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Topic: Leaking Steering Box - 1998 U295 (Read 1172 times) previous topic - next topic

Leaking Steering Box - 1998 U295

Just got back from my storage facility and had a large fluid spot under the front end.  Checked and it's coming from the inside area of the steering box ... looks like around the seal.  I started the unit and ran it for about 5 minutes and backed it up a few feet and it began leaking ... created a spot about 6 inches in diameter fairly quickly.  I obviously have a leak and need to get it fixed but would like to take it MOT to be fixed; however, I'm note sure if I will make it before the seal goes out and I loose all the fluid. 

One option is to remove both hydraulic hoses from the box and splice them together so I will not impact the cooling fan.  Question is how difficult would it be to drive the unit without power assist.  I remember the old days with cars and we didn't have power steering, which wasn't that hard but this is 30,000 lb beast with huge tires.  Do you think this is possible?  If yes, what type of fitting would I need, what size and where could I find it?

Any other options?

Thanks,
Jimmy
1998 U295 36'
Jimmy

Margie and Jimmy
2003 U270 36' (one slide)
1998 U295 36' (Sold 2019)

Re: Leaking Steering Box - 1998 U295

Reply #1 –
Jimmy, I don't think I would try to drive it without power steering. If you're in Plano, you could probably fill it up and drive it to Nac, stopping periodically to check the fluid level. Just my opinion.

We replaced our steering box with a rebuilt one.  It was leaking and I tried replacing seals as recommended by some here, but found that after replacing one seal - another started to leak.  Ended up replacing the whole box.

Brett Wolfe has some good posts on here referencing a source for rebuilt boxes (redhead, I think?).  Maybe you could just order a new box and have a truck repair shop in your area install it?  Just fyi - it's a bear to replace.
1996 U295 36' WTBI

Re: Leaking Steering Box - 1998 U295

Reply #2 –
Red-Head Steering Gears - Custom Rebuilt Steering Gear Boxes in USA

The not only rebuild, but blueprint the Sheppard boxes.  Only way to adjust play on a Sheppard box.
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: Leaking Steering Box - 1998 U295

Reply #3 –
Jimmy, Don't even think about driving the coach without the power steering functioning.  As a test take it to a parking lot, get it rolling and shut down engine...... THEN..... try to steer it, unless you have the strength of superman you will find yourself in trouble quickly.
JMHO and experience from an incidence of engine shut down in traffic.  Scared the ----- out of me.
Gary B

Re: Leaking Steering Box - 1998 U295

Reply #4 –
It's undrivable without power steering, the best you can hope for is sheer panic providing enough superhuman strength to steer it into a parkable space upon sudden failure.   

I'd fill it up with oil, add a good strong dose of Lucas hydraulic system stop leak additive and drive it to the fix it place.  You may find after driving it a bit the seal is no longer leaking.  Don't normally go for additives, miracle oil, etc., but have had nothing but good luck with this particular product. 
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Leaking Steering Box - 1998 U295

Reply #5 –
Thanks everyone ... I'm going to fill it up and head to MOT.  They have a rebuilt one in stock ... seems like last year then handled about 12 of these mostly 1998 models, so they keep one on the shelf.  I plan to stop frequently and check the levels and add oil.

Jimmy
1998 U295 36'
Jimmy

Margie and Jimmy
2003 U270 36' (one slide)
1998 U295 36' (Sold 2019)

Re: Leaking Steering Box - 1998 U295

Reply #6 –
I can attest that things are difficult but not impossible when you lose power steering.  It's the sharp turns at low speed that are rough and require quite a bit of strength.

Re: Leaking Steering Box - 1998 U295

Reply #7 –
Quote from: piku –
I can attest that things are difficult but not impossible when you lose power steering.  It's the sharp turns at low speed that are rough and require quite a bit of strength.
Yep, the faster ya go the easier ta steer, it's the slow turns that get ya.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Leaking Steering Box - 1998 U295

Reply #8 –
If possible, I would try to mount a shallow drain pan under the steering box so you can see how much you are loosing.  Keep an eye on you temperature gauge - might be the first indication of having too little oil to operate with.  I would also stay away from the steering limits on tight turns.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: Leaking Steering Box - 1998 U295

Reply #9 –
When I blew a fan hydraulic hose we were sitting in traffic.  The first indication was steering beginning to get weak (but not disappear).  It wasn't long after that that the temperature was rising and I knew exactly what was going on.  I think the cooling system has so much thermal mass that it takes some time to heat up (or cool down).

Re: Leaking Steering Box - 1998 U295

Reply #10 –
Quote from: piku –
It's the sharp turns at low speed that are rough and require quite a bit of strength.
I can attest to that fact, too. On the way back from Ladies Driving School, we  had gotten as far as Macalester, OK, when I started losing power. We exited there and drove toward town, looking for a place to pull over and  got as far as the overpass coming into town. The engine died while I was making a turn to get off the main road. I really had to wrestle the wheel to get that turn completed. I coasted down the hill and made another right turn at the bottom, into a flea market parking lot. Fortunately, I got far enough in that cars were able to enter and exit around me, but we were dead in the water.

Called 1-800-Someone-Who-Cares. My newest best buddy told me to combine the two battery leads onto the center post of the isolator. That got us going again and we got back home.  Tuns out I had two major problems. The charging system was not working (although the alternator tested good). This had not been a major problem before, but it turned cold and we had the dash heat on. It dragged the engine battery down enough to stop the systems. Simultaneously (or there abouts) the boost solenoid became tempermental, working sometimes, but not others. Since then, it seems to have given up the ghost.

I can still remember the eyes on the driver waiting to make a left turn as I am MANHANDLING the wheel to complete that turn without hitting him. Fortunately, he was able to back up a couple of feet that may have made the difference. The turn at the bottom of the hill was a reminder that an RV is dangerous without power steering. Hopefully I won't have that experience again.
 
Trent

Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Leaking Steering Box - 1998 U295

Reply #11 –
Sorry, been without connectivity for a while.  After working with Mike at MOT (several calls on Saturday), we decided I could nurse it down to Nacogdoches and they would work me in first thing Monday morning.  We drove down Sunday stopping about every 30 - 45 minutes and checking fluid levels.  Fortunately the leak wasn't as bad as it seamed.  We used around 2 quarts of fluid for the entire trip.  MOT now stocks a rebuilt gear box ... it costs a little more that having yours removed and sent to be rebuilt but then you don't have wait 2 weeks to get the rebuilt unit back.

MOT and specifically Mike were fantastic.  They made room for me on the schedule and got me in and out on Monday so we could continue with our spring break vacation last week.

On a different note, I also tried to reach Foretravel as well but could not find the emergency number neither on the website nor when calling the general number.  If someone has it could you please share it with me.  I would like to have both just in case.

Thanks,
Jimmy
1998 U295 36'
Jimmy

Margie and Jimmy
2003 U270 36' (one slide)
1998 U295 36' (Sold 2019)
 

Re: Leaking Steering Box - 1998 U295

Reply #12 –
Redhead has a 24hr turn around.
Usually in and out the same day.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.