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Old 01-22-2015, 11:20 AM   #1
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Question Power Steering System Service

My coach just had it’s 10th birthday. I take very good care of it to ensure that it lasts me at least another ten years. While we do use it often, we normally camp locally, so it only has 30K on the odometer. That will change next year when my wife joins me in retirement.

I figured it was about time to have the coach’s entire power steering system flushed, due to it’s age. The diesel repair shop that I normally use states it is a 7 hour job and that the service will run at least $1000. That seems awfully high to me. So my question is, how necessary is this service on a 10 year old motorhome, and is this something I can do myself?

Thanks.

Craig
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Old 01-22-2015, 01:31 PM   #2
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Well I’m going to answer my own question here. My good friend Brett Wolfe answered this for me in another forum. I get my engine oil and coolant tested on a regular basis, so why not do the same thing with the power steering fluid?

I also looked up my system in my Freightliner manual and read the procedure for changing the fluid and it seems pretty straightforward. You first must drain the fluid in the reservoir and remove the inline filter. Then you disconnect the line at the front of the chassis. With the front axle off the ground, the manual says one person must turn the steering wheel back and forth to pump out the old fluid, while a helper keeps the reservoir topped off with fresh fluid, until the fluid is completely exchanged.

So again, to answer my own question; have it tested...and yes, the service can be done at home with a helper.

Craig
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Old 01-22-2015, 01:51 PM   #3
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Craig,
Good job of answering your own question. I was going to mention about the same thing. I've simply removed the fluid from the reservoir and then refilled it with new fluid. Run the engine and turn the SW back and forth a few times. Then repeat same procedure until you get mostly clean fluid from the reservoir.

Removing fluid from the line at he bottom of the chassis would probably get fluid from the cylinder more efficiently and probably clean it better.

It's really crazy how they make these somewhat simple jobs seem difficult by charging you $1,000 with 7 hours labor or what ever. I doubt you'd take two hours to do it. But that's how they make their $$$$. I can see a higher cost for some jobs maybe because of the special equipment or tools required but not for this. It's almost as easy as changing engine oil and they don't usually charge you $1,000.

Necessity (and saving a lot of $$$$) is the Mother of invention.

TeJay
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Old 01-22-2015, 02:03 PM   #4
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Craig- I type slow so you have several replies, this may help---

It is DIY, and it is messy. Since you have the freightliner maintenance manual, procedures are detailed in Chapter 46.
Your procedure will be similar to my 2000 Freightliner chassis but check your manual for specifics.

Drain the power steering reservoir by disconnecting the PS reservoir to steering gear hose. AT the RESERVOIR, not up front... Then cap the reservoir port. Put the hose end in a bucket to catch the fluid.
Raise the front end with jacks or stands and fill the reservoir with approved fluid. (Mine takes DEXRON III). Book says-DO NOT START THE ENGINE for this part of the procedure.

3. The system is flushed by continually refilling the reservoir and manually turning the steering wheel lock to lock to pump fluid through the disconnected return line. Don't let the reservoir get empty, you will pull air into the system. When clean fluid comes out of the return line the system is flushed.

Reconnect the hose to the reservoir and fill the reservoir with clean fluid. Now- Start the engine and turn the steering lock to lock looking for bubbles in the fluid. You can feel the action smooth up when all the air is out of the lines. Add fluid if needed. (I've changed mine every 3 years and only one time did I have air in the lines..)

Your chassis probably has a filter in the power steering line, it should be changed when the fluid is flushed. Also the Book cautions not to mix fluid types.

Doing the change by myself, it takes about an hour and a half, a lot of which is spent turning the steering wheel and walking back to refill the tank. At seven hours, your guy is taking a lot of coffee breaks...
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Old 01-22-2015, 02:11 PM   #5
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Thumbs up

Quote:
Originally Posted by TeJay View Post
Necessity (and saving a lot of $$$$) is the Mother of invention.
Amen!



Quote:
Originally Posted by Hooligan View Post
Craig- I type slow so you have several replies, this may help---
It certainly does, I am printing out your reply to save it for future use. Thanks Hooligan!

Craig
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