steering box

[Gregory OConnor]

If Curt has the cure for the box issue maybe it would be prudent to
have the shop replace all the 14 bolts and nuts (or 7 of the 14)
with larger diamater bolts. maybe go to the next larger size in
metric (may involve less drilling). It would not be a matter of the
mounts and joints lifting. the play would show up in a slide between
flat ajoining surfaces. Curts theory: Several slides would have to
be overcome each time the box's pitman arm changes direction. You
can test for this fault with a Dial indicator
http://www.dialindicator.com/custom_gage_photos.php
or just placing your thumb on the frame up against the steering
mounts and having someone turn the wheel back and forth. the center
of the mounts may show less movement than the four ends as the plate
twists (there should be no movement). Doing this on hot asphalt may
be best as the smooth shop floor will give little turn resistance.
It may be more evident with the rear jacks lifting up the ass. At
the same time input to the box by the steeringwheel should be
evident right away with equal movement at the pinion arm of the box
(that is the play they can adjust with the wrench). I dont
understand " tight spot" as a result of adjusting the box play???
unless they think the gear in the box is worn at the idle mating
surfaces only???? At any event, if wear at the box is the repair,
you still have to find out why it failed once again in only
20K. "box damage may be a result"

If that bolts proves to be at fault, you are at the wrong shop.

One other point to look at is the PS boil over issue the FC crowd
(ForeverCatipillar) has. I often wonder if it is not boiling PS
fluid as much as it is air making its way to the PSpump and
expanding the volume of fluid to the point thet the air pushes the
fluid out the resevoir???? If you get air in hydrolic fluid, the
thing the fluid is moving will have a lag. you can not compress a
volumn of fluid but you can compress air to the point that it
displaces. air would have to build up pressure at each direction
change. If the steering gets worse while you drive, air may be an
issue????? air gets in at return lines or supply lines. those lines
have suction and dont show leaks and never get changed with pressure
lines because they dont have the outward appearance of needing leak
repair.

Folks dont realize how much stress is placed on steering components
when they make a stationary turn (not rolling while changing
direction of your wheels). Watch a commercial driver make a K turn.
at the end of forward movement, the wheels are redirected to that
required for the reverse movement.

GregoryO'Connor
94pt
RomolandCa


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Curt Sprenger"
wrote:
>
> John,
>
> Ask the shop to get under the bus and tighten up about 13 or 14
> bolt/nuts...the ones that hold the plate(s) assemble (starting at
the coach
> frame) that the steering box is bolted. Many of us have done that
and have
> reduced steering play. I did that on our previous 'Bird, 1974, and
that took
> care of about 80 percents of the play (free travel). A visual
inspection of
> those bolts/nuts is not good enough. They will look tight when
they are not.
> They need to put wrenches on them and tighten them. The steering
box can
> also be tightened up to the plate assemble.
>
>
> On Sun, Aug 24, 2008 at 1:10 AM, bubblerboy64 wrote:
>
> > My bus is in the shop as we speak sorting our suspension and
handling
> > issues. The fellows have told me that they have things in pretty
> > good order but are concerned about some "free travel" which they
have
> > traced to the steering box. Now here is the issue. This steering
box
> > was a rebuilt box which the previous owner replaced about 20K
miles
> > ago. (The previous owner said this greatly improved the
handling.)
> > The guys are telling me that my options are to live with this
free
> > travel or get another remanufactured steering box. My concern is
> > that I might get another only to find its no better then the one
I
> > have now. My fellows are also not really familiar with BB's and I
> > wonder if they are expection the impossible with this old FC? Any
> > suggestions or tricks which I might pass on to the shop. They did
> > say there was some type of adjustment that they were going to
try to
> > make but it was "tricky" if they went just a little too far then
the
> > steering would potentially have a tight spot or a hitch in it.(
I may
> > not have that exactly right as to their discription but you
likely
> > get the point. They said what they were going to adjust but that
> > didn't stick in the ole knoggin) The shop works on RV's and heavy
> > equipment and is very well respected. They don't see a lot of
BB'ds
> > so if there is any thing I can pass along they are more then
willing
> > for my information.
> >
> > John Heckman
> > central Pa
> > 1973 FC
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Curt Sprenger
> 1987 PT38 8V92 "MacAttack Racing"
> Anaheim Hills, CA
>