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Topic: steering box leaking from side dust cover (Read 414 times) previous topic - next topic

steering box leaking from side dust cover

Started the coach this morning here in Retama Village getting ready to head to Baytown to have Rudy look at AH. Noticed a puddle of oil under drivers side bay. I have a 2003 U295 with the remote radiator mounted vertically. I opened the door and had a steady stream of oil coming out of the dust cover on the steering box, turned engine off, stream slowed and gradually stopped. Turned wheels to side, leak slowed after initial surge then stopped. I have the original m100pdp1, checked the stamped data, doesn't mean it hasn't been rebuilt at some point, but the previous owner kept pretty good records and I can find no mention of a rebuild. Talked to Rudy, since I was obviously going to be late for the AH service. Said he thought that the seal could be changed from the back, so is this possible without having to pull the pitman arm and removing the sector shaft assembly? I am scheduled for maintenance at FOT June 13th, so if I can get a temp/cheap fix until I get there, I guess I will look at having the box rebuilt or changed out. Also, would it be possible to just drive it like it is and check the oil level in the reservoir every hundred miles or so?

thanks,
Rick

Re: steering box leaking from side dust cover

Reply #1 –
Steady stream?  How much in an hour?  How far do you have to go?  I had mine rebuilt at Chalk's in Houston, it had a slow annoying leak, maybe 2 qts in six years.  Your hydraulic resercpir holds about 10 qts as I recall.  The hydraulic system also runs your cooling fans.  Probably don't want it to get more than 2 or 3 qts down.

If it is leaking into the pan in that bay and then on to the ground get a bag of oil dry and put a good layer in the pan to sop up the oil.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: steering box leaking from side dust cover

Reply #2 –
Didn't measure the flow, but when I push on the dust cover oil comes out that small vent hole and around the lower edge. I have a feeling the last seal on the sector shaft is gone. It's 390 miles to the Houston area and another 140 to Nac. Rudy would probably help as much as anybody, but he is the 390 miles away. Couldn't do much with the problem it being Sunday and all. Will get started with tech help from MOT and FOT in the morning. Depending on what I find out from them, there are some Heavy Haulers here at Retama who probably are a good source for diesel work locally. Will know more in the morning.

Re: steering box leaking from side dust cover

Reply #3 –
Sent you a PM.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.
 

Re: steering box leaking from side dust cover

Reply #4 –
Rick passed by but told me the leaked stopped,he continued on to see Rudy then on to Nac.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.