Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Steering box and reservoir  (Read 698 times) previous topic - next topic

Steering box and reservoir

Backing into our camp space I apparently blew a seal in the steering box.  It is immediately next to the Pitman arm.  There are two truck repair facilities within 15 miles.  I thought I could make that run with what I had in the resavoir.  Checking the fluid level did not turn out to be easy for me.  I thought the screw cap on top was a dip stick.  After unscrewing it, I found only an unattached square headed bolt and two pieces, one of which had a crumbling remains of what I thought might have been air filter like remains.  The other a funnel shaped piece.  I examined the nicely presented pictures on changing fluids but did not note a dip stick.

Since I am new to hydraulics, I would be very appreciative of any help with these questions.

First, what should have been attached to the bolt?  Is there a chance that there are parts lose in the system?  The filters should have prevented this if they are in place.

Second, is the reservoir top seal widely available so that I can open this up and not have to worry about dirt on the way to the shop if I need to pull over and add oil?

Third, any reason not to add Lucas to the mix?  The coach sat for a little over two years and I knew seals would probably be an issue.

Fourth,  I was tempted to only replace the one seal but beginning to think I should have the box rebuilt?

Thanks in advance for your insight and time!

George and Steph
George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P

Re: Steering box and reservoir

Reply #1 –
on my 1999 there is a sight glass. you can add fluid through the cap on top without removing the large lid. I would test how fast the leak is by stationary steering before going out on the road.. If you want a measurement as to how far from the top the sight glass is I can get it. But if you are leaking I would just fill it to near the top until repaired.
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: Steering box and reservoir

Reply #2 –
I noted the sight glass and have fluid at least to that level.  I will test the leak in place using the steering rather than passive which appears to be about an ounce a minute.
George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P

Re: Steering box and reservoir

Reply #3 –
There was a dipstick attached to the cap. The full mark is about 3" down from the lip where the cap goes. You only have to worry about cavitation of the pump if you drive to a repair station. Stop and top off early to see what distance you are getting to amount of fluid being lost, then you will know if you can make it without having to keep filling it.
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: Steering box and reservoir

Reply #4 –
Rebuild at that age and mileage, use search feature , lots of good threads on the Forum, including a blueprinted steering box and adjusting stops
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: Steering box and reservoir

Reply #5 –
I would not trust the sight glass as when my fluid got low due to a blown hose (and then blown seals) it also showed oil and till I took the lid off and found it almost empty I too thought I was ok. Yours may be right but frankly I would take top filler cap off and do a proper check with a metal probe (or piece of wire)
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: Steering box and reservoir

Reply #6 –
The cap to the reservoir doesn't really "unscrew." I always turn the cap a bit to get it off, but it appears to be a press fit. If you "unscrew" it enough, the dipstick will come loose and fall into the reservoir.

We had a leak on the pitman arm side of our steering box. We drove about 1800 miles with a significant leak. I added about one quart of oil every 200 miles. It left a mess on the coach and car, but did no additional damage.

On a later adventure, we blew a top seal and lost 3 1/2 gallons of oil in about six miles. Fortunately, we were close the the campground that was our destination. I added 3 1/2 gallons of oil and drove three blocks to a repair facility. They replaced the top seal, and we've had no problem with the steering box since then.

A failed top seal can be replaced on the side of the road without pulling anything but the steering wheel shaft. Replacement of the seal at the pitman arm generally calls for removal and rebuild of the steering gear box.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Steering box and reservoir

Reply #7 –
Well JD I think I set free the dipstick.  I will open it up and retrieve it.  I will pick up a couple more just in case gallons for the run.  There will be 6 90 degree turns required over the 15 miles and all but one mile is freeway.  We will be making the run down the 215 in Riverside.  Making a 5 AM departure on Wednesday.

I have decided to go with a rebuilt box. 

Thanks to all for the input...
George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P

Re: Steering box and reservoir

Reply #8 –
Make sure the truck places will indeed remove and install your box.  On a truck the box is very accessible, while on our coaches it is very inaccessible.  A bus repair shop will be much more likely to do your work.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Steering box and reservoir

Reply #9 –
Just a comment,if at all possible have them rebuild your box,there have been posts where some have had trouble with these
rebuilt boxes.It may take longer but may be worth the wait.After reading all the posts on steering boxes I would send mine to
the shop in California,(can be found here).Also change the hyd filters now.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Steering box and reservoir

Reply #10 –
Flattening the end threads on the bolt after putting the dip stick back on will prevent future fall-off's.  Everyone should 'damage' the end of the bolt to keep their dip stick attached.

Re: Steering box and reservoir

Reply #11 –
Thanks for input and advise.  The dip stick does not fall into the reservoir but stops evidently against the top of a filter.  Bernd sent me a picture of one and I used the bolt to recover the top of the stick and then put it back together in proper order.  Having the box rebuilt as mentioned before.
George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P

Re: Steering box and reservoir

Reply #12 –
Be SURE to set the axle stops/Sheppard box stops so that you are NOT metal to metal (steering knuckle to axle stop) at full turn.  Metal to metal WILL cause excessive PSI and will blow seals again.
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: Steering box and reservoir

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Tim Fiedler –
Rebuild at that age and mileage, use search feature , lots of good threads on the Forum, including a blueprinted steering box and adjusting stops


First I do not think the seal is a mileage thing. It is an age thing.  Mine went about 2 years ago, but since yours has not been used in two years is why yours is going now.  I have keep up with this and does not mater if 100k, 200k or 40k miles they all go about the same time.

In reading your story I thought I had written it.  Been there and done that.

What I did was open up the top and go fishing. I first tried with a magnet on stick but the magnet kept sticking to the side of the container. Finally just stuck my hand and a screw driver in there to fish out. Was not easy to get parts out.

I had to add about 2 gallons to get tank filled back up. I then took one of the oil containers and cut it so it would catch the oil leaking past the seal. I would stop every hundred miles, and empty the container till I got home.

Do your search on here as to how you want to go about getting box rebuilt. Do NOT just replace the one leaking seal, you will be sorry when the other starts leaking.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago