Possible Steering Leak

Topic: Possible Steering Leak (Read 1160 times) previous topic - next topic

Possible Steering Leak

May 09, 2017, 10:02:58 pm

We have been traveling about a month, starting with the Unrally. We have spent the last 17 days at the Keesler AFB Fam Camp, in Biloxi MS. It is the longest we have been in one place in our travels. We are also on a (used to be) nice concrete pad. I have occasionally seen a drop or so on the ground near the front. I have always thought it was from the generator, and add oil as needed.

We now have acquired what looks like a serious leak under the front (see pictures). It appears to be coming from outside the quiet box, where the steering stuff is located. The larger circle appears to be a clean-looking oil (or hydraulic fluid), The generator dip stick reads full, but it is a dark black color. The thicker glop in the center is a yellow color on top, but shows white when I wiped it with a paper towel (see closeup picture). It had rained hard here a couple of days ago, and the color made me think of what water does to engine oil.

I have never had a noise or stubbornness from the power steering, but I am concerned about what this stuff is and means. I have not driven it in the last 17 days and am planning to leave Thursday morning, driving to Nacogdoches, which is a little over 400 miles away. As long as the power steering continues to perform properly, is it safe to drive that distance (notwithstanding the driver)?

Anyone know what this stuff is and implies about my FT? Any suggestions about what to do about it between here and NAC? I do have Coach Net (or one of those things), but do not yet know if it is a serious problem, but DW is very worried.

Any advice welcome and greatfully accepted.

Thanks,

Trent

Re: Possible Steering Leak

Reply #1 – May 09, 2017, 10:15:56 pm

Check your hydraulic oil level first.See if the leak get worse when you start engine,see if you can find exactly where leak is.
Do that then give us a update.

Re: Possible Steering Leak

Reply #2 – May 09, 2017, 10:18:26 pm

On my 1995, I developed a leak like that. I serviced hydraulic fluid level and drove to a scheduled service at FOT. Steering gear still leaked after replacing seal. I had an overhauled unit installed and noticed better steering immediately. It's not that it was that bad before, but it drove nice and tight like a new coach with overhauled unit. I didn't lose that much fluid on trip. Seemed to leak when turning in my case.

Re: Possible Steering Leak

Reply #3 – May 09, 2017, 10:19:16 pm

Trent,

Your coach is newer than ours, so all I say may not apply.

Our coach has two oil reservoirs in the engine compartment. One is for the cooling fan motors/pump - the other is for the power steering system. They both use the same motor oil as the engine (both engines, actually), so it can be difficult (sometimes) to pinpoint the source of a leak. In your case, I would check the oil reservoir for your power steering system. If the system is "tight" (no leaks) the oil level should be at or near the full line on the dipstick. If the reservoir is low, this might suggest your leak at the front end is coming from the steering box. In that case, you should refill the reservoir with the appropriate oil, and keep a close eye on it.

Steering box seal leaks can go for a long time just slowly dripping oil, or they can suddenly blow out causing a massive loss of oil and total power steering failure. No telling when (or if) this might happen...but it's hardly ever at a convenient time. A search of the Forum will yield some chilling "power steering" tales of woe.

If you do determine it's the steering box at fault, best to take care of it ASAP.

Re: Possible Steering Leak

Reply #4 – May 09, 2017, 10:40:30 pm

You need to raise it up, wipe excess oil off and see if it is a hose or the seal. Your system uses one reservoir and it takes the same oil as the engine. With the engine running turning the steering wheel will let you know how severe the leak is. It can be driven safely as long as you keep the tank filled and it turns normally.

Re: Possible Steering Leak

Reply #5 – May 09, 2017, 11:01:19 pm

Trent, you should be able to see the steering gear box from the door on the side bay where the generator radiator is located. Yours is likely not too different from mine. If the seals are leaking (most likely) then there will be oil in the floor pan in this bay and the steering gear box will be wet with oil. Mile has leaked 1 qt in six years. I put a layer of oil dry in the pan to collect any drips.

