Power Steering Problems

[Scott Forman]

Let me throw this out...

My 82 FC had pretty much the same symptoms you describe for the two
years I owned it. I, too, had read the posts here about it, and was
just "enduring" it waiting for the whole thing to crap out so I would
be forced to address it.

Just before I sold it, I was driving and lost all PS suddenly. I
figured that I would finally need a new pump on its way out the
door. Upon investigation, I found that I had thrown off the ps belt,
so I figured that I would just replace the belt first on the outside
chance that it would return to "normal".

What I found was that replacing the belt sovled a huge amount of the
original problems. The effort was lower, the strange sounds stopped,
the kickback stopped, it was better than it had even been. I guess
the old belt was either too loose or too worn to turn the pump
effectively.

You may want to replace your belt before you do anything else.

Scott Forman
86 PT38
Memphis

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ridgemede310"
wrote:
>
> I'm having a problem with the power steering on my '83 FC-35, and
> after looking through the archives I'm afraid I probably know what
the
> answer is, but being a "new" BB owner; just wanted the experts to
> confirm my suspicions of needing a new or rebuilt PS pump.
>
> The problem I'm having is that I can only turn the wheel less then a
> 1/4 turn when the coach is stationary. Beyond that point, the wheel
> stiffens up, accompanied by some loud squealing and growling. When
> moving, it seems to work ok, but at low speeds (such as when parking
> in a tight spot) it doesn't want to turn more then a 1/4 turn of the
> wheel. When I took a test drive prior to purchasing it, all worked
> fine during the brief trip. Now however, it's a different story. I
> was able to back the coach into it's storage spot by making what
> seemed like a 30-point turn, but I need to move it to a different
> location soon and I'm at somewhat of a loss as to what I'm up
against
> in terms of the repair. Considering the time of year & weather, I'd
> like to get a mobile mechanic out to look at it if I can, but not
sure
> I'd have much luck with that. How involved of a R&R job is this?
>
> Graham
> Baltimore, MD
> 83 FC-35
>

[Andy Coleman]

I installed a new PS pump in my 83' FC-35, and replaced my reservoir
with a new vented one built by Babb Steering.

I replaced the belts and changed the fluid.

The front wheels still do not like to turn when stationary. When I
turn the wheel all the way, mine does not squeel - the steering wheel
actually shakes. It turns better at slow speed, but that is hard to
do in a tight area.

I too live in a house with limited back yard space to turn my bird
around. It is time consuming.

I was very surprized (still am) about the poor turning characteristics
of the FC-35. I have a 35' rear engine thomas bus, and it turns much
tighter.

If anybody finds a way to improve upon this, please let us know! Good
luck Graham!

Andy Coleman
83' FC-35
Spring Lake Hts., NJ


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman" <sforman@...>
wrote:
>
> Let me throw this out...
>
> My 82 FC had pretty much the same symptoms you describe for the two
> years I owned it. I, too, had read the posts here about it, and was
> just "enduring" it waiting for the whole thing to crap out so I would
> be forced to address it.
>
> Just before I sold it, I was driving and lost all PS suddenly. I
> figured that I would finally need a new pump on its way out the
> door. Upon investigation, I found that I had thrown off the ps belt,
> so I figured that I would just replace the belt first on the outside
> chance that it would return to "normal".
>
> What I found was that replacing the belt sovled a huge amount of the
> original problems. The effort was lower, the strange sounds stopped,
> the kickback stopped, it was better than it had even been. I guess
> the old belt was either too loose or too worn to turn the pump
> effectively.
>
> You may want to replace your belt before you do anything else.
>
> Scott Forman
> 86 PT38
> Memphis
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ridgemede310"
> wrote:
> >
> > I'm having a problem with the power steering on my '83 FC-35, and
> > after looking through the archives I'm afraid I probably know what
> the
> > answer is, but being a "new" BB owner; just wanted the experts to
> > confirm my suspicions of needing a new or rebuilt PS pump.
> >
> > The problem I'm having is that I can only turn the wheel less then a
> > 1/4 turn when the coach is stationary. Beyond that point, the wheel
> > stiffens up, accompanied by some loud squealing and growling. When
> > moving, it seems to work ok, but at low speeds (such as when parking
> > in a tight spot) it doesn't want to turn more then a 1/4 turn of the
> > wheel. When I took a test drive prior to purchasing it, all worked
> > fine during the brief trip. Now however, it's a different story. I
> > was able to back the coach into it's storage spot by making what
> > seemed like a 30-point turn, but I need to move it to a different
> > location soon and I'm at somewhat of a loss as to what I'm up
> against
> > in terms of the repair. Considering the time of year & weather, I'd
> > like to get a mobile mechanic out to look at it if I can, but not
> sure
> > I'd have much luck with that. How involved of a R&R job is this?
> >
> > Graham
> > Baltimore, MD
> > 83 FC-35
> >
>

