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Power Steering Gear Box

Good afternoon.  My power steering gear box developed quite a leak. It is leaking out of the end opposite of the pitman arm.  See red arrow in picture. Unfortunately the stickers on the unit are not legible so I am not sure what box I have to try and get a new seal. 

Can someone help identify my box so I can get a new seal. Has anyone changed this seal and have a little advice?  Any suggestions on where to get parts?

Prior to this leak I have not had any issues with the power steering system. The coach tracks pretty straight and there is only minimal (if any) play in the steering.

Thank you for your help!
2002 U270 34' Build 5953
Cummings ISL400HP
3410 Floor Plan
Longview, TX

Re: Power Steering Gear Box

Reply #1 –
Someone just put a seal kit in recently maybe they can help. I can't find it in the part number collection.
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: Power Steering Gear Box

Reply #2 –
LOTS of previous discussion on the forum.  Most recent topic here Uh oh!. Blown seal in steering box

Many more that might be helpful using the advanced search (under "Community" -> "Search"
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Power Steering Gear Box

Reply #3 –
Thanks for the comment but I have read many of the previous threads and most talk about where to go to have a repair.

I am looking for confirmation on the steering box number I actually have in my 02 built in late 01 coach, and potentially a seal kit number. The few threads I read where the individual made the repair themself didn't go into much detail from a lessons learned standpoint.

Apparently there are multiple versions of the M100 gear box.
2002 U270 34' Build 5953
Cummings ISL400HP
3410 Floor Plan
Longview, TX

Re: Power Steering Gear Box

Reply #4 –
You have a Shepard M100 PDP1

They are rare and may be unique to Foretravel Straight line in CA rebuilds but has no cores.
Call Dan at Redhead steering gear in auburn WA. He has parts in stock and overhauled units in stock for exchange. I think this info@ email I copied is Dan You might be able to replace one seal and get by, but if you have to take it out or take off pitman, put in the remanufactured unitWHERE ARE YOU CURRENTLY LOCATED/
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Power Steering Gear Box

Reply #5 –

Here is some more information.


http://www.rhsheppard.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Seal-Kit-Installation-Instructions.pdf


Amazon.com: R. H. Sheppard 5545741 Sector Shaft Kit with Snap Ring/L-Seal:...


Amazon.com: R. H. Sheppard 5545751 Combined Kit with Snap Ring and L-Seal...

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
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: Power Steering Gear Box

Reply #6 –
Thanks Tim. Very helpful! We have a short trip planned for the 18th then a much further trip the first weekend in August. I might be able to replace just the one seal now and order the whole rebuilt from Redhead for the longer trip.
2002 U270 34' Build 5953
Cummings ISL400HP
3410 Floor Plan
Longview, TX

Re: Power Steering Gear Box

Reply #7 –
Thanks for the links craneman. I was reading in the Sheppard manual and I was not sure which kit I needed. 
2002 U270 34' Build 5953
Cummings ISL400HP
3410 Floor Plan
Longview, TX

Re: Power Steering Gear Box

Reply #8 –
The bottom link has all the seals.
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: Power Steering Gear Box

Reply #9 –
MOT has the weller rebuild in stock Redhead can uPs the parts or rebuild Monday if they aren't open Friday. You would have by 7/11

Tim Fiedler
Gen-Pro.biz
630 240-9139
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Power Steering Gear Box

Reply #10 –

Thanks for the help guys! 

I am going to replace the whole unit with a Redhead. I sent Dan an email and hopefully he has one he can ship out right away.

Do you really need the Tiger Tool $200 pitman arm puller or is there a cheaper one for a hopefully one time use?

Tiger Tool 10385- Sheppard M100 Pitman Arm Puller Amazon.com: Tiger Tool 10385- Sheppard M100 Pitman Arm Puller: Automotive

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
2002 U270 34' Build 5953
Cummings ISL400HP
3410 Floor Plan
Longview, TX

Re: Power Steering Gear Box

Reply #11 –
If you open the door under the drivers seat and see a hole for the radiator fan, a regular puller works. If you have the electric squirrel cage blower, you need the small puller.
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: Power Steering Gear Box

Reply #12 –
Thanks all for the advice. I am pulling my box out in my driveway this Friday after work and sending to Redhead. Dan is providing me a shipping label at his cost $75 each way from Longview TX.

The rebuild will run $496 and take roughly one day. In preparation for the box pull I have a few questions.

1) With the shallow pitman arm puller using the bolt to pull off the arm will 4" of clearance be enough? See picture. How long is the bolt?  I am picking up a long 5/8" hex wrench as well as a 5/8" 1/2" drive impact socket for a ratchet. I want options in case I get stuck. I am trying to avoid messing with the generator and side shield. See picture.

2) Given the size of the hydraulic lines should I use a line wrench or can I just use an open ended wrench?

3) To remove the input shaft do I need to first loosen the bolt indicated in the picture with the red arrow?  Will the shaft simply slide upward after the bolt is loosened?  I searched for this detail and could not find an answer.

4) I read a couple of post asking for advise in bleeding the gearbox but no one responded. Any advise?
2002 U270 34' Build 5953
Cummings ISL400HP
3410 Floor Plan
Longview, TX