If it is your steering box it might just need new seals. The steering gear has limit adjustment that cut hydraulic pressure before the steering parts hit physical stops. In the mean time try not to steer hard to the right or left.

If your leak spot is as big as it looks it needs to get fixed. If a seal blows out you will pump,a lot of hydraulic oil out in a short time.

Re: Possible Steering Leak

Reply #6 – May 09, 2017, 11:46:09 pm

Trent, your coach is same year as mine as you know and having had a steering box seal go what I would look at is the top of steering box thru the front bay. If it is leaking at the top of it then this can be fixed fairly easily without removing the box. This is usually caused by the steering stops not being set right. I found this out via other members and what to do. That oil looks like it has emulsified either by being almost empty and blown out of box or hose. You may have a large pool of oil in that small bay.
If the seals are gone on the top you can get new ones at almost any larger Diesel shop and I have the part #s. I replaced mine on the side of road with help from a mechanic with air tools which made it easier to remove bolts etc.
Let me know.
JohnH

Re: Possible Steering Leak

Reply #7 – May 10, 2017, 12:52:49 am

Remind Jean to remember: Everything's gonna be alright.

Once you spot the culprit and we identify the part at fault, a replacement will be found and shipped back at you quickly, I'll bet.
Let us know how we can make life easier for you tomorrow. Sorry you are having a problem. P

Re: Possible Steering Leak

Reply #8 – May 10, 2017, 03:31:46 am

This is exactly where the "oil puddle" appeared when my 96' U320 developed a Pittman arm seal leak on the steering box. Run the engine and see how bad the leak is. If it's a steady stream, you might have problems with making the long drive. If it's a drip, drip, drip leak, it is a simpler task. We drove ours from Gulf Shores Alabama to Houston by stopping every 20 miles until we established how much oil we were leaking by checking the oil level at each stop, then adjusted our interval based on how much oil we had to add each time. As others have said, it is possible that you could have a compleat seal failure, but we did not and made it back to Houston and on to Nac for a steering box replacement. Try not to make any hardcover turns while underway, and check your steering oil level frequently. No matter how you proceed, it's gonna make an awful oily mess under and along the drivers side of the coach! Make sure you get a few gallons of 15W40 motor oil before you depart, and good luck!

Re: Possible Steering Leak

Reply #9 – May 10, 2017, 07:15:59 am

If the steering box is leaking. I would say it is about the age where they will start, need to get unit rebuilt. Some replaced the leaking seal and then the others let loose. When I had my problem I found out by having oil all down the side of the coach. I had to clean my coach up and friend that was following me on a trip.

After replacing box, steering was greatly improved.

Re: Possible Steering Leak

Reply #10 – May 10, 2017, 10:04:29 am

I am humbled and happy about all the support I have received from my message; Thank y'all very much!

I have opened up the engine door and looked for the hydraulic tank, and think I found it. Is it the tall tower next to the air cleaner? I unscrewed the dip stick at the top and the dipstick is bone dry. There is also what looks like it might be some kind of sight glass on the side, a round amber doodad; does that have a useful function?

On my way to Beam Alarm to find out the capacity of the tank. Do you fill it through the dipstick hole or somewhere else? I think I remember something about not opening the whole top to avoid misaligning the filter, but maybe I am confusing that guidance with the air cleaner or something else.

Going to buy a five-quart jug (DW says two) and a funnel, if needed, of 15W40. Also, I have left a very large wet spot on the formerly lovely concrete pad. What is the best thing I can do (without my pressure washer) to clean it up enough to be allowed to stay here again?

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions,

Trent

Re: Possible Steering Leak

Reply #11 – May 10, 2017, 10:18:06 am

Get a drip pan and some kitty litter at a store to contain future leaking. Several products, "oil eater" "industrial purple" etc. will clean the concrete. The bubble you refer to is a sight glass and you can use it to monitor the level. You do fill it through the dipstick hole. Be carful when loosening the dipstick, only turn it enough to pull it up an out. Further unscrewing will drop the metal part into the tank.

