Steering Box Leak Just Started

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Steering Box Leak Just Started

March 15, 2020, 06:58:38 pm

Previous to March 01st my steering box has been dry as a bone. Today I just noticed discoloration in the sand/dirt below left front and peeked inside bay below driver's seat to see oil residue on steering box and floor of pan. (See pic) I have a few questions related to this leak maybe someone can answer? First, I had recently had my radiator replaced as well as one of the hydraulic cooling fans that was leaking. Could the increase in pressure from replacing the new fan pump be enough to do in old seals on steering box ? Or the current campsite I am on is far from level and has the front end raised up close to max and rear is far lower. Could this be straining frontend causing the seal to leak? If seals are bad can the box be resealed or does it need to be replaced? The steering has been tight and I haven't had any issues driving?

Re: Steering Box Leak Just Started

Reply #1 – March 15, 2020, 07:05:43 pm

Quote from: muskyman475 – March 15, 2020, 06:58:38 pm

Previous to March 01st my steering box has been dry as a bone. Today I just noticed discoloration in the sand/dirt below left front and peeked inside bay below driver's seat to see oil residue on steering box and floor of pan. (See pic) I have a few questions related to this leak maybe someone can answer? First, I had recently had my radiator replaced as well as one of the hydraulic cooling fans that was leaking. Could the increase in pressure from replacing the new fan pump be enough to do in old seals on steering box ? Or the current campsite I am on is far from level and has the front end raised up close to max and rear is far lower. Could this be straining frontend causing the seal to leak? If seals are bad can the box be resealed or does it need to be replaced? The steering has been tight and I haven't had any issues driving?

Neither the pump rebuild or the level of the coach would cause the steering box to start leaking. They all seem to make it 20 years then start leaking.
Do a search and see how many 1999 steering boxes have been done itn the last year.

Re: Steering Box Leak Just Started

Reply #2 – March 15, 2020, 07:09:18 pm

Do you have any idea how tough of a job is it? Debating if I should tackle it or take it in?

Re: Steering Box Leak Just Started

Reply #3 – March 15, 2020, 07:22:01 pm

It is a tough job and the gear box is heavy if you have to remove it. If one seal is leaking then all of them probably need to be replaced. A lot of owners recommend a "Red Head" rebuild. They may have a unit in stock so that yours can be swapped out and delay time in a shop.

Re: Steering Box Leak Just Started

Reply #4 – March 15, 2020, 07:23:10 pm

Quote from: Jerry Whiteaker – March 15, 2020, 07:22:01 pm

It is a tough job and the gear box is heavy if you have to remove it. If one seal is leaking then all of them probably need to be replaced. A lot of owners recommend a "RedHead" rebuild. They may have a unit in stock so that yours can be swapped out and delay time in a shop.

Fixed... RedHead

Re: Steering Box Leak Just Started

Reply #5 – March 15, 2020, 07:26:08 pm

I said Red Hat meant Red Head, corrected it.

Re: Steering Box Leak Just Started

Reply #6 – March 15, 2020, 07:45:20 pm

Quote from: muskyman475 – March 15, 2020, 07:09:18 pm

Do you have any idea how tough of a job is it?

There's quite a bit of good previous discussion over the years if you search the forum.

Hover over Community on the top left, click "Search". Type in steering box as your search terms.

This isn't a regular, everyday "off the shelf" item so do the research first. There are some recommendations for whose rebuilt one to get (Red Head) and also highly critical to set the stops on the new one correctly lest you end up issues.

