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Power Steering Gear Box Bypass

July 07, 2018, 03:04:16 pm

   My pwr steering box started leaking on the back side of the sector gear. Probably caused by improper stop adjustment leading to high pressure on the seal. Read in one of the past threads the great idea of bypassing the unit until repairs can be made by disconnecting the input and output lines then joining them with a 1/2 in jic fitting. Would shorting the circuit this way cause any issues with the hydraulic pump such as low pressure? Does anyone know if the fans and pwr steering box hyd circuits are in parallel or series? Wondering if the pressure is reduced will the fans see a reduced hydraulic pressure. Would it be better to disconnect and plug the lines if having to drive a long distance this way?

Thanks, Ed

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Re: Power Steering Gear Box Bypass

Reply #1 – July 07, 2018, 03:09:45 pm

Ed,

I am not aware of anyone who has either bypassed or blocked off the lines.

Probably best to talk to someone like Abury at MOT who either designed the system or knows who did.

 Aubrey Lee: Aubrey joined the Motorhomes of Texas staff in September of 2016 as our technical support specialist and service technic...  800-651-1112 EXT 306

Mark Harvey at Foretravel may be another good source.

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Re: Power Steering Gear Box Bypass

Reply #2 – July 07, 2018, 03:21:48 pm

Thanks Brett, I will contact them next week.

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Re: Power Steering Gear Box Bypass

Reply #3 – July 07, 2018, 04:07:23 pm

Would you be able to safely steer the coach with no power steering?  Maybe not so difficult on a straight road, not sure about sharp curves or if you had to make a sudden correction.  If not leaking too badly, just keep putting in more oil.

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Re: Power Steering Gear Box Bypass

Reply #4 – July 07, 2018, 04:41:53 pm

If the coach never had the unit rebuilt or seals replaced before, age has gotten to it. Being a 1997  unit they have been going out a few years now.  In  following threads it has not been miles that cause them to fail, it is just age.

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Re: Power Steering Gear Box Bypass

Reply #5 – July 07, 2018, 11:30:35 pm

All good points. I'm planning to stop in to talk to my local Cummins shop to see if they can replace the unit with a rebuilt one.

Thanks again, Ed

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Re: Power Steering Gear Box Bypass

Reply #6 – July 08, 2018, 08:18:57 am

Ed,

When they do, make sure they set the cut angles properly.

They also may be able to get seals and just reseal yours.

If excessive play, many have had Redhead in Washington state blueprint theirs.

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Re: Power Steering Gear Box Bypass

Reply #7 – July 08, 2018, 11:03:26 am

Chalk Truck in Houston did mine for about the same money when I ran out time to do a RedHead.  Next day instead of two weeks.  No leaks, very solid feel.  Another option.
http://chalks.com/products/steering/

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Re: Power Steering Gear Box Bypass

Reply #8 – July 09, 2018, 01:05:36 pm

Thanks to everyone for your input. Does anyone know which adjuster adjusts the left turn stop on our units? (97 U295) bottom is the most accessible........Ed

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Re: Power Steering Gear Box Bypass

Reply #9 – July 09, 2018, 02:57:44 pm

Ed,

I don't recall off-hand.  So, my suggestion is turn the bottom screw in exactly two turns and see which side's cut angle has been diminished.

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Re: Power Steering Gear Box Bypass

Reply #10 – July 09, 2018, 03:40:28 pm

That worked Brett. Bottom turned out to be the passenger and top the driver's side. Appreciate your emphsis to check that. Both sides were hitting the mechanical stops so they either lost adjustment or were not adjusted properly. That probably caused my seal leakage.

Thanks again, Ed

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Re: Power Steering Gear Box Bypass

Reply #11 – July 09, 2018, 07:30:41 pm

And if the physical stops are set "too conservative" your cut angles will be reduced.  The physical stops are to keep the tire/wheel from contacting suspension/body parts.  Then a 1/8" air gap. Then the limit set by the adjustment screws.

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Re: Power Steering Gear Box Bypass

Reply #12 – July 09, 2018, 08:06:21 pm

Didn't look closely at the mechanical stop screws. I will check those for looseness. I suppose if they are tight they are where the factory set them. Haven't noticed tire rubbing in sharp turns. A lot of factors there.

Ed

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Re: Power Steering Gear Box Bypass

Reply #13 – July 10, 2018, 09:31:27 am

Ed,

Not a matter of tight-- never saw one loose.  The point is that they need to be adjusted to prevent tire/wheel contact with body and suspension components.

Very last coach I did a full mechanical inspection on has 295/75 vs 275/80 tires.  A reasonable substitution, BUT the left tire hit the drag link on full right turn.  That needed both stop and steering box adjusted!

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Re: Power Steering Gear Box Bypass

Reply #14 – July 10, 2018, 10:46:55 am

I am sorry that I had my leaking box replaced with a rebuilt unit from Sheppard.  The rebuilt has more play than the original.  If I could do it again, would have had a shop replace the seals, or have it rebuilt by Red Head. 

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Re: Power Steering Gear Box Bypass

Reply #15 – July 11, 2018, 06:58:06 am

Brett,
  Now that I understand the operation a little better I can check (and adjust if necessary) for best cut angle. Nice to have when maneuvering in tight spots while not having to worry about overpressurizing the power steering box.

Jerry,
  I was lucky with mine. The leak was on the easily accessible side opposite the pitman arm, so I pulled the end cap, cleaned the seal and the leak stopped. It looks like some sealant was applied to the seal slot when it was installed which had started to deteriorate and a piece got pushed between the seal and shaft causing the leak. I'm going to order a seal kit to have it on hand. My steering wanders also so a good tight box might be in order in the future if an alignment doesn't correct it.

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