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Topic: Steering Gear Oil Leak - 96 U270 (Read 1380 times) previous topic - next topic

Steering Gear Oil Leak - 96 U270

My Sheppard M100PDP1 steering gear box has been leaking oil for about 4 months.  I haven't been driving it much, so not too urgent a fix.  Leaks a drop about every 3 to 5 seconds.  At first I thought the leak was at the input seal, but later determined it is the seal on the sector or pitman arm shaft.  Thought I had a deal with a large truck repair shop to repair it but  he told me that if it had to be disassembled to replace seals they would not do that.  Since I knew it would have to be disassembled, I contacted Sheppard and got a remanufactured box.  Big mistake as now they don't want to do it as I have the part.  Thought I was doing them a favor as they wouldn't have to order the part and wait for it too arrive, which took a week.  Contacted another shop, same story.  Guess they want to make some money on the part.  I don't have the equipment to remove the nut on the pitman arm that is torqued to 350 ft lbs, and a $200 puller to remove the pitman arm.  I did try to remove the nut with a breaker bar and also an impact wrench, but it didn't move.  I had to slide the generator out in order to get the impact wrench in place.  I would buy the puller, if I could just get the nut off.

I'm now thinking I will have to drive it to Nacogdoches to get it fixed, and hope that on the way the leak doesn't get any worse.  Besides the factory is there someone else in Nacogdoches that does this work.  I remember reading about someone that was good at steering alignment.  Would appreciate a name and phone number if you have it. 

I believe the Sheppard box is only available now as a remanufactured unit M100PDP1R.  By the way it weighs 100 lbs and the nut takes a 5/8" hex wrench. 
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: Steering Gear Oil Leak - 96 U270

Reply #1 –
Jerry, check with Rudy Leggett. He knows someone who will do the work. However, it may not be any closer than NAC. I think it was Don and Tys who used "Big Truck Alignment" (Hayden Haskins) in NAC or Lufkin. They had a good experience with alignment. I had a bad experience with "Big Truck Alignment" four years ago, but it was a subcontract job and I did not personally deal with them. Since that experience, I have learned to ALWAYS stay with coach if possible when repairs or service are being performed.

We had a significant leak in the Pitman arm seal. We drove about 1800 miles while the unit leaked. I added about 2 gallons of oil to keep things working. It made a big mess, but we were able to complete our trip and get to NAC.

It may be worth a try to offer the "mark up value" on the part to get the work done locally. It may be cheaper and easier than going to NAC. On the other, the folk at NAC know how to exchange the box on your coach. They've done it many times.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Steering Gear Oil Leak - 96 U270

Reply #2 –
Jerry,

My mobile diesel mechanic removed my steering box right where I park.  I took the box to Chaulk Truck parts for complete rebuild ($545, took it in one day and picked it up the next day) and then he came back and installed it.

He used a big air impact and the correct puller to remove the arm.  With generator blower and the generator pulled out, it went well.  Strong guy muscling the box in and out (not me).

Then we checked the turn limits by starting the engine (no Leaks) and turning the steering wheel to see the box hit the unload valves before the wheels hit the stops (1/4 inch gap).

You could choose to only replace the leaking pitman arm shaft seals and save a few bucks but with the box removed, the difference from seal replacement to rebuild seemed wise for a 1995 140,000 miles of service box to me.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: Steering Gear Oil Leak - 96 U270

Reply #3 –
Thanks Rudy, I don't know any mobile diesel mechanics around here, but there must be some.  I'm still hoping someone will come up with a name and phone # in Nac or Austin.  Probably best to take it back to factory or someone who has worked on Foretravels and know that it's done right. 
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: Steering Gear Oil Leak - 96 U270

Reply #4 –
Mine was leaking as well. 130k.  Just for the fun of it I put in some Lucas Stop Leak and it worked. Mine had been leaking for about a year.  For 10 bucks, it might buy you some time.  Good luck.

David
David West
2001 U320 40'

Re: Steering Gear Oil Leak - 96 U270

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Jerry Whiteaker –
Thanks Rudy, I don't know any mobile diesel mechanics around here, but there must be some.  I'm still hoping someone will come up with a name and phone # in Nac or Austin. 