Re: Steering Box Leak Just Started

Reply #7 – March 15, 2020, 07:59:35 pm

Quote from: muskyman475 – March 15, 2020, 06:58:38 pm

Previous to March 01st my steering box has been dry as a bone. Today I just noticed discoloration in the sand/dirt below left front and peeked inside bay below driver's seat to see oil residue on steering box and floor of pan. (See pic) I have a few questions related to this leak maybe someone can answer? First, I had recently had my radiator replaced as well as one of the hydraulic cooling fans that was leaking. Could the increase in pressure from replacing the new fan pump be enough to do in old seals on steering box ? Or the current campsite I am on is far from level and has the front end raised up close to max and rear is far lower. Could this be straining frontend causing the seal to leak? If seals are bad can the box be resealed or does it need to be replaced? The steering has been tight and I haven't had any issues driving?

mine does in the cold, wipe it iff and give her a road trip and see if it still leaks...seals contract in the cold, mine re-seals after a short road trip

Re: Steering Box Leak Just Started

Reply #8 – March 15, 2020, 08:13:27 pm

Quote from: muskyman475 – March 15, 2020, 07:09:18 pm

Do you have any idea how tough of a job is it? Debating if I should tackle it or take it in?

With the exception of a custom built pitman arm puller, from what I've read it's just close quarters wrenching.

Re: Steering Box Leak Just Started

Reply #9 – March 15, 2020, 08:42:26 pm

lucas

Re: Steering Box Leak Just Started

Reply #10 – March 15, 2020, 08:52:34 pm

I have a 1999 and the steering box started leaking at the side cove replaced the seal it last 1500 miles then started leaking at pitmen seal had to get it rebuild it a hard and dirty job R&R install about 12 hr just putting new seals is just a band-Aid get a reman the box cost me about $1600.00 labour $1200.00 plus freight And oil tax plus Servicing hydraulics filters

Re: Steering Box Leak Just Started

Reply #11 – March 15, 2020, 09:08:30 pm

The Redhead box was right at $600.00 tax and shipping both ways. I posted my R&R and so did many others. It is a job that requires a 375# torque wrench or equivalent and a 5/8" 1/2" or 3/4" drive allen socket. The pitman arm puller is still floating around on the Forum. You must have good mechanical skills and strength to do the job yourself. If you are up to it, pm me for advice after you have obtained the puller.

Re: Steering Box Leak Just Started

Reply #12 – March 15, 2020, 09:38:07 pm

T-Man,
ChuckP suggested this Lucas product a few weeks back. After reading his post, I thought about adding it to my system as a preventative measure. It's name, Hydraulic Oil Booster & Stop Leak, suggests it's designed for hydraulic oil rather than the 15-40 we use in our hydraulic systems. Anyhow, I wrote Lucas and asked them about it. Of course, like many large organizations, they didn't bother to reply. I then wrote Tractor Supply where I intended to buy it and asked them the same question. After a few days they replied that it should not be used in motor oil. I don't know where they got their information so I don't think we can consider their answer definitive. Anyhow, it sounds like a great product and I wish we could be certain it is appropriate for our systems.
jor

Re: Steering Box Leak Just Started

Reply #13 – March 15, 2020, 09:47:05 pm

Craneman,

From reading the posts I guess this will be a shop repair for me. Not something I can do. I am going to clean it up and take it for a drive to see how bad it is leaking.. Fortunately, I am leaving the coach for 3 weeks to join a family vacation. Upon my return it will be much warmer and I will then deal further with the issue. Thank u everyone.

Re: Steering Box Leak Just Started

Reply #14 – March 15, 2020, 10:39:32 pm

Put a bunch of oil absorb stuff in the pan below and see how much it really leaks. Mine dripped maybe a half cup a year into the oil dry for 8 years (changed once a year) before I had the box rebuilt. The leak rate never increased. But it is nice and dry now.

Re: Steering Box Leak Just Started

Reply #15 – March 15, 2020, 10:50:36 pm

Ok, I will do that. thank you!!

