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Steering Education
I need some education on the steering of these things. The learning curve on my bus has been huge the last five years. Just when I think I am about to understand one small part of it, I need to learn something completely different to keep going. I guess that is part of the fun, right?
My wife usually pulls in and out of the spots that we park in. She says it is much easier to follow my directions than to let me drive and understand all she needs to see and communicate it to me. She does a great job and it works for us. We seldom park in simple spots since we are in church parking lots most of the time. She did about a 10 point turn to get us out of a bind last Saturday. That was close.
She was pulling out of a place this winter and it was really, really cold outside. (I know I should be in the south in the winter but that is another problem.) When I went inside she said the steering sounded and felt “funny.” She could not describe it, it was just “funny.” When I sat down to drive, everything was normal. No unusual sounds. I thought that maybe the fluid in the steering was super cold and now was warm.
Everything was fine until yesterday. My wife was driving and I was directing her as she backed up to our trailer. When I would have her turn the wheel I would hear noises back by the engine. The engine was running of course so I can not really describe it any better than that. I tried getting closer and having her turn the wheel but the engine noise drove the sound out completely. She said it sounded “funny” again up front too.
Educate me. I do not know the first thing about how the steering works. Is the cause of the problem obvious to those of you in the know? What do I check first and where do I check it?
Thanks ahead of time.
DKO
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15 Replies
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First thing I would check is the power steering fluid.
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Power steering fluid level. Would cause the problem you describe. Don’t remember which side it is on your engine; but look for a small tank with a cap on top. safe bussin.. Bob
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If you’re hearing noises from the engine compartment, could also be the hydraulic steering pump.
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Pumps make noise when low on fluid sometimes, most times really. Could be the pump by itself too.
Any leaks?
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It could be the spacer broke between the 2 clogs(the pump and the drive) when that happpens they do make some racket
good luck
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Thanks for the input, folks. I can not readily see a tank for power steering fluid. Is this the pump?
It is just to the right of the main pulling and it has two hoses, one bigger than the other, going up the the passenger side of the motor headed toward the front.
Here is the plate.
And two close ups…
Left side of plate…
Right side of plate…
Please remember I am starting from zero knowledge on this.
Thanks,
DKO
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That’s the pump. Look for a black cylinder about 6 or 7″ in diameter with a slightly conical top. That’s the reservoir. You need to be checking the power steering fluid level there.
It will be in your engine compartment somewhere. It was in a different spot on each of my three coaches so I won’t guess where yours might be located. Look for a braided blue hose coming out the bottom.
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This It?
Here is the top of it.
If this is it, am I correct in assuming that means Dexron transmission fluid? Recommendations? I did not mess with it, just took pictures. Is that a dip stick? Any instructions on filling it?
Thanks again,
DKO
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Just take cap off should be a dip stick attached to it. Fill to level. Doesn’t look like it has been disturbed for awhile. Bob
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Thanks, Bob, No, it is dusty. I figured they filled the steering fluid at oil changes. Fill with Dexron?
DKO
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Right on, DKO.
The fluid level is checked at the cap with the T handle. If you are doing maintenance, the cap is removeable and inside is a filter. I have changed my power steering filter about once every 10 years. Not a big deal.
Transmission fluid is what is used however I remember from somewhere that at one time a multi-viscosity motor oil was also acceptable and it was beneficial in minimizing the squeal associated with having the steering wheel turned all the way. That needs to be verified. I think Marathon was doing that?
Anybody capable of verifying that? Until verified I would stick with Dextron.
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Attached to cap should be a ck level stick with marks on it. Should make sense when you see it. If it’s red should be DExtron. Bob
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Our 2000 Royale Ps tank has a tag that states 10-40 Oil put over the factory tag that states Dexton. In 7years of ownership have added very little and have used 10-40 oil
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Thanks Larry. Unless and until an owner has something to the contrary to indicate the power steering should have other than Dextron, stick with it.
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I bought two quarts. I had no idea how much I might need. The dipstick was almost dry. It was barely wet on the bottom. I was putting it in slowly because I did not know the size of the reservoir. The first few ounces brought it up to the add line and a quart brought it to about nearly full.
I am planning to drive about 250 miles tomorrow night. I will check it after the trip. I figure that since it was pretty low the system may take the reservoir down some more.
Thanks,
DKO
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