OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Topic: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING! (Read 2642 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #25 – May 31, 2014, 05:26:10 pm

With all you good folks guidance and hints, we checked our Sheppard steering axle stop / relief plunger settings today.

Used a pair of old Cuisinart prep boards sitting on Trader Joes heavy paper bags between tire and concrete to make turning easier and not scuff the bottoms of tires. Notice the tire tread marks on the cutting board close-up how the tire did not move on the board

Quickly found the bottom plunger adjustment hole, but I could not budge the screw adjustment, finding it possibly rusted tight. Sprayed Liquid Wrench did not help.

With some effort found access to top plunger adjustment hole using a flashlight and mirror from side compartment. Way too many hoses and cables running over the top of the gear get in the way of looking directly in at it. Found adjustment hole next to steering shaft, toward street side after cleaning out debris held in place from greasing steering U-joint. This screw seemed to turn back and forth a bit.

Turning the steering wheel full left and right determined that the relief plunger is set ok, so we lucked out because we could not turn the bottom adjustment screw.

Found 11 other well-made Sheppard videos on how gear works and how to overhaul it.
RH Sheppard steering - YouTube

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #26 – May 31, 2014, 05:57:05 pm

Barry,

Glad you checked.

I would keep soaking the small bottom adjustment screw with a good penetrating oil-- may need to adjust it some day.

Brett

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #27 – May 31, 2014, 06:06:48 pm

Good job Barry! My original cardboard pieces got pretty chewed up so the cutting board/greased metal sheets idea looks like a good one.

The picture of the bottom of your steering box looks like it is dry. Mine had a light coating of oil on it, maybe why I was able to make the adjustment. Keep spraying it with a penetrating oil, maybe it will loosen up. I cleaned the whole box off with a brake cleaner spray and wiped it off with paper towels (well as best I could, anyway). Looked like there was still paint on most of it. If it is clean it is easier to see where it is leaking.

The back and forth between forum members about what is going on with our coaches and what we have done about those issues is really great. Owning a Foretravel would be much more of a challenge without the support of a great group of folks like we have here.

This is my 500th post. It is an honor to be able to help anyone in return for as much help as I have received.

Happy trails to all!

Roger

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #28 – May 31, 2014, 09:30:21 pm

Quote from: John Duld – May 30, 2014, 09:34:14 am

You can make a grease plate out of two pieces of thin metal ( or other hard material), grease it well between the sheets.
Drive on and with weight on wheels it will steer easy for a maintenance check.

Spray the inside of a large trash bag with WD40, silicone, or similar. Works great for a turnplate. When you're done with whatever icky job you're doing toss the greasy rags etc in & chuck the mess.
Worked on an old 1 1/2 ton Dodge chassis coach with PS leak. Had slight pitting on input shaft which kept wiping out seals. Crocus cloth & a lathe squared it away. Sometimes a little work can save a very expensive box. Better to keep the original cores in the chassis if possible. Rarely makes a difference, but once in a blue moon the original core has some feature unique to that unit. Fuel & hydraulic cores are the worst for that.

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #29 – June 01, 2014, 10:56:33 am

I could use a clarification on steering gear adjustment:

The adjustments we make at both ends, open up the piston orifice to stop hydraulic pressure from continuing to assist our steering wheel.

But we can still turn the steering wheel (without hydraulic assist) to force the steer tires firmly against the axle stops.
So if we make it easy to turn by having coach slightly jacked up, tires on slick surfaces, being on soft ground, etc, how can we be sure we have adjusted the steering gear correctly.

It seems it would be hard to distinguish the very narrow point when the steering wheel is being turned with power assist and the next 1/8" without power assist when at the axle stops.

Even with steer tires on pavement it may hard to distinguish where the adjustment should be.