Re: Steering Box Leak Just Started

Reply #16 – March 15, 2020, 11:05:38 pm

Quote from: jor – March 15, 2020, 09:38:07 pm

T-Man,
ChuckP suggested this Lucas product a few weeks back. After reading his post, I thought about adding it to my system as a preventative measure. It's name, Hydraulic Oil Booster & Stop Leak, suggests it's designed for hydraulic oil rather than the 15-40 we use in our hydraulic systems. Anyhow, I wrote Lucas and asked them about it. Of course, like many large organizations, they didn't bother to reply. I then wrote Tractor Supply where I intended to buy it and asked them the same question. After a few days they replied that it should not be used in motor oil. I don't know where they got their information so I don't think we can consider their answer definitive. Anyhow, it sounds like a great product and I wish we could be certain it is appropriate for our systems.
jor

I couldn't find anything on the Lucas except that it's compatible with all hydraulic oils. I did however find this on a Blue Devil Q&A;

Yes, the BlueDevil Hydraulic Stop Leak would be safe and compatible to use on your Bad Boy mower using 20W-50 motor oil. The product does not harden or thicken in anyway, so it would not have any adverse affects on the system. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.

Re: Steering Box Leak Just Started

Reply #17 – March 15, 2020, 11:13:01 pm

I just had mine rebuilt 2 weeks ago. Shop that pulled it charged 15 hours and Chalks in Houston rebuilt the box for $595.

I have the Pittman arm puller if anyone needs it

Keith

Re: Steering Box Leak Just Started

Reply #18 – March 16, 2020, 12:24:41 am

Thank you hdff.

Re: Steering Box Leak Just Started

Reply #19 – March 16, 2020, 02:58:44 am

Reliability is the key to me in this. The failure rate from time seems extremely high.

I played with all the front suspension parts over five years.

After the rebuild the residual small play that was induced by adjusting the wheel bearings to the legally defensible.001 and .003 was eliminated by the steering box rebuild.

Almost the same as preloading the front wheel bearings. The difference is subtle but noticeable if you are sensitive and have eliminated the other inputs.

My shop had to loosen the steering column also. Not an easy job. And they had just done another one right before mine.

Worn races and leaking. One you could live with the other one no.

The seals die from age. Fall apart.

Re: Steering Box Leak Just Started

Reply #20 – March 16, 2020, 10:24:25 am

Just had 2 steering boxes (97 & 2006) R&R'd and sent to redhead by MOT. They do a lot of them & they know how to do them pretty fast. Each was a 6hr job. They could have also replaced the boxes with rebuilds (not Red Heads) that they have on the shelf, if time is an issue.

Re: Steering Box Leak Just Started

Reply #21 – March 16, 2020, 11:15:08 am

For us slow folks define R and R.

Re: Steering Box Leak Just Started

Reply #22 – March 16, 2020, 11:49:03 am

Quote from: John44 – March 16, 2020, 11:15:08 am

For us slow folks define R and R.

Remove & Replace. Paid them only for the labor of removing the box, shipping it to Redhead and reinstalling the rebuilt box.

Re: Steering Box Leak Just Started

Reply #23 – March 16, 2020, 11:54:45 am

Quote from: jor – March 15, 2020, 09:38:07 pm

T-Man,
ChuckP suggested this Lucas product a few weeks back. After reading his post, I thought about adding it to my system as a preventative measure. It's name, Hydraulic Oil Booster & Stop Leak, suggests it's designed for hydraulic oil rather than the 15-40 we use in our hydraulic systems. Anyhow, I wrote Lucas and asked them about it. Of course, like many large organizations, they didn't bother to reply. I then wrote Tractor Supply where I intended to buy it and asked them the same question. After a few days they replied that it should not be used in motor oil. I don't know where they got their information so I don't think we can consider their answer definitive. Anyhow, it sounds like a great product and I wish we could be certain it is appropriate for our systems.
jor

My decision to add this stuff was based on positive past experiences. I've been running it in my coach for close to 10 years now and unless my leaking fan motors cured themselves, it is still working well. That said, I'm comfortable with experimentation, and given the above research, I'm withdrawing my recommendation. I will, personally, continue to use it without reservation. YMMV as they say.....

Re: Steering Box Leak Just Started

Reply #24 – March 16, 2020, 12:09:54 pm

Quote

I'm withdrawing my recommendation.

I'm on the fence. Pretty hard to make a good argument against experience!
jor

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