Power steering

[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

[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


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards"
wrote:
>
> 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
>

[davidkerryedwards]

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"
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
>
>

[davidkerryedwards]

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

[Curt Sprenger]

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
> , "davidkerryedwards"
> wrote:
> >
> > 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
> >
>
>

[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

[davidkerryedwards]

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" 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
>

[Curt Sprenger]

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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