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #30 – June 01, 2014, 11:13:24 am

Barry, I have not done this adjustment or checked if necessary so I may be out of order here, but, even if you can move tyre a bit after hydraulic assist is stopped ( by way of pin reversing inside, or stopping high pressure) then you will not be having an increase of pressure capable of blowing a seal!! I feel that is the difference. The ability to continue to directional stop is a result of both manual steering and a latent effect of the Hyd pressure which is now on the decrease??? Does this sound right???
JohnH

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #31 – June 01, 2014, 03:55:34 pm

We adjusted ours on dry concrete. Marilyn could definitely identify that point at which the power steering ended and the "armstrong" steering began. I was under the coach (with safety jacks in place, chocks in place). Marilyn was at the driver position (with careful instruction NOT to touch the parking brake release). We communicated with FRS radios. I think we followed Sheppard instructions and effected a proper adjustment of the pressure relief plungers. It appear that one of the plungers would not have relieved pressure before the steering hit a stop bolt. We did blow a top seal prior to our adjustment.

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #32 – June 01, 2014, 04:39:56 pm

If wheels were on a slippery surface, would it have been as clear when Armstrong steering started?

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #33 – June 02, 2014, 06:12:19 am

I had a chance to get a good look today. The leak is from the SECTOR SHAFT SEAL, behind the Pitman Arm.
How involved is this project?
Is this something I can do or is it better to farm it out?
What costs are involved,
If I do it?
If I remove, and send it out?
If I take it in (RV) and have the entire job done? Any "special" Foretravel only details to tell a installer/repair facility?

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #34 – June 02, 2014, 12:01:16 pm

Looks like your garden variety recirculating ball steering gearbox with power assist. If you've never opened one up, get an old junkyard core to take apart. They're pretty simple.

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #35 – June 02, 2014, 06:58:30 pm

I contacted Redhead as recommended by Brett.
$500 for a rebuild.
How hard is the R&R?
Any hidden surprises?
Any tips or advice?

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #36 – June 02, 2014, 08:08:34 pm

Check the following two sites:

Service

Sheppard Steering Gear Troubleshooting

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #37 – June 03, 2014, 02:04:12 am

Quote from: Lon and Cheryl – June 02, 2014, 06:58:30 pm

I contacted Redhead as recommended by Brett.
$500 for a rebuild.
How hard is the R&R?
Any hidden surprises?
Any tips or advice?

1. Its gonna be WAY HEAVIER than you expect.
2. DOUBLE check to confirm that all hoses & linkages are disconnected BEFORE you take the mount bolts out. Some of the hardest tasks I've performed is breaking a bolt loose on a dangling part.
3. You're gonna get DIRTY. Be prepared for cleanup & have drain pans, tools & cleaners. I recommend the disposable towels.
4. If you need a specialty tool, ask the parts store if they have a tool loaner program. A lot of parts store chains have a program where you give a deposit & go put it through rental hell. Ask what kind of warrant it has. A surprising number have a lifetime warranty.
5. Its going to take longer than you expect. Watch the weather. Trying to pick up tools in the rain, on gravel or grass, is to comical to be done without a camera...

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #38 – June 03, 2014, 05:01:42 am

Thanks Fred!

I'm working myself through this project, like I do all these projects.

1. depression, knowing that there is a NOT FUN job at hand.
2.accepting the forthcoming aches, pains, and bruising.
3.change over to a offensive , positive, attitude.
4.get the me vs machine attitude pumped. Buy tools, and lots of them.
5.get angry at it, HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME!
6.Fix it
7.bask in my own GLORY! ( I do this the best, but alone). Nobody understands the battle and the
carnage that took place like I do.

The battle will begin this weekend! Notice, I don't claim to have won the War.

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #39 – June 03, 2014, 07:55:14 pm

I just ordered a re-man unit from Sheppard today. Once installed, do I have to worry about stops or will they already be set from the factory?

David

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #40 – June 03, 2014, 10:17:21 pm

Quote from: dwest – June 03, 2014, 07:55:14 pm

do I have to worry about stops or will they already be set from the factory?

You will need to set the pressure relief plungers. The settings depend on the geometry of your coach. They can't set them at the factory. My understanding is that they allow full range of motion under pressure. You will want to restrict the range to something less than the maximum turn angle on YOUR coach.

