Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Steering Box Sector Shaft Seal Youtube Video (Read 690 times) previous topic - next topic

Steering Box Sector Shaft Seal Youtube Video

Hello all,
As promised here is my video on sector shaft seal replacement without removing the steering box.  Did my best to trim it down but it's still a long one.  Oh well ;) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7MEnfl_gEc

Enjoy!

Re: Steering Box Sector Shaft Seal Youtube Video

Reply #1 –
Just viewed the abridged version and brings back memories. The 2001 had a cover over it that I had to cut to access the Allen head. Adds to the pain level. Having the audio all access from behind looks much better, but unavailable on ours. I actually installed the seal laying on the ground from the front side. Definitely not the average DIY project for most, but certainly doable. I couldn't imagine doing the job and video taping. That definitely adds to the difficulty factor. Great accomplishment IMO. Outstanding video, will be used by many for years to come, BUT it's not as easy as it looks
Scott 👍👍

Re: Steering Box Sector Shaft Seal Youtube Video

Reply #2 –
I couldn't help but to notice that as well as I edited the video.  I was thinking I could leave this 8 hours of footage in here to demonstrate how annoying this job is but I should trim it down to make it remotely watchable.  Of course said trimming really does make the job look easy.  But I think anyone attempting anything from youtube knows all about that ;)  Thanks for the kind words!  And thanks for blazing the trail for me!

Re: Steering Box Sector Shaft Seal Youtube Video

Reply #3 –
Mark,

That is an excellent video. The job isn't for the faint at heart. There is no way that I could do the work and hold a camera and narrate without having the camera covered in oil. It is a given that I will be covered in oil.
One thing that you mentioned about finding the access door on the generator side. I seemed to think that you thought that someone had cut that hole in there because of a previous failure of some kind.  For owners with this type of homemade generator box that access hole was put there during construction. 

Mike

Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Steering Box Sector Shaft Seal Youtube Video

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Mark D –
I couldn't help but to notice that as well as I edited the video.  I was thinking I could leave this 8 hours of footage in here to demonstrate how annoying this job is but I should trim it down to make it remotely watchable.  Of course said trimming really does make the job look easy.  But I think anyone attempting anything from youtube knows all about that ;)  Thanks for the kind words!  And thanks for blazing the trail for me!

No kinds words, just the truth you earned it and I will say the hard way, still being able to do the video really will help. Three types of people in the world,
People who make things happen
People that watch things happen
Those that wonder what happened.

Re: Steering Box Sector Shaft Seal Youtube Video

Reply #5 –
Mark,

Great job, and the video is priceless.  You have the strength of an elephant in a hole for a mouse.  The video is SO valuable as it provides a visual as to exactly what's gone bad.  Thank you.  You are my hero!  You, too, Scott, for tackling this job in such an innovative way.  Like you guys my steering is fine and a rebuild would be unnecessary.  In-situ seal replacement is a perfect alternative for a lot of us when that day arrives.  Does anybody know if or when the teflon improved seal was OEM on the Sheppard steering box?
Mark, Monique & Steven Hachigian
2004 36U295 Build No. 6239
2011 Honda CRV 4WD
2024 Dynamax Isata 5 30fw Xplorer

Re: Steering Box Sector Shaft Seal Youtube Video

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Hach –
.  Does anybody know if or when the teflon improved seal was OEM on the Sheppard steering box?
So the overhaul manual shows many different fluids being used. The original seal in mine was also a two piece seal and the back up ring is what failed. It was a both soft and hardened remains. It was blue in color and that may be its original color or possible what color the oil dyed it. Don't know. Ive used many nylon backed up seals and have never seen one like the blue one and they always come out in near the same condition they are installed. Also Unstained. So i dont have a answer if it is a improved seal, but it was different than what I removed. Ive got about 2k miles since reseal and have had zero leakage.
Scott

Re: Steering Box Sector Shaft Seal Youtube Video

Reply #7 –
Great video, very interesting and I learned.
Thanks
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Steering Box Sector Shaft Seal Youtube Video

Reply #8 –
Mark, Great video, thank you for doing it. I hope I don't have to do mine anytime soon but now I know :-)

I wonder Brett will chime in about compression to a rebuilt unit. So this task was reacting to an oil leak and fixing it with new seals.
Is there always an oil leak to indicate an issue and once opened and looked inside maybe gears are in not good shape, then the entire box is replaced?

Former 2003 GV U295 (6230) (2015 - 2025)
Former 94 GV U225 (2013-2016)

Re: Steering Box Sector Shaft Seal Youtube Video

Reply #9 –
Oil leaking is probably the only issue that would leave you stranded. Excess play gives you lots of time to repair. Never heard of any gear wear problem when they were rebuilt.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Steering Box Sector Shaft Seal Youtube Video

Reply #10 –
Quote from: propman –

I wonder Brett will chime in about comparison to a rebuilt unit.


Part of that depends on who does the rebuilding.  Some are basically just reseal jobs.

Others like REDHEAD in Washington state actually blueprint the boxes to remove play.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Steering Box Sector Shaft Seal Youtube Video

Reply #11 –
The decision maker for me would be mileage.  If I had >175,000 miles or so I'd send it in if it started leaking.  In my case I am at 75,000 or so, so I decided to take the risk.  There is still a risk it could leak from the input shaft or other seals that redhead also replaces.  This is definitely a gamble to just do the sector shaft seals but the other seals are not known to fail as often.  I used the money I save to replace the generator insulation.
 

Re: Steering Box Sector Shaft Seal Youtube Video

Reply #12 –
Actually, I would use the amount of play in the steering wheel as the determinant of reseal vs rebuild/blueprint.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020