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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: CAPEHORN31 on April 11, 2024, 03:08:48 pm

Title: leaking steering box 1997 U295
Post by: CAPEHORN31 on April 11, 2024, 03:08:48 pm
leaking steering box 1997 U295.  the round plate on the side of the box is pouring oil out the bottom.  Is the part number for the seal kit 5545221 from redhead?  no leaks anywhere else. 
Title: Re: leaking steering box 1997 U295
Post by: Pamela & Mike on April 11, 2024, 05:30:07 pm
Don't know about Red Head but have used these folks before and was pleased. Don't know them or get any kick back from them so shop around for the best price.
For Sheppard M90 M100 Steering Gear Sector Shaft Seal Kit Parts 5545741,... (https://www.ebay.com/itm/394199026406?itmmeta=01HV7GVMJGP95NJ0PEFW0C7D7Z&hash=item5bc817cae6:g:p2gAAOSwvWli9mjy&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8Cdtb0yJ1F%2BKEHHZ4P8IpDRRfhAMKufDeqmpXvt23Iv%2Fk2vmY1zRucBhWZvpgOyPPsug%2BdNPtnowSvwTnv3YVT6P16baV%2BVjpZmwRuYFj%2FULpoMfu9abyQ6NYshIQn48Fl2oo63Y2AFTRl9lFfCmPHBwkOhcmSZYKse6Aoei6%2FagvThnPTIBaalyw3LtJl3KR8KRWEkWATwyTwSFyIeo5zKUTsXJwAeWbXAW%2BQUXZMFjM0kxc286xzhpAoKqglGytf8QAcmD5Wcsx%2FBgUZTujCAuH2OplE56%2BVc0SOme28Yx5ARkAjp07wBjE0pvSQmL9A%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7bJ7vDZYw)

Mike
Title: Re: leaking steering box 1997 U295
Post by: rusczyk56 on April 11, 2024, 08:07:37 pm
Problem with a field rebuild/reseal on a Sheppard 100 that old is the slop that will remain.  They are loose to begin with and get worse with age.  Have the cost of doing the job is the labor in and out and back in again. 

If you get a Redhead rebuild or exchange, they custom fit all the ball bearings to take as much slop out as possible as well as completely inspect every last part and replace as needed.

I had the infamous "leak" as well as sloppy steering (didn't know how bad until it was until the Rebuilt unit went in).  Cost for the reman was about $1k including freight back and forth (they handle all of that).  Labor was additional....done a Josam in Orlando...  Also replaced drag link ends as they were a little loose. 

Do it "once....right" and be done with it for your lifetime....  JMHO...
Title: Re: leaking steering box 1997 U295
Post by: dsd on April 11, 2024, 09:36:15 pm
Problem with a field rebuild/reseal on a Sheppard 100 that old is the slop. Cost for the reman was about $1k including freight back and forth (they handle all of that). 

Do it "once....right" and be done with it for your lifetime....  JMHO...

 Well this may be true but in my coach reasealing was a good way to go. If you do have steering issues before I certainly agree. But for me mine steered real good IMO. Please look at the link. The original sector seal are not the correct back up compound. It is certainly a horrible job but. Can be done inframe. I was told by A very respectable forum member that the steering shaft seal does not have the same issue. I DID NOT CHANGE, mine has been perfect since resealing. 20K miles and total miles at about 75K.
 Steering gearbox leak (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=43263.0)
If it's the left side leaking it is fairly easy to reseal. The side with the pitman arm is not easy and in similar condition. Mark D made some video also
Title: Re: leaking steering box 1997 U295
Post by: CAPEHORN31 on April 16, 2024, 09:57:44 pm
Removed and replaced the seal on the non pitman arm side.  The inner part of the seal was cracked which caused the leak.  I did not have to remove anything to access the plate. No leaks but  I will change the seal on the pitman side before I take any long-extended trips.  Thanks again for the help on this forum.
Title: Re: leaking steering box 1997 U295
Post by: RWE LOST on November 18, 2024, 06:45:59 pm
My U295 has the same leak, from what looks like a very small vent hole on the plate opposite the pitman arm, the only one I can see as I look in from the passenger side access hatch.  If I read the above posts correctly, I get two different part numbers for seal kits; 5545221 or 5545741.  Not sure which one is needed and Christina, at RED HEAD STEERING GEARS, wanted me to confirm my gear box was a M100 PDP1, which I have no way of knowing.
My local shop has no experience with these seal kits and suggested a rebuilt box swap out with a repair quote on $1K to 1.5K.
Title: Re: leaking steering box 1997 U295
Post by: Rudy on November 18, 2024, 06:48:41 pm
Danny,  call me before 8 pm central time.  Rudy Legett. 7 one 3. 8 one 8. 3234
Title: Re: leaking steering box 1997 U295
Post by: steve on November 18, 2024, 07:26:30 pm
This may give you some more information: Sheppard Power Steering M100PDP1 (https://wiki.foreforums.com/doku.php?id=technical:chassis:sheppard)  There is a short video on that page that helps you identify which Sheppard unit you have.

Also an alternative to Red Head is Chalks in Houston Chalk's Truck Parts - Mid & Heavy Trucks, Bus Parts - Houston, TX (https://chalks.com/) All depends on where you are located.
Title: Re: leaking steering box 1997 U295
Post by: Geodmann on November 18, 2024, 08:42:18 pm
Few of our coaches probably really need a fully rebuilt steering gear.  Don't be afraid to replace the seals and see if that solves your problem for much less expense, no shipping hassles and no down time.  Especially if the leak you have is the outboard side opposite the pitman arm.  That is a particularly easy seal to get to.  I wound up having to do mine twice because after I replaced the sector shaft seals, 6 months later my input shaft seal started leaking.  I wound up removing the entire gear box the second time and (fingers crossed) it's been dry ever since.  No regrets and I've only got about $150 invested in the repair.
Title: Re: leaking steering box 1997 U295
Post by: John44 on November 19, 2024, 06:25:25 pm
If the "local shop" can't,won't or does'nt know how to put a seal in and wants to replace the box,I would run like hell and find a
better shop.
Title: Re: leaking steering box 1997 U295
Post by: dsd on November 19, 2024, 10:43:00 pm
Few of our coaches probably really need a fully rebuilt steering gear.  Don't be afraid to replace the seals and see if that solves your problem for much less expense, no shipping hassles and no down time.  Especially if the leak you have is the outboard side opposite the pitman arm.  That is a particularly easy seal to get to.  I wound up having to do mine twice because after I replaced the sector shaft seals, 6 months later my input shaft seal started leaking.  I wound up removing the entire gear box the second time and (fingers crossed) it's been dry ever since.  No regrets and I've only got about $150 invested in the repair.
I 100% agree. If you don't have steering issues. This is bull work. Pitman arm puller and the seals to do myself was under $200
Title: Re: leaking steering box 1997 U295
Post by: hdff on November 21, 2024, 09:56:15 pm
This may give you some more information: Sheppard Power Steering M100PDP1 (https://wiki.foreforums.com/doku.php?id=technical:chassis:sheppard)  There is a short video on that page that helps you identify which Sheppard unit you have.

Also an alternative to Red Head is Chalks in Houston Chalk's Truck Parts - Mid & Heavy Trucks, Bus Parts - Houston, TX (https://chalks.com/) All depends on where you are located.
Chalks has done an excellent job for me, and about 10 miles from the house so no freight charges......


Keith