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Topic: Power steering growl on slow speed turns? (Read 1121 times) previous topic - next topic

Power steering growl on slow speed turns?

Driving this weekend to St. Augustine from St. Petersburg, and back and on several occasions heard what sounded like a power steering pump whine or growl as I was making turns at a slow speeds. Any ideas?
Rick Barna
St. Petersburg FL.
1998 U270 36'
Build # 5232
1972 CJ 5 Jeep

Re: Power steering growl on slow speed turns?

Reply #1 –
I have usually associated that with air getting into the system.  How's the reservoir level?
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: Power steering growl on slow speed turns?

Reply #2 –
I checked and it was just below the fill when hot line, I wouldn't think that would make much of a difference. I hope that you say I may be wrong!
Rick Barna
St. Petersburg FL.
1998 U270 36'
Build # 5232
1972 CJ 5 Jeep

Re: Power steering growl on slow speed turns?

Reply #3 –
Rick,

Unless your hearing is a LOT better than mine, I don't think you could actually hear the power steering pump from 36 feet away with the big engine running.  BUT, you could hear something in the front end that sounds like that noise...  I'm guessing it is more likely something in the steering mechanism, steering linkage, or in the front suspension.  Perhaps a dry suspension joint that needs some grease?  When was the last time your coach was lubed?  Have you checked the steering box to see if it is leaking?  How long since you changed the power steering fluid and filters?

Does this only happen in tight turns?  Could it be a tire rubbing on the air bag flange?  This is not uncommon, especially if you just replaced the front tires.

I occasionally get some noise from my steering column that sounds like groaning.  It is intermittent, and doesn't happen often enough to get me off my rear and figure out what is causing it.  I suspect a dry rubber seal or dust boot or something like that...

Sorry...that's all I've got.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Power steering growl on slow speed turns?

Reply #4 –
Well I called Kieth Riesch At MOT and the first thing that he asked was, have you bought new tires? The answer was yes, just last week. He then said I believe that I know what the problem is. The new tires today are about 1/4 " larger than before and when you make a right turn the tire barely rubs the bottom of the airbag mount. Checked it out and sure enough the paint was rubbed off where the tire barely rubs. I asked what to do, and Kieth said that if the noise doesn't bother you, don't worry and just let it be. The noise does not bother me now that I know what the cause is, so I let be.
Rick Barna
St. Petersburg FL.
1998 U270 36'
Build # 5232
1972 CJ 5 Jeep

Re: Power steering growl on slow speed turns?

Reply #5 –
Rick,

DO check ride height.  Easy to do.  And, if low it will allow more tire/air bag support contact.
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: Power steering growl on slow speed turns?

Reply #6 –
Rick, what brand and size tires did you buy, that are rubbing the airbag mounting?

Re: Power steering growl on slow speed turns?

Reply #7 –
Michelin 275 x 22.5
Rick Barna
St. Petersburg FL.
1998 U270 36'
Build # 5232
1972 CJ 5 Jeep

Re: Power steering growl on slow speed turns?

Reply #8 –
Have not changed a air bag yet but I read that when you do the bottom and top plates can be shimmied/positioned somewhat,
this being true may be a solution,any ideas on this? Just put the rear fronts as far back as you can,sounds like even an eigth of an inch would help.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Power steering growl on slow speed turns?

Reply #9 –
I replaced my airbags a couple of years ago, too late for that. Any way I am not taking any action to change it, as it seems there is no harm being done, other than an occasional sound when making a right hand turn.
Rick Barna
St. Petersburg FL.
1998 U270 36'
Build # 5232
1972 CJ 5 Jeep

Re: Power steering growl on slow speed turns?

Reply #10 –
when did you last change hydraulic fluid and filters? I had same noise before oil and filter change.
Steve & Ginny Hill
96 U295 36'/Wrangler
Tampa

Re: Power steering growl on slow speed turns?

Reply #11 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Rick,

DO check ride height.  Easy to do.  And, if low it will allow more tire/air bag support contact.

Hmmm, Don't understand how the bottom airbag support clearance changes with ride height.
Doug W.
96 36' U270 CSGI #4946
04 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
PNW

Re: Power steering growl on slow speed turns?

Reply #12 –
Brett I brought the ride height valve up with Keith at MOT and he said that the airbag support bracket moves with the ride height valve and will not make a difference.
Rick Barna
St. Petersburg FL.
1998 U270 36'
Build # 5232
1972 CJ 5 Jeep

Re: Power steering growl on slow speed turns?

Reply #13 –
Apologies to both of you-- I did not trigger on the fact that it was the LOWER bracket that the tire was hitting.

You are correct, ride height has no effect on the LOWER bracket clearance. 

As  I recall, some have filed off/sawed off some of the lower bracket (not getting into any area that would weaken the bag support).

So, the question would be: is the area of contact necessary for bag support-- of not consider hacksawing a little off.

Hopefully others who have encountered the same issue will chime in.
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: Power steering growl on slow speed turns?

Reply #14 –
I thought of doing something like that, however it is little reward for me to do it the rub hurts nothing, and if you cut or file you stand a chance of hurting the bag or perhaps leaving a bur or rough edge which could do more damage.
Rick Barna
St. Petersburg FL.
1998 U270 36'
Build # 5232
1972 CJ 5 Jeep

Re: Power steering growl on slow speed turns?

Reply #15 –
Rick,

Thinking cap back on.

How much cut angle would you loose to narrow it to where the tire just did not contact the bracket.

It is not that difficult to adjust cut angle.  So, if all you would loose is a couple of degrees, let us know and we can give you the procedure for setting cut angles.
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: Power steering growl on slow speed turns?

Reply #16 –
With the coach raised up to the limit, the air bag is far enough away from the plate to use a 4" grinder without hitting rubber. Looking at mine the rubber would not make contact with the area of the plate that was ground when deflated.
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
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