Have been thinking about this for a while and was wondering if anyone HAS changed the 15/40 oil for the box and fan motors to a reg' hydraulic oil or something else?
The recommended is Delo 400 -15/40 but in my "old" machining and hydr' days anything pertaining to HYDRAULICS was a thin 10wt or so oil. SO, who has actually done this and if so any noticable benefits or negatives?
JohnH
John,I have read some of the past posts and a couple of the guys have changed to hyd oil,maybe we can get long term
results.Other than it is what foretravel calls for one reason in favor of the delo would be it's the same oil as the engine takes.
We could use the amsoil that we use in our engines.
The sticker on my oil reservoir specifically states Delo 400 15/40 so that is what I put in when I did my seal replacement and it has worked as good as new sense the re-build. This is where I got the supplies and they are an authorized "Sheppard" Rebuild shop.
Power Steering SpecialistsPower Steering Specialists | We Steer You Right (http://www.pss1.com/)
Seals only installed no leaks no more problems.. Did the work myself $ 67.00 +/-. ^.^d
I have changed to hydraulic oil. See my posts and Sheppard's PDF saying acceptable here:
Hydraulic Fan Motor Upgrade/Replace (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=22839.msg182441#msg182441)
Hydraulic Pump Replacement or Repair (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=26340.msg211674#msg211674)
Gerry, when you say "seal replacement" are you talking about the steering input ones or a complete kit?
I have done the steering input ones while on the road. I too have that sticker on resevoir BUT there are other oils out there that may do as good or better job. I use Amsoil Torque Drive in Allison contrary to what another member (ex Castrol guy I believe) warned me not to do and it has worked better than the Transynd which I dumped out!! I have over 30k miles on it since and has not self destructed like I was told.
Still interested to hear from actuall members who have done the change, not just thought about it like me.
JohnH
Hi John, I removed the complete steering gear box and replaced both seals, the one that the pitman arm is attached to and some inner seals as well. On my unit the pitman arm attached to the steering box on the opposite side of the box, I do not know if that was done by Foretravel so in would align better or why? but other than being heavy and having to find a toque wrench that went to 350 ft/lbs the job was not that bad. there is a full video on you-tube that shows the process. It's been a couple of years so my memory is fading.
I run the same oil as in the M11. Rotella T6 5w-40 full synthetic.
I don't know if our FT's use the same Danfloss pump and motors as Monaco , but my 1996 Monaco uses Dextron atf. I rebuilt the motor on one of the fans because it was so hard to get out. All that was actually bad was the seal. I believe a lot of the systems can run different oils. One of my cranes lets me run either Dextron or 15/40 but requires flushing to keep the system uncontaminated.
My friends CCoach Magna next to me here in S Carlos also uses Dextron and that is why I asked this question
JohnH
John,this may be an option,run the 15w40 but use one of these numerous additives for power steering seals.
John H
If it has been working okay for many years, why change to a different type of oil? Just another type of oil to have on hand. I have never had to add oil to the hydraulic system even though I had a small leak for awhile.