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Steering Box Wet, DS Bay wet

October 22, 2011, 01:55:55 pm

Bit of an oily  mess in the bay just below the drivers seat.  Looks like the steering box is the source of the oily mess.  Any ideas on how to troubleshoot and fix?  Coach runs OK; no steering problems; the hydraulic reservoir is full with clean oil.  However, have not changed filters or Hyd. oil since purchase 7/2003.

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Re: Steering Box Wet, DS Bay wet

Reply #1 – October 22, 2011, 02:07:24 pm

suggest first giving it a good clean to remove oil etc and then start engine up and turn the st' wheel a few times to see if you can detect if one of the flange seals is the culprit. It may just need the bolts tightening. Check to see if it is a seal on the input or out put shafts, and if so you will have to obviously take it out to replace the bad one. Maybe someone has had a similar problem and can chime in.
John

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Re: Steering Box Wet, DS Bay wet

Reply #2 – October 22, 2011, 02:53:56 pm

Tried to PM you and it was blocked.

Fiddler,. PM Gary O if you have to go into this box.  He had to rebuild his on a 00 and was able to do it on frame.  Can be expensive if you have to remove it.
Gary B

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Re: Steering Box Wet, DS Bay wet

Reply #3 – October 22, 2011, 03:11:28 pm

Tim, First, If the oil tank is full, wipe it up, keep eye on it, and know your headed to MOT for Monday.
Second I am still at Xtreme, was scheduled for MOT Monday too, however it now looks like Tuesday for me.
Catch up with you Monday at MOT.
Dave M

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Re: Steering Box Wet, DS Bay wet

Reply #4 – October 22, 2011, 03:24:33 pm

Sheppard Steering M100PDP1  here is a link to Barry's list on repairing it etc

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Re: Steering Box Wet, DS Bay wet

Reply #5 – October 22, 2011, 06:28:59 pm

I had mine replaced last year.  You can search for the posts.  I found that it was about a wash to have someone replace one seal as to have a reman from Sheppard installed.  I had quotes over $3,000 but got it done for $2,000.  However, the installer said he underestimated his labor by 1/2.  Look at the location.  You have to pull the generator fan and radiator to even get to it.

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Re: Steering Box Wet, DS Bay wet

Reply #6 – October 22, 2011, 07:49:31 pm

Roger what Amos said. Parliament coach in Clearwater, Fl., then a Foretravel dealer, replaced mine for $2500, and afterward, said they wouldn't do it again for that since the labor far exceeded their estimate.

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Re: Steering Box Wet, DS Bay wet

Reply #7 – October 22, 2011, 10:24:53 pm

If after cleaning the steering box you find it is the input seal, you can replace that without removing the box. I replaced mine this spring and think the seal kit was about 60 dollars. The site listed earlier in this post was very help;ful and I also talked to Gary O before I did it as he had done his. It is not hard to do and doesn't take very long, maybe little over an hour by yourself.

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