Power steering
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08-03-2006, 10:15
Post: #1
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Power steering
In my posts about my power steering leaks, I had mentioned that the
original owner had complained of them early on. Today I did a thorough search of the bluebox and determined that Bluebird replaced the pump and hoses once, the hoses another time, the hoses were replaced at least two other times and clamps replaced at least one other time. All this within 100k and the leaks continue. This tells me that there is a very fundamental problem with the system. I think venting the reservoir may reduce the leaks, but since most vehicles have unvented reservoirs (as near as I can tell), this doesn't address whatever underlying issue causes the problem. Perhaps it is the location of the reservoir. Unlike the traditional front mounted reservoir, the reservoir on my coach gets very little air flow around it. Perhaps this increases fluid temperature enough to raise pressures to unacceptable levels. Whatever the underlying causes, I don't think replacing my hoses is going to stop the leaks if the past is any indication. Perhaps it would be more advantageous to install a cooler or relocate the reservoir. Kerry 82 fc |
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08-03-2006, 11:36
Post: #2
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Power steering
Hey Kerry,
It seems like we FC owners are all cursed with Power Steering problems! I'm going through the same thing with my 83' FC-35. I contacted a company called Bab Steering in California. Phone #800-783-5222. Was recommended to them by people on this list. They are very knowlegeable. Bill and Gary are very helpful. Bill sent me a new pump and a larger, vented reservior. He said the larger reservoir might help cool the fluid. I'm in the process of installing them right now. I also don't like the location of the stock reservior right above the engine. Its in a great place to absorb heat! Problem is - I don't know where else to mount it, unless you are willing to remove your AC compressor. Given the fact it is 100+ degrees here, I'm not ready for that! Also, I was unable to find a plate in drivers floor to access my steering box below. Instead, I opened up the front swing headlight plate and accessed the steering box pressure fitting from there. I then removed the batteries from the tray and removed the non-pressure hose from there. Hope that helps Kerry! Andy 83 FC-35 Spring Lake Heights, NJ --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards" > > In my posts about my power steering leaks, I had mentioned that the > original owner had complained of them early on. Today I did a > thorough search of the bluebox and determined that Bluebird replaced > the pump and hoses once, the hoses another time, the hoses were > replaced at least two other times and clamps replaced at least one > other time. All this within 100k and the leaks continue. > This tells me that there is a very fundamental problem with the > system. I think venting the reservoir may reduce the leaks, but since > most vehicles have unvented reservoirs (as near as I can tell), this > doesn't address whatever underlying issue causes the problem. Perhaps > it is the location of the reservoir. Unlike the traditional front > mounted reservoir, the reservoir on my coach gets very little air flow > around it. Perhaps this increases fluid temperature enough to raise > pressures to unacceptable levels. > Whatever the underlying causes, I don't think replacing my hoses is > going to stop the leaks if the past is any indication. Perhaps it > would be more advantageous to install a cooler or relocate the reservoir. > > Kerry > 82 fc > |
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08-03-2006, 11:56
Post: #3
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Power steering
Andy:
Please let me know how things turn out. I too had thought that a greater volume of fluid might help deal with the heat but like you I haven't been capable of imagining a better location for the reservoir. I read the technical bulletin on Redline Synthetic Power Steering fluid and it indicated that it was superior in dealing with high temperatures. That made me think that a fluid change might help. Did Bab mention using synthetic fluids? How much bigger is the reservoir and how much did it cost? If I do anything with my hoses I'll probably change them out to high pressure hoses if it is possible to do that. Do you think the fittings at the bottom of the reservoir (old and new one) permit installation of high pressure hose fittings? By the way, in the documentation from BlueBird in my bluebox there was a mention of a recall on the steering which was checked on my coach but it didn't describe the problem that resulted in the recall. Kerry 82 Fc 35 Denver --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Andy Coleman" > > Hey Kerry, > > It seems like we FC owners are all cursed with Power Steering > problems! I'm going through the same thing with my 83' FC-35. > > I contacted a company called Bab Steering in California. Phone > #800-783-5222. Was recommended to them by people on this list. > > They are very knowlegeable. Bill and Gary are very helpful. > > Bill sent me a new pump and a larger, vented reservior. He said the > larger reservoir might help cool the fluid. > > I'm in the process of installing them right now. > > I also don't like the location of the stock reservior right above the > engine. Its in a great place to absorb heat! Problem is - I don't > know where else to mount it, unless you are willing to remove your AC > compressor. Given the fact it is 100+ degrees here, I'm not ready for > that! > > Also, I was unable to find a plate in drivers floor to access my > steering box below. Instead, I opened up the front swing headlight > plate and accessed the steering box pressure fitting from there. I > then removed the batteries from the tray and removed the non-pressure > hose from there. > > Hope that helps Kerry! > > Andy > 83 FC-35 > Spring Lake Heights, NJ > > |
