Power steering leak

Topic: Power steering leak (Read 1279 times) previous topic - next topic

Power steering leak

December 14, 2019, 08:03:35 pm

Power steering leak I just discovered a leak in my power system coming from steering box What type of fluid do you put in the power steering reservoir so I can make it home it does not look red like power steering fluid it looks more like a heavy graded motor oil I don't think it's hydraulic oil Can you want tell me what to use it's a 1999 u 270 wit Cummins 350 diesel

Re: Power steering leak

Reply #1 – December 14, 2019, 08:05:05 pm

It should be the same as your engine oil

Re: Power steering leak

Reply #2 – December 14, 2019, 08:05:44 pm

It is 15 40 diesel engine oil. Top it up in canister on left of engine with the little glass sight level.
JohnH

Re: Power steering leak

Reply #3 – December 14, 2019, 08:16:37 pm

Thanks will do

Re: Power steering leak

Reply #4 – December 14, 2019, 11:58:48 pm

Rick,

Don't know how you feel about "snake oil" additives, but some Forum members have tried using stop leak products in their power steering and radiator fan hydraulic systems. Since (on most coaches) both systems use engine oil, a product designed to stop seal leaks in engines might also be useful in the power steering system.

I have added Lucas engine oil stop leak to my radiator fan hydraulic system, in hopes that it would help seal up some minor seepage on the fan motors. I can't say it "cured" the seepage, but it certainly didn't hurt anything. Just throwing it out there as something you might consider, until you get around to actually repairing or replacing your steering box.

Search the term "red head" on this Forum for some info on top quality rebuilt steering boxes.

Engine Oil Stop Leak

Re: Power steering leak

Reply #5 – December 15, 2019, 08:02:58 am

This is the Lucas product that I've used in my hydraulic system. I think it has helped the seep from one of the fan motors.

Hydraulics

George

Re: Power steering leak

Reply #6 – December 15, 2019, 08:07:43 am

Does anyone know what part # for a steering box on a 1999 U70 350 Cummings I went online and looked up redhead steering boxes
Would this be the best company to deal with or is there better, living in Canada wondering if they would ship. Anyone how to go about this .
Thanks Rick

Re: Power steering leak

Reply #7 – December 15, 2019, 08:27:31 am

In the search window on fourm. Enter the word steering. You will see list of articles.

Re: Power steering leak

Reply #8 – December 15, 2019, 08:39:29 am

Bit by the Sheppard M100 bug

Read this one

Re: Power steering leak

Reply #9 – December 15, 2019, 03:32:22 pm

First, I would find out where the leak is. It could be a very easy repair. Look first, decide later.
If the side o ring is leaking it's a five minute repair.
Safe Travels
Dave

Re: Power steering leak

Reply #10 – December 15, 2019, 08:31:41 pm

It's leaking from the six bolt cover on the side. It's leaking quite a bit making a mess in compartment. There is no Foretravel dealer in Canada so if I had make and model of steering box maybe I could get kit or whole box from truck part supplier .It's a 1999 U270 model Foretravel. I'm mechanically incline if I just knew the model and make of steering box . Can you get just a repair kit or does the whole steering box need to be replaced .

Re: Power steering leak

Reply #11 – December 15, 2019, 08:33:12 pm

Go back and use the link on reply #8 it has all the information you need.

Re: Power steering leak

Reply #12 – December 15, 2019, 08:58:21 pm

Thanks I read every thing this time my friend mark told me the same thing going to tackle it tomorrow

Re: Power steering leak

Reply #13 – December 15, 2019, 09:37:13 pm

Rick, As I'm sure you've read on Don's thread, replacing the seal is very doable. You'll need an 18mm socket, a 8" to 10" extension helps. too. On mine, I really had to pry around the edges of the plate to break it loose. Once the place gets loose, make sure that you keep the sector shaft pushed in is you pull the plate out. The seal is easy to remove with a pick tool. Clean the area good, install the new seal, and put it back in place. Be careful when putting the plate back on, don't pinch seal (I'm talking from experience). Make sure you have something to catch the fluid when the plate comes off. You'll probably loose about a pint maybe. Good luck and safe travels.

Re: Power steering leak

Reply #14 – December 16, 2019, 10:34:56 am

Quote from: George Hatfield – December 15, 2019, 08:02:58 am

This is the Lucas product that I've used in my hydraulic system. I think it has helped the seep from one of the fan motors.

Hydraulics

George

What is the oil capacity of the hydraulic system so one would know how much snake oil to put in?

Re: Power steering leak

Reply #15 – December 16, 2019, 10:39:28 am

The "snake oils" are meant to stop small leaks/seeping.

They will not stop large leaks.

Get it fixed!

Re: Power steering leak

Reply #16 – December 16, 2019, 11:34:26 am

I have had to do this on both of our foretravels
I'm sure you have a m100 shepherd gear box
Both times I bought deal kit on line had the box removed and had the shop put the seal kit in
Getting the gear box removed can be difficult and it is heavy so I let the repair shop do it.
I also had to use an additive to get me home from Indiana to nova scotia I checked the level frequently and added the 15/40
Donnie

Re: Power steering leak

Reply #17 – December 16, 2019, 11:59:15 am

I been making call to try to get a kit or exchange steering box in Canada in stead of from the us so I don't have to go through customs and big freight charges and 1 truck part shop told me that the steering box was a Sheppard M 100 PDP-1 what is this PDP-1 I didn't see anyone talk about a. PDP-1 on any of the remarks on this site I don't won't to be talking about the wrong steering box any one use a Sheppard M 100 PDP-1 or is it just Sheppard M100

Re: Power steering leak

Reply #18 – December 16, 2019, 12:05:10 pm

Have you looked for a label/tag or more likely a number cast into the steering box?

Re: Power steering leak

Reply #19 – December 16, 2019, 12:20:55 pm

No Wolfe just look a the leak from compartment it coming from side cap with 8 bolts waiting to get it in a friends heated garage so I can have heat to look at it and work on it I just been trying to call around to see how hard it is to get these parts And when I was talking to the parts man he said he looked it up and came up with this PDP1 which throw me in a loop to make sure I'm talking on the same page About this fix it looks to be an easy job just to remove the cap But want to make sure I am getting the right Part so I do not tie up my friends Garage if I have to take the box off I have the Puller for the Pitman arm just want to make sure I have all the proper parts so I do not tie up my friends Garage any longer and then have to

Re: Power steering leak

Reply #20 – December 16, 2019, 03:36:53 pm

Rick when I took mine to the shop they just said.--Sheppard M 100-- was all they needed to know. Not doubting your skills with repair work, for small seal replacement as others have said. But if it needs rebuilding I would advise against trying to do that yourself. A good overhaul place will have the equipment to pressure up the gear box once it is repaired and check everything out.

On a side note I went to a local truck repair facility and ask who did their steering gear boxes-- they told me the name of a company and said they did all of their repairs and a lot for other trucking companies. You may be able to find someone local that can do you a good job
Chris

Re: Power steering leak

Reply #21 – December 16, 2019, 05:24:31 pm

Chris I got a kit on order $128.00 Canadian and found a truck repair shop said they will put it in that they had done other steering box that it wasn't a problem that International trucks use the same make steering box when I get the parts they would put the kit in they said that They could've got the parts But since I had ordered it no problem so on that part things are looking good not as big of a problem as I taught I can also get a rebuilt Exchange for about $675.00 so I thank everyone for the good and helpful information this is a great site and I am making a lot of penpals

Re: Power steering leak

Reply #22 – December 16, 2019, 07:36:01 pm

Rick, My big concern would be if they are able to pressure it up after repair, and before you re-install on coach, I wouldn't want a re-do any time soon!
Chris

Re: Power steering leak

Reply #23 – December 16, 2019, 07:52:30 pm

Chris They can do a check on it they specialize in truck repairs they do a lot of marine work on Commercial fishing boat and hydraulic equipment they've been in the community about 35 years I have a brother-in-law that works for them doing a lot of fabrication and welding work installing new engines in these fishing boat I drive tractor trailer 4 months out of the year hauling crab and lobster's for the Crab Plant in our community and they have all their tractor trailers service and repaired from this company I just felt that since this motorhome was a 1999 that they would be interested On working on something this old or that it was a I Motor coach but there seems to be no problem I appreciate the concern Chris And looking out for a fellow RV here thanks again i'm like you I want to make sure everything is done to the tea I believe in preventative maintenance I plan to head to Florida after the holidays which is at 2400 mile trip one way and I'm trying to get everything in order

Re: Power steering leak

Reply #24 – December 17, 2019, 08:58:29 am

Quote from: Chris m lang – December 16, 2019, 03:36:53 pm

On a side note I went to a local truck repair facility and ask who did their steering gear boxes-- they told me the name of a company and said they did all of their repairs and a lot for other trucking companies. You may be able to find someone local that can do you a good job
Chris

Flushing, bench adjusting and pressure testing is nice.

Installing larger bearing balls to remove play is nice.

Installing new seals and keeping the oil inside? Priceless.

My ancestors orginaly migrated to Acadia, the to New England and Louisiana.

Cape Breton Nova Scotia Canada

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