Re: Possible Steering Leak

Reply #12 – May 10, 2017, 11:26:15 am

To clean the driveway get auto parts kitty litter and grind in concrete, I use a brick. Make sure you get the white kitty litter

Re: Possible Steering Leak

Reply #13 – May 10, 2017, 11:32:34 am

TWENTY-THREE QUARTS!!!

No wonder a guy can leave a large wet spot! (No further discussion needed.)

Trent

Re: Possible Steering Leak

Reply #14 – May 10, 2017, 11:41:07 am

If you let the cannister run dry you can damage the oil pump which is a bigger $$$ problem than the steering gear.

Re: Possible Steering Leak

Reply #15 – May 10, 2017, 11:50:39 am

Trent, I do not see an answer to the location of the oil leak?? Is it leaking from the steering box or a hose??
Your answer to how far to drive safely is possibly answered by "were is the leak"?
JohnH

Re: Possible Steering Leak

Reply #16 – May 10, 2017, 11:57:11 am

If you took 23 quarts without starting engine you will probably need a few more once you start engine and circulate oil.
When was the level checked last?
You may need to start searching for a shop a little closer to do the work as the leak may be too big to drive very far.
I would get under the coach and try and pinpoint the leak.

Re: Possible Steering Leak

Reply #17 – May 10, 2017, 12:01:04 pm

After You get to Nac I might look you up... Am here @ Extreme for another week.
red

Re: Possible Steering Leak

Reply #18 – May 10, 2017, 12:04:06 pm

That (John 44) suggestion was mine as well and you have to find the leak fast and easy to see the steering box after opening the small front bay door. A MUST DO BEFORE PUTTING MORE OIL IN SYSTEM IMHO.
JohnH

Re: Possible Steering Leak

Reply #19 – May 10, 2017, 12:11:45 pm

Going to get oil, kitty litter, funnel, and pans. Will put kitty litter in a pan and put it behind the leak. I will back up the coach and then clean up under the front and try to find the leak source.

Then remove the sludge and cover with kitty litter. If I can find where the leak is, will check back with the forum..

Thanks, for your help,

Trent

Re: Possible Steering Leak

Reply #20 – May 10, 2017, 12:13:50 pm

When you start the coach have your wife outside at the front,the oil may be pouring out if a hose broke.

Re: Possible Steering Leak

Reply #21 – May 10, 2017, 02:09:46 pm

kitty litter - mash it in.

Re: Possible Steering Leak

Reply #22 – May 10, 2017, 02:39:52 pm

Have the wife start the motorhome. You need to be looking at the leak.

Re: Possible Steering Leak

Reply #23 – May 10, 2017, 03:13:05 pm

Quote from: TulsaTrent – May 10, 2017, 11:32:34 am

TWENTY-THREE QUARTS!!!

No wonder a guy can leave a large wet spot! (Nor further discussion needed.)
Trent

That is how much oil you put in the system?

When I had my leak I only went thru about 10 quarts before I found out I had a leak. I had covered the side of the coach with a coat of oil.

To get back home I took one of the oil containers and cut the top out of it and put over the steering gear. When I had the engine running I was moving. I think the 250+ miles to my home I had only went thru about 3 quarts which I was able to catch about 2 1/2" of them in my catch can.

Re: Possible Steering Leak

Reply #24 – May 10, 2017, 03:44:08 pm

I had a leak on our 98' U295 that started out just as you are describing. I found that it was indeed leaking from the steering gearbox. At first it was VERY slow. I drove it to Foretravel of Texas (about a 4 hr drive). They replaced the outer seal only. Long story short... It leaked again several weeks down the road. But again, it was very slow. I would just notice a few drops on the ground. I ended up having a new gearbox installed. I again drove to Nacogdoches TX. I almost didn't make it. Just as I got to Nacogdoches the "leak" turned into an all out river of fluid. I made a huge mess in MOT's parking lot and down the side of my coach. MOT installed the new gearbox and I haven't had any trouble since. If you drive with a leaking gearbox you could be playing with a ticking time bomb. Make sure to keep a very close eye on it.

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