Squeaky Steering Column anyone?

[Old Scout]

The steering column on our 2003 always squeaked a bit when turning corners so finally took the plastic cover off the steering column[inside coach] to see why. Found out the rubber gasket that seals the column at the floor was dry and dirty. A little slide seal conditioner, a swipe with a clean cloth and a squirt of silicon spray--no more squeak.

PS--you might be able to reach the seal from underneath; however, once you go to all the trouble of taking the column cover off--you can grease the fitting on the upper u-joint of the steering column that nobody told us about.

[Old Scout]

The steering column on our 2003 always squeaked a bit when turning corners so finally took the plastic cover off the steering column[inside coach] to see why. Found out the rubber gasket that seals the column at the floor was dry and dirty. A little slide seal conditioner, a swipe with a clean cloth and a squirt of silicon spray--no more squeak.

PS--you might be able to reach the seal from underneath; however, once you go to all the trouble of taking the column cover off--you can grease the fitting on the upper u-joint of the steering column that nobody told us about.

[Gary M. Smith]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Reply </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Old Scout
Thanks for this tip. My co-pilot has complained about squeaking when I turn a sharp radius. I'm focused on where the coach is going, so don't pay too much attention to squeaking. I'll check it out next time we're out of storage and going somewheres.

[Old Scout]

Gary, in truth there are probably two noises that originate from the steering column: 1) is the aforementioned squeaky gasket, and 2) many of the older coaches seem to have some squawk when you get close to the terminal points of the turning radius. The second noise source many have something to do with using hydraulic fluid in the pump vs motor oil. Ive heard the noise is less pronounces in new coaches that use motor oil as fluid.....

[Jeff and Cheryl]

Old Scout,

Thank-you for the explaination. I've noticed that squalk from the first time behind the wheel. The guy I bought my coach from told me he had checked into it and was assured that it was to be expected. He was very through with his maintainance so figured he knew what he was talking about. Last fall I had the coach in for service and the servicer mentioned the squalk. When I told him what the previous owner said, he looked at me like I had just declared the world was FLAT !! So... 1 less thing to worry about.

Jeff
'98 Alpine
36'FDS

[Gary M. Smith]

Old Scout,
Do you know if there are any fluid-seal compatibility issues between the older coaches with hydraulic fluid vs. newer coaches with motor oil? Maybe newer coaches have Viton seals?

[Old Scout]

Cant say--I just assumed us older coach owners were stuck with hydraulic fluid and never considered what it might take to move to motor oil...dean

[Gary M. Smith]

Old Scout,
You are probably right! Use the Ann Landers Rule of Everything: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" Or, as the late Dr. Jack "Cactus Jack" Powers, Dean of Mechanical Engineering at Texas Tech used to say, "It has something to do with the inherent cussedness of inantimate objects!"

I think I'll just stick with hydraulic fluid.

[andye]

The short the best fix could be. (pull lever (A) then lever be.