U-240 leaking steering sector

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U-240 leaking steering sector

December 27, 2017, 09:47:54 pm

Well I am on the way home from lexington, KY(ark encounter, 14 degs when we left) and this morning as I was paying the overnight fees and the U240 is idleing, I see brown fluid dripping from the steering sector(no much, just a small stream). I can see where it has sprayed and leaked some fluid. I added 2 qts of del400 and started for little rock,AR, I stopped for lunch and checked the fluid and leak, seams to have stopped or slowed down a lot. It dripes a little setting still(engine off)

Can ya fix it?
Who can fix?
how much?

Makin for lufkin,TX in the am.

Pat,

Re: U-240 leaking steering sector

Reply #1 – December 27, 2017, 11:41:38 pm

The cold might make the seals not quite seal. Mine leaks very slowly, 2 qts in 6 years. Getting the steering box out is the hard part. You can get rebuilt ones and just replace yours or take yours to a rebuild shop (Chaulk ? In Houston, 1 or 2 days) or you can pull it and send it to RedHead in Washington for a blueprint rebuild. 6-7 business days there and back again. About $800 including shipping. Good thing ... you are not to far from getting it done.

Re: U-240 leaking steering sector

Reply #2 – December 28, 2017, 06:49:33 am

If you need to add more fluid add this Lucas Power steering fluid with stop leak. It does work. Has a money back guarantee if it doesn't
https://www.autozone.com/brake-and-power-steering-fluid-additives/power-steering-fluid-and-additive/lucas-oil-power-steering-stop-leak/828044_0_0?cmpid=PS:3:2:3&s_kwcid=AL!5142!10!78065363069162!4581664953808349&ef_id=Wi2SqgAABD9fmBlK:20171228114805:s

Re: U-240 leaking steering sector

Reply #3 – December 28, 2017, 08:20:18 am

Verify exactly WHAT is leaking. Is it a seal on the Sheppard M100 steering box? A hose or hose fitting?

The Sheppard box is the same as used on many OTR trucks, so anyone who works on them should know the box.

If you also have play in the steering wheel not caused by play in other components, might be a good time to have the box blueprinted by redhead in Washington state (yes, IF you have the down time for this).

Re: U-240 leaking steering sector

Reply #4 – December 28, 2017, 09:34:11 am

Thanks for the help. This is a pic of the leak.

Pat

Re: U-240 leaking steering sector

Reply #5 – December 28, 2017, 09:56:17 am

Pat, that looks like an end seal not a hose leak. And the box may not have to be removed to replace it.

Re: U-240 leaking steering sector

Reply #6 – December 28, 2017, 10:03:25 am

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – December 27, 2017, 11:41:38 pm

About $800 including shipping.

$612.00 two months ago.

Re: U-240 leaking steering sector

Reply #7 – December 28, 2017, 10:50:23 am

Quote from: pthurman48 – December 28, 2017, 09:34:11 am

This is a pic of the leak.

Wish my leak looked like that!

Trent

Re: U-240 leaking steering sector

Reply #8 – December 28, 2017, 10:52:00 am

Quote from: Travelin' Man – December 28, 2017, 10:03:25 am

$612.00 two months ago.

Where?

Thanks,

Trent

Re: U-240 leaking steering sector

Reply #9 – December 28, 2017, 11:57:17 am

From Redhead steering. I should be getting travelin mans steering box from redhead any day now.

Re: U-240 leaking steering sector

Reply #10 – December 28, 2017, 12:18:35 pm

Quote from: rbark – December 28, 2017, 11:57:17 am

From Redhead steering. I should be getting travelin mans steering box from redhead any day now.

Be sure to VERIFY end stop adjustment (small screws top and bottom of steering box)!

Re: U-240 leaking steering sector

Reply #11 – December 28, 2017, 02:41:33 pm

I checked the price I got from RedHead. It was $640 including shipping both ways. I am getting mine done in Feb.

Re: U-240 leaking steering sector

Reply #12 – December 28, 2017, 11:57:48 pm

Mine arrived today. $560.00. From Tmans house to Redhead to my house. Now to get it installed.

Re: U-240 leaking steering sector

Reply #13 – December 29, 2017, 11:08:14 am

When my seals were leaking, made a big mistake by getting a rebuilt unit from Sheppard. The rebuilt unit has a little bit more play than the original and the cost of having it swapped out and the exchange ran the cost up to about $1500. Should have had the seals replaced by a shop or have it sent to Redhead.

Re: U-240 leaking steering sector

Reply #14 – December 30, 2017, 09:23:39 am

I got a rebuilt box from Sheppard six years ago and have had no problems since. Nice tight steering.

Re: U-240 leaking steering sector

Reply #15 – December 30, 2017, 09:57:25 am

Thanks for all the replies and comments. More pics in this post. Can the seal be repaired without removing sector? Where is the repair shop everyone is speaking of? How much cost in removal and installation of steering sector?

Thanks again,
Pat

Re: U-240 leaking steering sector

Reply #16 – December 30, 2017, 11:47:48 am

If the pitman arm side is not leaking then the seal in your photo can be changed without removing the sector. It will take a seal and either a gasket or o-ring.

Re: U-240 leaking steering sector

Reply #17 – December 30, 2017, 05:16:41 pm

I've had TWO boxes have that very same seal fail (opposite of the pitman arm). The first failure was pouring out, so I unhooked and bypassed the box and was able to get home using strong arms....and driving on the interstate (I made a thread about it). I swapped in a good used box that I acquired a while ago.

Two years later, and the good used box is starting to leak. It also had some play (less than my original). I think shepard had a bad run of steering boxes in the 1997-2000 production years. I never hear of trucks replacing boxes for play or leaking at the rate our Foretravels owners do.

Re: U-240 leaking steering sector

Reply #18 – December 30, 2017, 05:20:49 pm

Krush,
One of the problems we have is that we tend to let our coaches sit alt and the seals dry out.

John

Re: U-240 leaking steering sector

Reply #19 – December 30, 2017, 07:30:11 pm

Especially with the wheels absolutely straight ahead?

Re: U-240 leaking steering sector

Reply #20 – December 30, 2017, 11:37:01 pm

Quote from: John and Stacey – December 30, 2017, 05:20:49 pm

One of the problems we have is that we tend to let our coaches sit alt and the seals dry out.

That can explain the seals, but what does that have to do with the play in the box?

Re: U-240 leaking steering sector

Reply #21 – January 09, 2018, 05:45:35 pm

To follow up on the leak, It only leaks about 1 pint in 3 hrs. driving. I can not live with the oil on the side of the MH. So I called Chalk's Truck Service and Parts in Houston. Seal kit is #8867 $46.72 and the this seal can be replaced without removing the sector. The sector is a shepard m100 and to have rebuilt is about $600. I will try to replace the seal on a warm day.

Pat,

Re: U-240 leaking steering sector

Reply #22 – January 31, 2018, 08:39:45 pm

Lots of internet work and phone calls. It is almost impossible to find a rebuilt m100pdp1 steering sector. They were special made for foretravel. Foretravel will sell you a rebuilt one for $1675.00. No one wants to take mine off and wait for the rebuild to be done. So I have found a rebuilt one from Vander Haag's Inc. It will cost $570. plus $400 core charge. I am not sure about the remove/install cost yet.

Pat,

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