Jerry - have you checked with Fleet Maintenance http://www.fmtaustin.com/ ?
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Steering Gear Oil Leak - 96 U270

Reply #6 –
I bought my parts from this company in Columbus,Ohio;  For less than $ 75.00 ,They also rebuild or can supply rebuilt units. Here is a link;  Power Steering SpecialistsPower Steering Specialists | We Steer You Right    ^.^d ^.^d They may be able to advise of a repair shop in your area as they are the distributors for Sheppard... Here is the link;  Power Steering SpecialistsPower Steering Specialists | We Steer You Right
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Gerry & Brenda
CHARLOTTE HARBOR, FL
1994 Grand Villa - # 4466
U300 Unihome - 6V92 Detroit
4 speed Allison - Jake Brake

Re: Steering Gear Oil Leak - 96 U270

Reply #7 –
I finally found a local shop to replace my steering gear box.  It was at the shop for about 8 hours and the mechanic must have worked on it for about 7 hours.  $570 for labor which I suppose is normal or less than normal.  It took a couple of attempts to get the pitman arm on correctly so the wheels would turn the same amount in both directions, then a lot of measuring and adjusting of the relief plungers until that was correct, but in the end it goes down the road with the steering wheel centered. 

Thanks for the suggestions, I had already added some stop leak before it started leaking because I was thinking of leaks at the fan motors.  Fleet Maintenance was one of the shops that said no to customer parts.  The leak was definitely at the sector shaft or pitman arm seal. 
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: Steering Gear Oil Leak - 96 U270

Reply #8 –
Jerry, Who did you get to replace it?

I just got back from New Orleans and when we stopped in Jennings La the coach was covered in oil. Seal is leaking about a quart per 100 miles.  I was able to cut up an oil jug and put it under the gear box to catch the oil.  Don't think I want to attempt to fix myself.

There is only 69,000 miles on ours  Foretravel so I am going to guess the seals are giving out due to the age and not the miles.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Steering Gear Oil Leak - 96 U270

Reply #9 –
Quote from: turbojack –
Jerry, Who did you get to replace it?
There is only 69,000 miles on ours  Foretravel so I am going to guess the seals are giving out due to the age and not the miles.
Try Alan Lassetter  281-457-5003 in Channelview, TX east of Houston.  Rudy Leggett put me in contact with him, and I was going to get him to change it, but before we set a date, I found a shop in Pflugerville to do it.  He knows a shop that can replace the seals and has the proper puller for the pitman arm.  Will take 2 or 3 days.  They work mainly on trucks. 
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: Steering Gear Oil Leak - 96 U270

Reply #10 –
Thanks for the info. Not sure what I am going to do. I might take to FoT and have them fix the dragging brake, ABS, & steering gear box.

Jack


2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Steering Gear Oil Leak - 96 U270

Reply #11 –
Air wrench's are great, but would never use one on a pitman arm shaft nut, that is putting a million miles worth of weat & tear on the gears banging them hard like that.
Find a torque multiplier or longer / stronger bar / pipe.
FWIW
Dave M

Re: Steering Gear Oil Leak - 96 U270

Reply #12 –
Just FYI, I tried to get Alan Lesseter ( Rudy's recommendation) to work on my steering gear last year and had no luck; he didn't seem to want to mark the time for me.  I had my local truck repair shop handle it instead (Texas City, Texas).  I'm sure I ended up paying more than necessary, but damned if I could get Alan to pay any attention to me.  My shop had it rebuilt in Houston, reinstalled, and all fixed on 3 days. Just my experience. 

Brett Wolfe has a good recommendation on the place that rebuilds them better than Sheppard specs; look that up.
1996 U295 36' WTBI

Re: Steering Gear Oil Leak - 96 U270

Reply #13 –
Anyone got any idea where I can obtain a new drag link as I was informed that mine is getting worn.
1996 U270
Regards,
JON TWORK KB8RSA
Full Time RVer (10+ Years) & Dedicated Boondocker
Retired, Unemployed, Homeless Transients
1996 Foretravel U270-36 w/24' Timberwolf Trailer
I firmly believe that tomorrow holds the possibility for new technologies, astounding discoveries, and a reprieve from my remaining obligations.
Welcome to WeRV2 (Under Construction)
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The Second Amendment is in place in case they ignore the others.
 

Re: Steering Gear Oil Leak - 96 U270

Reply #14 –
Drag link should never be replaced. The ends of the drag link can be unscrewed and screwed back on. The ends have grease fittings and if over greased or over time, the rubber seal tears and dirt can get into the swivel ball. The replaceable part is called tie rod end. Each end has a different part number and one is right threaded and the other is left threaded.

Careful counting of the number of turns to remove and using the same count to replace will probably eliminate any realignment need.

Attention to greasing drag link ends is needed to not put too much grease in, as the extra grease can tear rubber cover. Just a little is needed and less often than recommended probably is a good idea.