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Topic: Power Steering Gear (Read 856 times) previous topic - next topic

Power Steering Gear

Does anyone know what series power steering gear is installed on a 98 U270?  Blew one of the seals today.  From what I've found it would appear a knowledgeable mechanic could install the seal without removing the steering gear from the motor home. 
Grover Dickerson
1998 U270 34'
2007 Toyota Corolla
2007 Suzuki Burgman 650
Harrisburg, IL62946

Re: Power Steering Gear

Reply #1 –
FOT shop, Wayne did my steering seal, total under $500.00 parts & labor. About 2 yrs ago, the best I can recall.

Re: Power Steering Gear

Reply #2 –
Suspect you will find it a Sheppard M100.  But, verify before ordering parts.

If that is the steering box, it will have Sheppard M100 embossed on the outside of the box, so it is easy to verify.
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: Power Steering Gear

Reply #3 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Suspect you will find it a Sheppard M100.  But, verify before ordering parts.
You are probably asking yourself, "Where do I find that number, to verify?"  Here is the answer (right at the top of the linked page):

Sheppard Steering M100PDP1
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Power Steering Gear

Reply #4 –
Oh, and the #1 cause of blown seals is that the end stops are not correctly set.  If the steering knuckles are allowed to hit the stops metal to metal (there should be at 1/8-1/4" clearance) PSI's jump WAY up.

The metal stops are to limit wheel cut angle such at you always have clearance between tire and suspension components.

The, the tiny standard screws on the Sheppard box are used to make sure you have the 1/8- 1/4" clearance with wheel hard over in each direction.

Not difficult to do and no special tools required.
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: Power Steering Gear

Reply #6 –
To save you time reading.  Here is what I have figured out.

Your seal went out because it is a 1998 coach. I have a 1997 and my seal went out last year. In doing research, age is the problem not the miles ( I only have 65,000 miles). Do not replace just this seal. Have the unit removed and rebuilt with all new seals. People that had just the leaking seal replaced soon had one of the others to start leaking shortly later.

After I had mine replaced, the steering was way easier and was tighter then the old unit.

If I had known this problem is age related I would have had it replaced on my terms instead on the leak terms.
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: Power Steering Gear

Reply #7 –
Remove it and send it off to be blueprinted/rebuilt. Do the whole thing once and don't worry about it. Previous owner had seals put in the steering box on mine (mechanic said he got seals from freightliner), but the box has play it and is annoying going down the road.
1998 U270 34'

Re: Power Steering Gear

Reply #8 –
No first hand experience, but this is the place most of the RV suspension shops recommend for blue-printing the Sheppard box: Red-Head Steering Gears - Custom Rebuilt Steering Gear Boxes in USA
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: Power Steering Gear

Reply #9 –
X2 on just removing it have it rebuilt completely and be done with it. As Brent said make site your steering knuckle stops are set correctly or your new box will soon be toast.
 
I had mine replaced last year with a rebuilt from Sheppard. The first one failed due to incorrect installation and set up. However the shop and Sheppard covered the replacement. I can tell you that getting the gear in and out is not something you want to do for fun.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Power Steering Gear

Reply #10 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
No first hand experience, but this is the place most of the RV suspension shops recommend for blue-printing the Sheppard box: Red-Head Steering Gears - Custom Rebuilt Steering Gear Boxes in USA

They rebuilt mine last summer.
GREAT price
GREAT 24hr turn around and fast shipping
GREAT people to deal with!
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.

Re: Power Steering Gear

Reply #11 –
I've decided to go with Red-Head Steering Gears for gear box service.  Thanks to all.  I'll post and update once project is completed.
Grover Dickerson
1998 U270 34'
2007 Toyota Corolla
2007 Suzuki Burgman 650
Harrisburg, IL62946
 

Re: Power Steering Gear

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Grover Dickerson –
I've decided to go with Red-Head Steering Gears for gear box service.  Thanks to all.  I'll post and update once project is completed.
If you need to borrow the Pittman arm puller and steering box shaft to Pittman arm retaining nut socket, contact me.
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.