Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 11, 2025 ...

1997 U270 Steering Box Leak.

March 21, 2023, 03:03:58 pm

So I want to top off the fluid (engine oil) in the canister on left of engine but it has a glass sight level.
1. Do I need to have the engine off when I'm pouring the oil in?
2. How do I use the sight level?  Is it like an "empty" to "full" range measurement?
3. Is this steering system connected with the actual oil in the engine itself?  Or are they two different systems using the same fluid?


Thank you all!

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Re: 1997 U270 Steering Box Leak.

Reply #1 – March 21, 2023, 03:27:43 pm

The sight glass is the low mark, use the dipstick attached to the cap with the engine off. Remember just loosen the cap and lift the dipstick out, don't completely unscrew the cap or the dipstick will fall into the tank.

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Re: 1997 U270 Steering Box Leak.

Reply #2 – March 21, 2023, 04:08:55 pm

#3. They are 2 different systems both should use the same oil though.

Mike

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Re: 1997 U270 Steering Box Leak.

Reply #3 – March 21, 2023, 04:28:41 pm

Yup, it uses the same oil as the engine, but the two system are totally separate.

Easy to verify-- hydraulic oil CLEAR.  Engine oil BLACK.

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Re: 1997 U270 Steering Box Leak.

Reply #4 – March 23, 2023, 07:37:59 pm

Thank you all for the knowledge and help!

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Re: 1997 U270 Steering Box Leak.

Reply #5 – March 29, 2023, 10:55:47 am

Oh no.  I carefully opened the cap on the canister and there was no dipstick.  Instead the cap was affixed to a grommet? with a screw (with a pointy end) keeping them together. 

Can this canister be overfilled?  If I used a ruler and measured in inches from the top of where the cap sits over the canister, how many inches should the oil be from the top?

What should I see in the glass sight?  Do I look at it from the side or directly into it as if to look into the canister?

Thank you all

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Re: 1997 U270 Steering Box Leak.

Reply #6 – March 29, 2023, 11:02:08 am

Oil just needs to be in view of the sight glass. Too low and you dont know how low. I can view the sight glass from outside the coach threw the louvers. When the day comes to service the filters inside you may find your dip stick then. Make sure your cap still seals up correctly
Scott

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Re: 1997 U270 Steering Box Leak.

Reply #7 – March 29, 2023, 11:03:57 am

Get a magnet and fish the dipstick out of the canister.

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Re: 1997 U270 Steering Box Leak.

Reply #8 – March 29, 2023, 11:24:57 am

While the dipstick may certainly  be in the reservoir, it can NOT be sucked into the pump.

It will have fallen on the outside of the filter stack and be happily "resting" on the bottom. 

So, no worries.  Just get it out when you next change the filters (doing the change using the correct procedure so you don't mix unfiltered oil with the filtered oil.

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Re: 1997 U270 Steering Box Leak.

Reply #9 – March 29, 2023, 11:40:47 am

Wolfe10 - thank you I was wondering if the dipstick could have made it beyond the reservoir!  I just need to put enough oil into it to go 15 miles to the repair shop where they'll pull the steering box and send it for repair.

Thank you all for the information.

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Re: 1997 U270 Steering Box Leak.

Reply #10 – March 29, 2023, 11:42:55 am

Change the filters and top/lid gasket at the same time since the fluid will be drained.

A very easy DIY job.

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Re: 1997 U270 Steering Box Leak.

Reply #11 – March 29, 2023, 02:11:06 pm

Sean,

That tank has 3 filters Nelson 84101B (the new Fleetguard #87610A) and you need the gasket for the lid 999-55A

Mike

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Re: 1997 U270 Steering Box Leak.

Reply #12 – March 29, 2023, 04:05:59 pm

Be sure the tank is completely drained before removing the wing nut/"washer"/filters.

And, if any debris in the bottom outer area of the tank, clean that up as well.

This way dirt or unfiltered oil will not bypass the filters and be sucked directly into the hydraulic system.

Once you have the lid off, NO tools are needed-- just a wing nut to remove by hand. That is why I said an easy DIY job.

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