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BC1948 · 06-18-2022, 06:16 PM

Fleetwood Southwind power steering reservoir is full. Power steering not working. No noise from pump. How can I check check for problems? Any help is appreciated. It's a 1991 Fleetwood Southwind on a P30 with chevy 454cid.

1972VWbus · 06-18-2022, 08:14 PM

First thing to check...

Do you have the belt on?

Look underneath there is a (2) belts that go around the PS pump.

donr103 · 06-18-2022, 08:43 PM

Do you still have power brakes ? Google hydroboost or you tube
Good luck and keep us posted

BC1948 · 09-06-2022, 07:41 PM

sorry it ha taken me so long to get back to this. Family emergency took priority.
Yes the belt it on and tight. do not see two belts. no to the power brakes working. full of fluid. When I drove it there was absolutely no power steering and not a sound from the belt nor pump. No brakes to speak of. Drove like a tank. This RV sat for years without being moved and I doubt it started and ran for years. So things may well be gummed up.
I am thinking about pulling the steering lined and seeing if the pump works. Then checking the steering box. I have the time and tools. But any useful advice is more than welcomed.

donr103 · 09-06-2022, 09:01 PM

So just guessing here.. you have an emergency or parking brake peddle in addition to regular brake peddle.. 1st thing is.. do you have auto park system ? .. I don't know.. because I don't know.. I am concerned for your safety and safety of others.. so you must chock all wheels.. rv could roll away and cause significant damage or injury.. so be careful.. chock all wheels until you find out what you are dealing with..

So.. the p/s pump is not like on a car.. the p/s pump is a hydraulic pump.. that does a lot more than just power steering.. it also uses hydraulic fluid to give you power brakes.. so hit you tube and look up gm hydroboost system.. and watch a few vids..

Now you need to look in workhorse section.. important discussions sub section.. an then down to auto park system.. and read.. also hit website autopark.com and read.. because the hydraulic pump on some rv.. powers the parking brake.. it depends on the model.. but it's up to you to investigate.. so chock all wheels until you find out..
Because the rv is too heavy.. the transmission does not have a parking pawl in trans.. so when you put in park.. a brake drum on drive shaft mounted on back of trans to keep rv from rolling.. it's not like a car.. and you just may have one that also uses the p/s pump to power the parking brake.. I don't know.. so just chock all wheels until you find out.. now members here will rightfully correct me.. and say.. when rv is off the brake will automatically engage .. but if it's been sitting and po neglected auto park system.. then the parking brake shoes may be shot.. this could kill you or someone else.. so you must be on safe side.. chock all wheels... all the time.. .

Po neglected rv and gave up on it because did not bother to maintain 3 dependant sub systems.. p/s.. hydroboost.. and auto park system.. on many old rv these systems use what you call p/s pump and use complex hydraulic valves to route the pressure where it's needed.. if po would have reached out to the many great and valuable members here.. they would have helped them to break it all down and make a great repairs..

So chock all wheels.. all the time.. I know you are tired of hearing that.. but no fear.. it seems like a lot.. but there are some very great members here for help.. and you will get some great opinions.. be careful.. almost no shops left with old timers to repair auto park system.. but.. parts are very available and easy with elbow grease to fix..
Good luck and keep us posted