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

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #50 –
Will do.  Thanks again.

David
David West
2001 U320 40'

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #51 –
Bob,

They are also redoing the wheel seals. Maybe that will help. 

Thanks,

David
David West
2001 U320 40'

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #52 –
Just for info purposes.
The Sheppard Pitman arm puller # 3574864 will NOT work on the Foretravel, at least mine. It is a clamshell design and does NOT offer enough top clearance to fit on the Pitman arm. On a outside of frame Pitman arm it would work, but not on the reversed steering box installed on the Foretravel.

I ordered this from Sheppard last week for $123.66, now I will have to TRY and return it and buy the more expensive # 3591842K for $199.05.
FIGURES!
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: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #53 –
Well, installation of the reman steering box is complete. Works like a new one. They had to pull the genset  in order in R&R unit. I left on a trip as soon as they completed. I presume the stops are set correctly? Steering is better than it was. Perfect as far as I can tell. No leaks or noises.

Thanks for the help from everyone.

David
David West
2001 U320 40'

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #54 –
Brett, are you indicating that the Sheppard automatic adjusters do not work correctly.
I noticed the word "AUTO" in the casting of my Sheppard power steering gear and was curious about what it meant, so research revealed the following in the Sheppard Manual.

All Sheppard "AUTO" Plunger equipped steering gears are manufactured with the auto plungers set for minimum wheel cut.
Once set using the following procedure, no other adjustment is required.

PROCEDURE:
1. Park the vehicle on a solid surface. Set the parking brake, chock the wheels and assure access to the front tires.
2. Verify that your steering gear has auto plungers.
  NOTE: Steering gears with auto plungers will have the word "AUTO" cast into the housing.       
            Plastic caps on the plunger hole is a secondary means of verification.
3. Raise the front wheels until the tires clear the surface.
  Make sure axle stops are set to manufacturers specifications.
4. Start the engine and turn the wheel to a full lock in both
directions. Contacting the axle stop with the wheels off
the ground will set the auto plunger to the correct position.

NOTE:  As you reach the end of travel, you will feel the piston contact the plunger. Continue turning until you reach the axle stop bolt.
5. Return the wheels to straight ahead. Lower the vehicle.
6. Shut off the engine and remove the wheel chocks.

I wonder if some Foretravel models come with "AUTO" Sheppard gear while other Foretravel models come with manual Sheppard gear!
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #55 –
I had a small leak in mine, while the coach was at Josam for new air bags and some other repairs, they are replacing the old box with a Shepppard reman box $795.00 and $275 labor. I'm just getting to old to crawl around and lift heavy things in tight places. The gears are not hard to reseal just make sure all the sealing surfaces are not pitted, or you will have another leak fairly soon.
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: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #56 –
Quote from: dwest –
I presume the stops are set correctly? Steering is better than it was. Perfect as far as I can tell. No leaks or noises.

Thanks for the help from everyone.

David

David,

I would definitely NOT assume. Hitting the stops is the #1 cause of blown seals-- even in brand new units.

And if set too narrow, turning radius is compromised.
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: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #57 –
Quote from: P. Wyatt Sabourin –

I wonder if some Foretravel models come with "AUTO" Sheppard gear while other Foretravel models come with manual Sheppard gear!

I have never seen one, but as per your post, 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: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #58 –
In all my years with trucks I always jacked the weight ofr the steer tires and king pins and then greased, moving the steering back and forth. Given the straight axel/kingpin type front end I would think "bump steer" would not be an issue.
Andy 1989 U300 40'

Re: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #59 –
Quote from: bbeane –
I had a small leak in mine, while the coach was at Josam for new air bags and some other repairs, they are replacing the old box with a Shepppard reman box $795.00 and $275 labor. I'm just getting to old to crawl around and lift heavy things in tight places. The gears are not hard to reseal just make sure all the sealing surfaces are not pitted, or you will have another leak fairly soon.

A bargain if they pulled your box for $275! I will spend that much or more on tools just to get the box out. Rudy has given me PRICELESS info to aid me in the R&R. Not too bad of a job after he told me what to expect and what route to take getting there..
I plan to send my box to RedHead for the rebuild ($500) as Brett has suggested in a earlier post. I talked to them and I'm impressed with the way they set up the steering box. This project has gone from DREAD, to looking forward to a better box than the coach ever had.
Good luck with your project. I would like to hear how everything turns out.
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: OMG, NOW THE STEERING BOX is DRIPPING!

Reply #60 –
Lon, the steering box is done rebuilt box from Sheppard $700, labor to R and R $675. Took them all day to get it in and out.
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