[Mike Hohnstein]

Ya didn't get all the air out. Rule of thumb, with the front tires off the
ground, a dozen lock to lock cycles with the engine off. Start the engine and
at low idle do another dozen lock to lock cycles.
MH
----- Original Message -----
From: Andy Coleman
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, December 22, 2007 6:51 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Power Steering Problems


I installed a new PS pump in my 83' FC-35, and replaced my reservoir
with a new vented one built by Babb Steering.

I replaced the belts and changed the fluid.

The front wheels still do not like to turn when stationary. When I
turn the wheel all the way, mine does not squeel - the steering wheel
actually shakes. It turns better at slow speed, but that is hard to
do in a tight area.

I too live in a house with limited back yard space to turn my bird
around. It is time consuming.

I was very surprized (still am) about the poor turning characteristics
of the FC-35. I have a 35' rear engine thomas bus, and it turns much
tighter.

If anybody finds a way to improve upon this, please let us know! Good
luck Graham!

Andy Coleman
83' FC-35
Spring Lake Hts., NJ

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman" <sforman@...>
wrote:
>
> Let me throw this out...
>
> My 82 FC had pretty much the same symptoms you describe for the two
> years I owned it. I, too, had read the posts here about it, and was
> just "enduring" it waiting for the whole thing to crap out so I would
> be forced to address it.
>
> Just before I sold it, I was driving and lost all PS suddenly. I
> figured that I would finally need a new pump on its way out the
> door. Upon investigation, I found that I had thrown off the ps belt,
> so I figured that I would just replace the belt first on the outside
> chance that it would return to "normal".
>
> What I found was that replacing the belt sovled a huge amount of the
> original problems. The effort was lower, the strange sounds stopped,
> the kickback stopped, it was better than it had even been. I guess
> the old belt was either too loose or too worn to turn the pump
> effectively.
>
> You may want to replace your belt before you do anything else.
>
> Scott Forman
> 86 PT38
> Memphis
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ridgemede310"
> wrote:
> >
> > I'm having a problem with the power steering on my '83 FC-35, and
> > after looking through the archives I'm afraid I probably know what
> the
> > answer is, but being a "new" BB owner; just wanted the experts to
> > confirm my suspicions of needing a new or rebuilt PS pump.
> >
> > The problem I'm having is that I can only turn the wheel less then a
> > 1/4 turn when the coach is stationary. Beyond that point, the wheel
> > stiffens up, accompanied by some loud squealing and growling. When
> > moving, it seems to work ok, but at low speeds (such as when parking
> > in a tight spot) it doesn't want to turn more then a 1/4 turn of the
> > wheel. When I took a test drive prior to purchasing it, all worked
> > fine during the brief trip. Now however, it's a different story. I
> > was able to back the coach into it's storage spot by making what
> > seemed like a 30-point turn, but I need to move it to a different
> > location soon and I'm at somewhat of a loss as to what I'm up
> against
> > in terms of the repair. Considering the time of year & weather, I'd
> > like to get a mobile mechanic out to look at it if I can, but not
> sure
> > I'd have much luck with that. How involved of a R&R job is this?
> >
> > Graham
> > Baltimore, MD
> > 83 FC-35
> >
>





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