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Topic: Steering gearbox leak (Read 5142 times) previous topic - next topic

Steering gearbox leak

Well it was on the preventative to fo list but never ordered parts.  Noticed a seep from the cap this morning. Hopefully will be able to nurse home. Were seal kits available threw Amazon? Would be nice to at least have a kit in hand.  I do carry three gallons of oil normally and will make a catch pan if it gets worse. Still haven't added any oil yet
Scott

Re: Steering gearbox leak

Reply #1 –
Scott,

Also, minimize full lock turns, particularly if not moving. Lower PSI is your friend!

Re: Steering gearbox leak

Reply #2 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Scott,

Also, minimize full lock turns, particularly if not moving. Lower PSI is your friend!
Was having to make a lot of slow tight turns  this week. Wonder if running cooling fans on hi would also use up some of the higher pressure also.

Re: Steering gearbox leak

Reply #3 –
Scott,
Here is an Ebay link for the seals.
Sheppard M100 Sector Shaft Seal ONLY | Qty. 2 | eBay

I got the full rebuild kit from Redhead.  Not sure about Amazon.
Wrap a rag around it as best as you can to get the oil to drip down into a bucket.  Otherwise, it really blows around and makes quite a mess.
Safe Travels

Re: Steering gearbox leak

Reply #4 –
Quote from: MarkC –

Wrap a rag around it as best as you can to get the oil to drip down into a bucket.  Otherwise, it really blows around and makes quite a mess.
Safe Travels
Great idea with the rag. So we traveled 6 hr today an minimal leakage. Note it's not leaking at seal back looks like back plate.
Scott

Re: Steering gearbox leak

Reply #5 –
When mine was seeping a bit of oil, it dripped into the pan on the floor of the bay where your generator cooling fan is.  I put a bunch of oil dry in the pan, soaked up most of it.

Re: Steering gearbox leak

Reply #6 –
Made it to North Carolina without issue. Still haven't needed to add oil. Will head back home on Tuesday keeping a eye on it. Cup and kitty litter taking care of it so far. Will relocate inside and add a rag to control if needed.
Scott

Re: Steering gearbox leak

Reply #7 –
Well from Asheville to southern Nevada oil consumption increased. Total oil sprayed on the side and bottom of the coach was about three quarts. Bath day tomorrow for the coach. Between the oil and the bugs it's a mess.
Scott

Re: Steering gearbox leak

Reply #8 –
Scott;  when ours starting leaking, I put a fairly large plastic bowl under the gear box and got some drycent or kitty liter at the store and stuffed with rags on the floor.  Drove from New Mexico to Mexico with no issues.  I did put some bars stop leak in the tank and it seemed to really make a difference!  Wishing you a successful trip home with no issues! 
On another note;  temps going into the teens by the end of the week.  UGH!  The ugly word is coming!  Sn_w!!

Re: Steering gearbox leak

Reply #9 –
So after 13 days fed x delivered puller. Looks good. Got coach raised on 4 1/2" blocks and up on maintenance stands. Pulled generator box forward and used a muffler tool to cut a 8" square out of the generator compartment box to access pitman arm. Not having a 5/8 hex drive socket I cut a inch off of a 5/8 Allen key and used a 5/8 socket and impact. Unlocked tabs and removed center Allen lock bolt. Puller threads was lubed with hi pressure lube and used with Milwaukee m18 impact. Was at about a half hour of labor when pitman arm was marked/ indexed and removed. Dinner time so called it a night. I will follow up as I go. Going to be windy here tomorrow so probably the day after. Cheap tool worked as advertised.
Scott
Horizon Tool 18620 Sheppard M100 Pitman Arm Puller | eBay

Re: Steering gearbox leak

Reply #10 –
Is that the reason for the hole in the generator compartment is to remove the
pitman arm as I was able to remove my pitman arm to readjust it without removing
the cover that someone had made.

Re: Steering gearbox leak

Reply #11 –
Quote from: oldguy –
Is that the reason for the hole in the generator compartment is to remove the
pitman arm as I was able to remove my pitman arm to readjust it without removing
the cover that someone had made.
Yes will cover cutout with a aluminum repair plate when finished.

