Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Kirk Joorabchi on October 03, 2022, 04:07:51 pm

Title: Steering Gear Box
Post by: Kirk Joorabchi on October 03, 2022, 04:07:51 pm
My Steering gear box is leaking and I want to get a Red Head re-manufactured replacement. I have a 1994 Grand Villa 280U on a Foretravel chassis. Does anyone know what type of box it is or a part number, so that when I contact Red Head I know what to tell them? I am attaching a few pictures if this would help.
Title: Re: Steering Gear Box
Post by: craneman on October 03, 2022, 04:51:54 pm
It appears to be a Sheppard M100 but it doesn't matter as you will send your box to them.
Title: Re: Steering Gear Box
Post by: Kirk Joorabchi on October 03, 2022, 07:33:13 pm
Thank you very much!
Title: Re: Steering Gear Box
Post by: James Bock on October 03, 2022, 08:03:56 pm
Redhead is very responsive, and great to work with! I just replaced my steering box a few weeks ago. It's a job, it will require some help to lower and lift the box into position (heavy sob)..... and you need the special tool too.
Title: Re: Steering Gear Box
Post by: craneman on October 03, 2022, 08:06:48 pm
Redhead is very responsive, and great to work with! I just replaced my steering box a few weeks ago. It's a job, it will require some help to lower and lift the box into position (heavy sob)..... and you need the special tool too.

Don't see a picture of the 5/8 allen socket which is needed also.
Title: Re: Steering Gear Box
Post by: James Bock on October 03, 2022, 08:31:55 pm
It's in there in the picture.... Lower left
Title: Re: Steering Gear Box
Post by: craneman on October 03, 2022, 08:48:37 pm
Got it.
Title: Re: Steering Gear Box
Post by: FourTravelers on October 03, 2022, 08:58:24 pm
The U280 must be different than a U320 as far as steering box replacement. I had ours replaced while on the road in Tillamook Oregon, we did not have to pull the steering wheel as shown in the photo. All work was from underneath, the family stayed in the coach while I sat and watched the two mechanics replace it. About 2 hours to remove and replace.
Title: Re: Steering Gear Box
Post by: craneman on October 03, 2022, 09:04:48 pm
The U280 must be different than a U320 as far as steering box replacement. I had ours replaced while on the road in Tillamook Oregon, we did not have to pull the steering wheel as shown in the photo. All work was from underneath, the family stayed in the coach while I sat and watched the two mechanics replace it. About 2 hours to remove and replace.

If you have 2 people you can pull the box away from the steering wheel splines from below. But much easier to remove when one person is doing it.
Title: Re: Steering Gear Box
Post by: Pamela & Mike on October 03, 2022, 09:05:30 pm
The U280 must be different than a U320 as far as steering box replacement..

There is a lot more room to work on a 280 compared to the 320s. The 320 has the generator box in the way where the 280 there is plenty of room to set up on a bucket and do the removal.

Mike
Title: Re: Steering Gear Box
Post by: FourTravelers on October 03, 2022, 09:32:33 pm
There is a lot more room to work on a 280 compared to the 320s. The 320 has the generator box in the way where the 280 there is plenty of room to set up on a bucket and do the removal.

Mike
I would think that the elevated platform of GV would allow more room below also.....
 
Title: Re: Steering Gear Box
Post by: Kirk Joorabchi on October 03, 2022, 09:56:06 pm
Lots of great information, I feel much better about the whole thing. Thank you all very much!