Community Forums

carltonwd · 05-23-2021, 08:42 AM

I am traveling with an elderly couple who are in a 2017 Aspire. I assisted him by backing his coach into a tight spot and it felt like his power steering needed fluid as made nosies similar to a car when the steering is turned hard to either direction. It also feels stiffer to turn then my Cornerstone. I have looked all over for a fluid reservoir and can’t locate one. Any help would be appreciated.

Gary.Jones · 05-23-2021, 09:34 AM

Never wrestled with that problem but I'd suggest running the genny out on his coach and give a good close look around both sides of the compartment,

Gary

Gasman 2 · 05-23-2021, 09:42 AM

You will find the power steering reservoir in the engine compartment. It’s part of the cooling fan drive on a Aspire.
Richard

Gary.Jones · 05-23-2021, 09:46 AM

Now that Richard points it out, guess that it still drives off the Cummins so yet another system with 45' long rubber runs from back to front.

Gary

carltonwd · 05-23-2021, 11:27 AM

Thanks for the help. I will check it out later today.

brobox · 05-23-2021, 12:04 PM

It's the Hydraulic reservoirs on the back of the engine. Large round black. looks like a 1/2 gallon in size with a screw cap on the top. It will have a dip stick attached to the cap. Remove it carefully, they strip out easily because from the engine heat. Move it back and forth carefully to loosen the cap so as not to strip it.

BobG88 · 05-23-2021, 03:36 PM

Chuck is correct. AND, at least IME, techs often forget to replenish the fluid after changing the filter, which definitely affects the power steering performance.

Be sure to use the correct fluid - best place I've found is at O'Reilly's.

BG

LWBAZ · 05-23-2021, 04:10 PM

An Aspire of any vintage and pre-2020 Anthems will have a noticeably heavier steering feel than your Cornerstone. That is because those coaches have a steer axle with a single gearbox, whereas the Cornerstone has a steer axle with two gearboxes.

The single gearbox on the Aspires and pre-2020 Anthems is of course hydraulically assisted, but so are the two gearboxes on the Cornerstone and later Anthems. As such, the Cornerstone's steering has significantly more boost, resulting in significantly less effort required to turn the steering wheel.

How noticeable is the difference? In October of 2019, at NIRVC's Atlanta facility, I had the opportunity to test drive a 2019 Anthem (single steering gearbox) and a 2020 Anthem (two steering gearboxes) back-to-back. The difference wasn't slight, it was significant.

None of that is to suggest you shouldn't check the hydraulic fluid level in your friend's coach. I'm just pointing out that it is perfectly normal for an Aspire to require more effort to turn the steering wheel than is the case with a Cornerstone.

Gary.Jones · 05-23-2021, 05:04 PM

Boy Larry..... you are just becoming an encyclopedia of important information.... why have you been "sandbagging" on us needing important information for so long? I now know who I am going to put on speed dial.

Seriously, thanks for that information.....news to me.

Gary

Hivoltmaint. · 05-23-2021, 05:50 PM

I have an 2018 Aspire. I also had severe steering problems. If fluids are all okay and adding some does not solve the problem, Check this. While parked, with engine running, in neutral with parking brake applied " Can you turn the steering wheel full left to right stop to stop. If not call Spartan and tell them you want it fixed. THERE IS A FIX. This is copied from the Federal Gov. web site, Code of federal regulations, NHTSA.CFR-2010-Title 49-vol6-sec570-60

"(c) Free turning. Steering wheels shall
turn freely through the limit of travel
in both directions.
(1) Inspection procedure. With the engine running on a vehicle with power
steering, or the steerable wheels elevated on a vehicle without power steering, turn the steering wheel through
the limit of travel in both directions.
Feel for binding or jamming in the
steering gear mechanism.

In other words, if the steering wheel is binding at any point when turning full lock to lock, it must be repaired. Federal Rule.

My 2018 Aspire now has 2 gear boxes.

FWIW

LWBAZ · 05-23-2021, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary.Jones

Boy Larry..... you are just becoming an encyclopedia of important information.... why have you been "sandbagging" on us needing important information for so long? I now know who I am going to put on speed dial.

Seriously, thanks for that information.....news to me.

Gary

Gary, it takes me awhile to make this stuff up, then more time to come up with the wording to make it sound believable...

Gasman 2 · 05-24-2021, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hivoltmaint.

I have an 2018 Aspire. I also had severe steering problems. If fluids are all okay and adding some does not solve the problem, Check this. While parked, with engine running, in neutral with parking brake applied " Can you turn the steering wheel full left to right stop to stop. If not call Spartan and tell them you want it fixed. THERE IS A FIX. This is copied from the Federal Gov. web site, Code of federal regulations, NHTSA.CFR-2010-Title 49-vol6-sec570-60

"(c) Free turning. Steering wheels shall

turn freely through the limit of travel

in both directions.

(1) Inspection procedure. With the engine running on a vehicle with power

steering, or the steerable wheels elevated on a vehicle without power steering, turn the steering wheel through

the limit of travel in both directions.

Feel for binding or jamming in the

steering gear mechanism.

In other words, if the steering wheel is binding at any point when turning full lock to lock, it must be repaired. Federal Rule.

My 2018 Aspire now has 2 gear boxes.

FWIW

So tell us how you ended up with two steering gear boxes on your Aspire.

Richard

Gary.Jones · 05-24-2021, 07:21 AM

Larry

You are wise even beyond your years

Gary

Hivoltmaint. · 05-24-2021, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gasman 2

So tell us how you ended up with two steering gear boxes on your Aspire.

Richard

In Pennsylvania, they require an annual safety inspection on all vehicles. This same wording is in their documents for the techs that do the inspections. When I told Spartan I could not drive the vehicle legally in my own state, ( the wheel could only be turned 1/4 in either direction) and when they realized it was a fed requirement, they got together with Reyco Granning and decided to do an upgrade.
Paul