Re: Steering gearbox leak

Reply #12 –
Quote from: oldguy –
Is that the reason for the hole in the generator compartment is to remove the
pitman arm as I was able to remove my pitman arm to readjust it without removing
the cover that someone had made.

Looking up there I am with you that this can be done without making the hole.  Today I bought a nice mirror and a 5/8 1/2 drive socket which hopefully will not break.  I intend to use a 1/2 breaker bar and cheater pipe.  The question will be whether or not the puller will fit as well as the 3/4 torque wrench, 3/4 to 1/2 adapter and 1/2" 5/8 socket.  We shall see!  It's nice how there always seem to be a few people tackling these things at the same time ;)

Also when I moved mine into service position it was dripping about 1 drip every 2 seconds.  Makes for quite a mess when you drive down the road with a leak like that.  Mine is coming out of the pitman arm side of the box.

Re: Steering gearbox leak

Reply #13 –
Forgetting it off I needed to use a 5/8th combination wrench with a cheater for
the puller and putting it on I guessed the torque.

Re: Steering gearbox leak

Reply #14 –
Quote from: oldguy –
Forgetting it off I needed to use a 5/8th combination wrench with a cheater for
the puller and putting it on I guessed the torque.
Well the impact made it a very easy job and will also use to reinstall. Ill be comfortable with not using a torque wrench. The lock clip will indicate when it is positioned were it was before. The puller will require quite a bit more effort IMO and the cutout in the fiberglass doesn't bother me at all. I'm still planning on sealing in position as the Shepard m100 manual says can be performed. DWMYH I did. I have heard these can take more effort if your willing to work at it.  8)
Scott

Re: Steering gearbox leak

Reply #15 –
It is not recommended to use the impact when installing. The hammering action can damage the gear box.

Re: Steering gearbox leak

Reply #16 –
I started on mine today.  I was able to get the pitman arm bolt out easily without the access hole however I didn't have a 32 mm wrench to fit so I was trying to tighten the puller with an adjustable wrench.  This wasn't happening.  Then I realized my generator box has an enormous access hole already cut with square self tapper screws (aka Foretravel made this hole).  Someone was already in there before.  Getting the pitman arm off with the puller took a substantial effort.  Alternating rounds of tightening 20 degrees or so with a breaker bar and cheater pipe, heat with a propane torch, and hammering on arm and on the end of the puller.  After 3 rounds of this when things got pretty hot it came right off.  I needed a swivel as the ~24mm large upper bolt has a frame rail in the way.  If my 24mm/15/16" socket wasn't a deep socket, this wouldn't be an issue.  I had to stop because all my gopro batteries were dead.  Trying to make a youtube video for this job.  Tyler's was good but I'd like to see one showing each step.  So far I'm failing as I got the pitman arm loosened off camera  ;D

Re: Steering gearbox leak

Reply #17 –
Did you remember to mark a index mark. The sector shaft had a arrow but no mark on the pitman arm on mine. Used a center punch to put a small mark to indicate were the arrow goes.
Scott

Re: Steering gearbox leak

Reply #18 –
Quote from: Lon and Cheryl –
It is not recommended to use the impact when installing. The hammering action can damage the gear box.
Guess they should change the removal procedure in their manual to also prevent damage.
In not changing any components returning back to prior nut lock location will be fine for me.
Scott

Re: Steering gearbox leak

Reply #19 –
Quote from: MarkC –
Scott,
Here is an Ebay link for the seals.
Sheppard M100 Sector Shaft Seal ONLY | Qty. 2 | eBay

I got the full rebuild kit from Redhead.  Not sure about Amazon.
Wrap a rag around it as best as you can to get the oil to drip down into a bucket.  Otherwise, it really blows around and makes quite a mess.
Safe Travels

Would this be the same.kit I want to rebuild.mine? I have not even looked at my steering box but it sounds like it just joined the maint list! Is this a common problem on the FT's?