Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 10, 2025 ...

Steering Wheel Groan and Swoosh

July 14, 2019, 02:05:30 pm

At highway speeds, everything is hunky dory.  At least it feels and sounds that way.  But when moving at slow speed and really maneuvering I hear a slight groaning that I can also feel in the steering wheel.  It is low grade, but it is there.  And then at full turn, either way, there is swooshing sound.  Thoughts?  Thank you! 

Quote Selected

Re: Steering Wheel Groan and Swoosh

Reply #1 – July 14, 2019, 03:00:13 pm

Mine does the same
  Kids call it "the Whale"

Quote Selected

Re: Steering Wheel Groan and Swoosh

Reply #2 – July 14, 2019, 09:30:23 pm

Yep, sounds like a Sheppard steering box...................as long as the swooshing sound isn't actually a "gushing" sound of oil leaking out on the ground! ............... you should be OK

Quote Selected

Re: Steering Wheel Groan and Swoosh

Reply #3 – July 15, 2019, 10:04:20 am

The big no-no is when making a very tight turn, turning the wheel over and keeping it against the stop while it makes unhappy noises. The relief valve keeps the increased pressure from blowing the seals and hoses but does raise the pressure on one side and can expose weak hoses, connections, etc.

Pierce

Quote Selected

Re: Steering Wheel Groan and Swoosh

Reply #4 – July 15, 2019, 12:34:09 pm

Could the tires be rubbing when making a sharp turn?

Quote Selected

Re: Steering Wheel Groan and Swoosh

Reply #5 – July 15, 2019, 01:08:32 pm

Our tires will rub on some tight turns with the coach leaned a little. You can see it on the aluminum air bag bottom mount. It never touches the bag but polishes the mount. I never worry about it. Makes no noise.

I learned long ago with our manual steering fire trucks and our ex-Greyhound motorhome conversion. Never turn the steering wheel with the coach standing still. Wait until it's just creeping and then give the wheel some input. This saves your arms with manual steering and saves the power steering components. Gravel is the exception.

I got stuck on a very narrow street in Juárez, Mexico when trying to make a turn at a "T." I had to back and turn 13 times before I could get the bus around the corner. All with manual steering. At normal speeds, manual steering is great. I was so tired that after loading furniture, we parked for the night. Nice spot on the town square but next morning was the weekend market so they knocked on the door to move it at 5am. Also happened in Limoges, France where they knocked on our hotel door very early and we got a $200 parking ticket in Paris but lucky, no "boot." Foreign license plates so the ticket is in the scrapbook today.

Pierce

Quote Selected

Re: Steering Wheel Groan and Swoosh

Reply #6 – July 15, 2019, 03:58:08 pm

My coach has the same noise and groan...forgetaboutit...

Quote Selected