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #41 – June 03, 2014, 11:12:16 pm

Quote from: dwest – June 03, 2014, 07:55:14 pm

I just ordered a re-man unit from Sheppard today. Once installed, do I have to worry about stops or will they already be set from the factory?

David

What did Sheppard charge for the rebuilt unit?
I checked with Redhead They want $500.

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #42 – June 03, 2014, 11:32:59 pm

Quote from: Lon and Cheryl – June 03, 2014, 05:01:42 am

Thanks Fred!

I'm working myself through this project, like I do all these projects.

1. depression, knowing that there is a NOT FUN job at hand.
2.accepting the forthcoming aches, pains, and bruising.
3.change over to a offensive , positive, attitude.
4.get the me vs machine attitude pumped. Buy tools, and lots of them.
5.get angry at it, HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME!
6.Fix it
7.bask in my own GLORY! ( I do this the best, but alone). Nobody understands the battle and the
carnage that took place like I do.

The battle will begin this weekend! Notice, I don't claim to have won the War.

Most days I'm satisfied with outlasting the vehicle. Survival=winning
Dont forget cold beverages & snacks to boost your energy. And a radio.
Outlast the gearbox. Stamina is everything! It can't run away, all it can do is be still and suffer your wrath for its audacity to drip without permission.
Trash talking is good for morale. Yours anyway.
Above all, remember YOU ARE SMARTER & TOUGHER than the coach.

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #43 – June 04, 2014, 07:30:31 am

Quote from: fredlewers – June 03, 2014, 11:32:59 pm

Trash talking is good for morale. Yours anyway.
Above all, remember YOU ARE SMARTER & TOUGHER than the coach.

Had to laugh, when I am having a hard time with something my comment is always "You think you gonna win well you AIN'T", sometimes I throw in a few defining adjectives, adverbs, pronouns and nouns.

Yeah I know you shouldn't scream at inanimate objects, but it does help.

Roland

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #44 – June 04, 2014, 09:23:03 am

The cost for the reman was just under $800. It ways a 100 lbs, so freight was in that figure. That was the net after core refund exchange. I felt more comfortable getting from Sheppard since they are the manufactures. My understanding is there could be and probably is more to it than just replacing the seals.

Thanks for info on pressure relief plungers. Since our unit has independent front suspension, I wonder if that adjustment is as critical as units with axles?

David

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #45 – June 04, 2014, 10:26:14 am

David,

Yes, though the axle stops will be different with the IFS, you still want the Sheppard relief plungers to limit turning angle rather than the hard stops for the steering knuckle.

From Sheppard (or anyone else), it could be set too narrow or too wide-- they have no way of knowing your steering geometry.

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #46 – June 04, 2014, 08:48:24 pm

Thanks Brett. Probably a good idea to let front end shop perform and get alignment done as well?

David

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #47 – June 05, 2014, 01:03:36 am

David,

Yes, unless you have the tools, removing the steering box is quite a challange.

Setting the stops is not complicated, but make SURE someone does it.

Alignment is unrelated-- no idea if you need one or not: Do you have uneven tire wear? Pulling to one side? Constant steering (too little caster or too little toe-in)? If none of the above, you may not need an alignment.

Brett

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #48 – June 05, 2014, 08:51:21 am

Brett,
The Cummins dealer in Birmingham is swapping out the unit. I suppose I should ask them to make adjustments. I had doubts because they told me they could only swap units and not rebuild. That was my original question for them before purchasing the reman box. They did not have the tools for rebuild.

Coach steers fairly straight. A little playing in wheel. I am curious if the reman box will change that? I will wait on alignment issue.

Will ask the dealer today if they can/will do adjustments as this seems fairly straight forward. (A lot easier than changing out the box!)

Thanks,
David

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #49 – June 05, 2014, 09:38:48 am

The Sheppard box is very widely used in OTR trucks, so they should be vary familiar with setting stops-- it has to be done on 100% of new and reman Sheppard boxes.

Brett

Affiliate Notice