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Topic: sheppard steering box etc oil (Read 853 times) previous topic - next topic

sheppard steering box etc oil

Have been thinking about this for a while and was wondering if anyone HAS changed the 15/40 oil for the box and fan motors to a reg' hydraulic oil or something else?
The recommended is Delo 400 -15/40 but in my "old" machining and hydr' days anything pertaining to HYDRAULICS was a thin 10wt or so oil. SO, who has actually done this and if so any noticable benefits or negatives?
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: sheppard steering box etc oil

Reply #1
John,I have read some of the past posts and a couple of the guys have changed to hyd oil,maybe we can get long term
results.Other than it is what foretravel calls for one reason in favor of the delo would be it's the same oil as the engine takes.
We could use the amsoil that we use in our engines.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: sheppard steering box etc oil

Reply #2
The sticker on my oil reservoir specifically states  Delo 400  15/40  so that is what I put in when I did my seal replacement and it has worked as good as new sense the re-build. This is where I got the supplies and they are an authorized "Sheppard" Rebuild shop.
Power Steering SpecialistsPower Steering Specialists | We Steer You Right
 Seals only installed  no leaks no more problems..  Did the work myself  $ 67.00 +/-.  ^.^d   
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Gerry & Brenda
CHARLOTTE HARBOR, FL
1994 Grand Villa - # 4466
U300 Unihome - 6V92 Detroit
4 speed Allison - Jake Brake

Re: sheppard steering box etc oil

Reply #3
Have been thinking about this for a while and was wondering if anyone HAS changed the 15/40 oil for the box and fan motors to a reg' hydraulic oil or something else?

I have changed to hydraulic oil. See my posts and Sheppard's PDF saying acceptable here:

Hydraulic Fan Motor Upgrade/Replace
Hydraulic Pump Replacement or Repair
1998 U270 34'

Re: sheppard steering box etc oil

Reply #4
Gerry, when you say "seal replacement" are you talking about the steering input ones or a complete kit?
I have done the steering input  ones while on the road. I too have that sticker on resevoir BUT there are other oils out there that may do as good or better job. I use Amsoil Torque Drive in Allison contrary to what another member (ex Castrol guy I believe) warned me not to do and it has worked better than the Transynd which I dumped out!! I have over 30k miles on it since and has not self destructed like I was told.
Still interested to hear from actuall members who have done the change, not just thought about it like me.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: sheppard steering box etc oil

Reply #5
Hi John, I removed the complete steering gear box and replaced both seals, the one that the pitman arm is attached to and some inner seals as well. On my unit the pitman arm attached to the steering box on the opposite side of the box, I do not know if that was done by Foretravel so in would align better or why? but other than being heavy and having to find a toque wrench that went to 350 ft/lbs the job was not that bad. there is a full video on you-tube that shows the process.  It's been a couple of years so my memory is fading.   
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Gerry & Brenda
CHARLOTTE HARBOR, FL
1994 Grand Villa - # 4466
U300 Unihome - 6V92 Detroit
4 speed Allison - Jake Brake

Re: sheppard steering box etc oil

Reply #6
I run the same oil as in the M11. Rotella T6 5w-40 full synthetic.


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: sheppard steering box etc oil

Reply #7
I don't know if our FT's use the same Danfloss pump and motors as Monaco , but my 1996 Monaco uses Dextron atf. I rebuilt the motor on one of the fans because it was so hard to get out. All that was actually bad was the seal. I believe a lot of the systems can run different oils. One of my cranes lets me run either Dextron or 15/40 but requires flushing to keep the system uncontaminated.
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: sheppard steering box etc oil

Reply #8
My friends CCoach Magna next to me here in S Carlos also uses Dextron and that is why I asked this question
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: sheppard steering box etc oil

Reply #9
John,this may be an option,run the 15w40 but use one of these numerous additives for power steering seals.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

 

Re: sheppard steering box etc oil

Reply #10
John H

If it has been working okay for many years, why change to a different type of oil?  Just another type of oil to have on hand.  I have never had to add oil to the hydraulic system even though I had a small leak for awhile.
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt