Steering box info

Topic: Steering box info (Read 1293 times) previous topic - next topic

Steering box info

January 31, 2020, 06:38:49 pm

Just finished pulling the Sheppard box. Information gleaned off the Forum is a big help. From Don's posts, pulled the steering wheel up out of the floor as he wished he had done. From Chris Lang's info emptied the compartment under the driver's seat as he wished he had done. From info I read in the past and can't remember the poster, I used a cart to get the box out of the compartment. I have to give credit to Don for being able to carry the tools to do this job in a campground. The box is not leaking and does have some play, but do not want to wind up like Don did and get stuck out on a trip. For others planning to do the box themselves, you better have tools. I could not get the exhaust pipe out of the muffler even with heat so pulled the pipe up through the hole in the floor of the box.

My camera is not doing well at auto focus but here are the pics.

Re: Steering box info

Reply #1 – January 31, 2020, 07:40:42 pm

Since we are on the topic and kinda dumb question.. is there another steering box that is interchangeable with this one? Just wondering I would say out loud but this is going on between my ears right now.

Re: Steering box info

Reply #2 – January 31, 2020, 08:21:30 pm

Some time ago there was a post on a unit that would work. I didn't bookmark it and can't seem to find it. I believe it had to do with a box sold on Ebay but not sure.

Re: Steering box info

Reply #3 – January 31, 2020, 08:28:22 pm

Quote from: DavidS – January 31, 2020, 07:40:42 pm

is there another steering box that is interchangeable with this one?

David,

Sheppard M100PGW1 is a direct swap out with the M100PDP1 that was special made for FT.

Mike

Re: Steering box info

Reply #4 – January 31, 2020, 08:28:30 pm

Found it.

After Mike

Alternate steering box to replace the M100PDP1

Re: Steering box info

Reply #5 – January 31, 2020, 08:31:07 pm

Quote from: Pamela & Mike – January 31, 2020, 08:28:22 pm

David,

Sheppard M100PGW1 is a direct swap out with the M100PDP1 that was special made for FT.

Mike

is it adjustable? Just was wondering.. After my rebuild I cant say I noticed a difference. Doesnt mean I had a problem but at the mileage its hard to say

Re: Steering box info

Reply #6 – January 31, 2020, 08:31:57 pm

Quote from: DavidS – January 31, 2020, 08:31:07 pm

is it adjustable?

Yes but somewhat automatic.

Mike

Re: Steering box info

Reply #7 – January 31, 2020, 10:23:01 pm

Quote from: craneman – January 31, 2020, 06:38:49 pm

Just finished pulling the Sheppard box. Information gleaned off the Forum is a big help. From Don's posts, pulled the steering wheel up out of the floor as he wished he had done. From Chris Lang's info emptied the compartment under the driver's seat as he wished he had done. From info I read in the past and can't remember the poster, I used a cart to get the box out of the compartment. I have to give credit to Don for being able to carry the tools to do this job in a campground. The box is not leaking and does have some play, but do not want to wind up like Don did and get stuck out on a trip. For others planning to do the box themselves, you better have tools. I could not get the exhaust pipe out of the muffler even with heat so pulled the pipe up through the hole in the floor of the box.

My camera is not doing well at auto focus but here are the pics.

Is your generator enclosed? Was it in the way if it was, did you have to cut the enclousure?

Quote from: craneman – January 31, 2020, 06:38:49 pm
Just finished pulling the Sheppard box. Information gleaned off the Forum is a big help. From Don's posts, pulled the steering wheel up out of the floor as he wished he had done. From Chris Lang's info emptied the compartment under the driver's seat as he wished he had done. From info I read in the past and can't remember the poster, I used a cart to get the box out of the compartment. I have to give credit to Don for being able to carry the tools to do this job in a campground. The box is not leaking and does have some play, but do not want to wind up like Don did and get stuck out on a trip. For others planning to do the box themselves, you better have tools. I could not get the exhaust pipe out of the muffler even with heat so pulled the pipe up through the hole in the floor of the box.

My camera is not doing well at auto focus but here are the pics.

Re: Steering box info

Reply #8 – January 31, 2020, 10:38:32 pm

Just a comment. We drove our coach 75 miles to San Diego Sunday to rv at the beach. In a subtle observation I felt that the coach was down a few pounds air pressure. Slightly "soft" handling.

Ran up the coaches air pressure after a few days at the beach, 4 pounds down average. 10 on left rear inside dual. Hmmm

Back to a bit more accurate steering.

Here is what may to be an observation.

Before the steering box rebuild we just completed the coach was sensitive to the wheel bearing preload and correct tire pressure.

Slight,tiny dead spot with non preloaded wheel bearings. Preloaded none.

Same non preloaded bearings but a rebuilt steering box. No dead spot at all.

Seems both can contribute to the steering.

All the parts contribute it seems..

Coach felt like Toyos today on a smooth road.

Non rebuilt box drove differently.

No realignment done.

Everything I am mentioning is subtle. Except for no dead spot at all.

Re: Steering box info

Reply #9 – February 01, 2020, 12:28:19 am

My generator is not enclosed. Maybe the steering box has been rebuilt before, as there was a panel on the outside of the generator box that had square drive sheet metal screws in it. When I removed the panel all I had to do was poke a small hole in the insulation to get the 1/2 drive 5/8 hex socket through. Because of the square drive screws either it was put there from the factory or FT put it on while doing a steering box repair.

Re: Steering box info

Reply #10 – February 01, 2020, 08:27:17 am

Quote from: craneman – February 01, 2020, 12:28:19 am

there was a panel on the outside of the generator box that had square drive sheet metal screws in it. Because of the square drive screws either it was put there from the factory or FT put it on while doing a steering box repair.

Cman,

On your age coach (the coaches that FT built the gen. quite box in house) that removable panel was installed during construction for just the purpose of removing the pitman arm. When FT went with the generator that has the quite box made through Power Tec this trap door wasn't in there box which makes it a lot more trouble to get to the pitman arm.

Mike

Re: Steering box info

Reply #11 – February 01, 2020, 08:40:39 am

Mike, I guess all 320's aren't created equal
Our gen box did not have the panel so it was a pain to steering box out but it was doable
Chris

Re: Steering box info

Reply #12 – February 01, 2020, 08:47:58 am

Chris,

With Cmans coach being built after yours it surprises me that your coach didn't have the trap door.

Mike

Re: Steering box info

Reply #13 – February 01, 2020, 08:50:02 am

Must have been "Monday or Friday"
Chris

Re: Steering box info

Reply #14 – February 01, 2020, 09:35:46 am

Quote from: Pamela & Mike – February 01, 2020, 08:27:17 am

Cman,

On your age coach (the coaches that FT built the gen. quite box in house) that removable panel was installed during construction for just the purpose of removing the pitman arm. When FT went with the generator that has the quite box made through Power Tec this trap door wasn't in there box which makes it a lot more trouble to get to the pitman arm.

Mike

Mike
Good information for future non enclosed generator coaches for pitman arm removal.
That panel almost got overlooked by me, as it was way bigger than what would have been necessary for a pitman arm removal. It definitely makes the job easier. I had already loosened the pitman arm bolt before I found the panel.

Chuck

Re: Steering box info

Reply #15 – February 01, 2020, 09:48:47 am

Chuck,

Is your trap door about 14" square?

Mike

Re: Steering box info

Reply #16 – February 01, 2020, 09:52:28 am

Mike,

It is longer top to bottom and the top goes up behind the frame and the bottom goes all the way to the bottom frame. If it wasn't for the screws you wouldn't know it was a panel. I'll post a picture of the opening and panel later.

Chuck

Re: Steering box info

Reply #17 – February 01, 2020, 11:32:36 am

Pictures of panel and opening.

Re: Steering box info

Reply #18 – February 01, 2020, 11:39:09 am

Chuck,

That is similar to everyone I have seen. With them being hand built per coach they all could be of different size.

Mike

Re: Steering box info

Reply #19 – February 01, 2020, 11:41:24 am

The small hole in the insulation is all I needed to get the arm off.

Re: Steering box info

Reply #20 – July 19, 2020, 08:57:41 pm

For documentation purposes. Really great Foretravel Redhead Steering box How-To.
Author's intro: Foreforum - See the below video for my recap of the Sheppard Steering Box Repair. Mine was leaking so bad I didn't even wanna get it to the shop 20 miles away, and I had some time so I thought I'd tackle the job. Went well and were back on the road with a rebuild from Redhead Steering Gears. Let me know if you need any further advise happy to help fellow owners with this job.

Replacement video (U-Tube) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1S-SA5ucMI&feature=youtu.be

Re: Steering box info

Reply #21 – July 19, 2020, 09:02:11 pm

Thank you for your video. Look forward to more. Mark

Re: Steering box info

Reply #22 – July 19, 2020, 10:00:53 pm

Thanks Mark but not a video of my work but one I found on the internet that I thought was really good and involved a Foretravel...

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