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08-03-2006, 13:05
Post: #4
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Power steering
I've decided to temporarily remove the vent I installed on the
reservoir and replace it with a pressure gauge to confirm that the reservoir is building up pressure. Has anyone else conducted this test? Kerry 82 FC 35 Denver |
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08-03-2006, 13:25
Post: #5
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Power steering
Andy,
I agree. Babs Steering in California, Bill and Gary...you can't go wrong with that combination. That has been my experience. They take ownership of a problem until it gets resolved...a lost quality in most business today. Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif. Andy Coleman wrote: > Hey Kerry, > > It seems like we FC owners are all cursed with Power Steering > problems! I'm going through the same thing with my 83' FC-35. > > I contacted a company called Bab Steering in California. Phone > #800-783-5222. Was recommended to them by people on this list. > > They are very knowlegeable. Bill and Gary are very helpful. > > Bill sent me a new pump and a larger, vented reservior. He said the > larger reservoir might help cool the fluid. > > I'm in the process of installing them right now. > > I also don't like the location of the stock reservior right above the > engine. Its in a great place to absorb heat! Problem is - I don't > know where else to mount it, unless you are willing to remove your AC > compressor. Given the fact it is 100+ degrees here, I'm not ready for > that! > > Also, I was unable to find a plate in drivers floor to access my > steering box below. Instead, I opened up the front swing headlight > plate and accessed the steering box pressure fitting from there. I > then removed the batteries from the tray and removed the non-pressure > hose from there. > > Hope that helps Kerry! > > Andy > 83 FC-35 > Spring Lake Heights, NJ > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > > > > > > In my posts about my power steering leaks, I had mentioned that the > > original owner had complained of them early on. Today I did a > > thorough search of the bluebox and determined that Bluebird replaced > > the pump and hoses once, the hoses another time, the hoses were > > replaced at least two other times and clamps replaced at least one > > other time. All this within 100k and the leaks continue. > > This tells me that there is a very fundamental problem with the > > system. I think venting the reservoir may reduce the leaks, but since > > most vehicles have unvented reservoirs (as near as I can tell), this > > doesn't address whatever underlying issue causes the problem. Perhaps > > it is the location of the reservoir. Unlike the traditional front > > mounted reservoir, the reservoir on my coach gets very little air flow > > around it. Perhaps this increases fluid temperature enough to raise > > pressures to unacceptable levels. > > Whatever the underlying causes, I don't think replacing my hoses is > > going to stop the leaks if the past is any indication. Perhaps it > > would be more advantageous to install a cooler or relocate the > reservoir. > > > > Kerry > > 82 fc > > > > |
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12-21-2006, 13:32
Post: #6
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Power steering
I have just purchased an '84 FC33. How does one check and add fluid to
the power steering - what kind of fluid. Art Weatherly Riverside Ca |
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12-21-2006, 15:13
Post: #7
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Power steering
Canister under the doghouse to the left at the back. Usually has a dipstick
screwed into it. Remove the lid to add fluid. Many people use Dexron auto transmission fluid but there are other choices such as power steering fluid. Are you having problems with the power steering? Kerry 82 FC 35 Denver --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "amweath" > > I have just purchased an '84 FC33. How does one check and add fluid to > the power steering - what kind of fluid. > > Art Weatherly > Riverside Ca > |
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12-21-2006, 15:29
Post: #8
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Power steering
Art,
Welcome to the forum(s). I live in Anaheim. Phil Corpus, Oxnard, and I coordinate 'Bird rallys here in the Southwest. We'd like you to join us if you are interested. Our group is informal, no dues, etc. Just folks having fun. The next rally is in Quartzsite the last weekend in January 2007. Forty 'Birds and 12 SOBs (Some Other Brand) plan to attend. Email me privately and we'll get you all the information, ask questions, etc. I look forward to hearing from you. Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38 8V92 "MacAttack Racing" Anaheim Hills, Calif. curtsprenger@... 714.998.6187 amweath wrote: >I have just purchased an '84 FC33. How does one check and add fluid to >the power steering - what kind of fluid. > >Art Weatherly >Riverside Ca > > > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > |
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