Power steering questions

[davidkerryedwards]

I'm finally getting around to fixing the power steering leak I've had since I
bought the
coach. A perusal of all the maintenance records from new show it to be a
persistent
problem reported first in about 1983 or 4. It has barbed fittings for suction
and return
lines. Suction fitting on Eaton power steering pump has one hump instead of
barbs, like a
heater core. Suction line has been replaced at least once, could be 2 or 3
times. Current
suction line is steel reinforced hose. Return line is original (I think) It is
leaking at all
suction and return line fittings. Not leaking on high pressure line.
I put my non-contact thermometer on the reservoir after about a 10 miles
drive on a
75 degree day and it showed 239 degrees. Typical power steering runs at 150
degrees.
So the Bird power steering fluid is clearly too hot. How to fix?
I plan to replace the hoses with high temperature hose (Gates rubber sells one
rated for
300 degrees) and try to replace all barbed connections with threaded
connections, except
for the barb on the suction line at the pump since that fitting is not
removable. I will also
use synthetic fluid rated for higher temperatures.
Would the steel reinforcing in the current hose mean it could not make a good
seal on the
barbed fitting? The original return line is all rubber.
How much of a temperature drop could I expect in the fluid if I installed a
cooler in the
system? What is the difference in cooling ability of the tube/fin versions with
an electric
fan, tube and fine with no fan, and solid aluminum coolers with no fan but a row
of fins?
How exposed to air movement must these coolers be to be effective? Any
recommendations on a good location?
I considered moving the reservoir to a cooler location but I haven't been able
to find a
location on the bus higher than the power steering pump which will work.
Any advice on how to deal with the problem. I've got the reservoir out, the
suction line
removed and will pull the return line in the near future.