suspension components.
The, the tiny standard screws on the Sheppard box are used to make sure you have the 1/8- 1/4" clearance with wheel hard over in each direction.
Not difficult to do and no special tools required.
Grover,
Lots of info on this subject. You can do a search and get more. "Search" is located under the "Community" tab
Here is one;
http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=post;quote=143829;topic=20006.0;last_msg=143971
Good luck,
To save you time reading. Here is what I have figured out.
Your seal went out because it is a 1998 coach. I have a 1997 and my seal went out last year. In doing research, age is the problem not the miles ( I only have 65,000 miles). Do not replace just this seal. Have the unit removed and rebuilt with all new seals. People that had just the leaking seal replaced soon had one of the others to start leaking shortly later.
After I had mine replaced, the steering was way easier and was tighter then the old unit.
If I had known this problem is age related I would have had it replaced on my terms instead on the leak terms.
Remove it and send it off to be blueprinted/rebuilt. Do the whole thing once and don't worry about it. Previous owner had seals put in the steering box on mine (mechanic said he got seals from freightliner), but the box has play it and is annoying going down the road.
No first hand experience, but this is the place most of the RV suspension shops recommend for blue-printing the Sheppard box: Red-Head Steering Gears - Custom Rebuilt Steering Gear Boxes in USA (http://www.redheadsteeringgears.com/)
X2 on just removing it have it rebuilt completely and be done with it. As Brent said make site your steering knuckle stops are set correctly or your new box will soon be toast.
I had mine replaced last year with a rebuilt from Sheppard. The first one failed due to incorrect installation and set up. However the shop and Sheppard covered the replacement. I can tell you that getting the gear in and out is not something you want to do for fun.
They rebuilt mine last summer.
GREAT price
GREAT 24hr turn around and fast shipping
GREAT people to deal with!
I've decided to go with Red-Head Steering Gears for gear box service. Thanks to all. I'll post and update once project is completed.
If you need to borrow the Pittman arm puller and steering box shaft to Pittman arm retaining nut socket, contact me.