BCM Community

Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: chart1 on April 09, 2011, 01:48:09 PM

Title: Steering is growling on MCI8
Post by: chart1 on April 09, 2011, 01:48:09 PM
My steering is growling all the time it only used to do it at low RPM but now doing all the time. Is it the power steering pump not putting enough pressure or is it the gear box? This is on a MCI 8 ... The power steering is working just very noisy.
Title: Re: Steering is growling on MCI8
Post by: Lin on April 09, 2011, 02:43:26 PM
Is this hydraulic assist or integral?   
Title: Re: Steering is growling on MCI8
Post by: buswarrior on April 09, 2011, 03:10:44 PM
Fluid level?

Foaming?

happy coaching!
buswarrior
Title: Re: Steering is growling on MCI8
Post by: luvrbus on April 09, 2011, 03:15:44 PM
Cory, you have probably lost the flex coupling between the engine drive gear and the pump

good luck
Title: Re: Steering is growling on MCI8
Post by: chart1 on April 09, 2011, 03:19:08 PM
It is hydraulic power assist. The fluid level is full,  but foamy.
Cliff, If I lost the flex coupling would I still have power steering?
Title: Re: Steering is growling on MCI8
Post by: luvrbus on April 09, 2011, 03:24:00 PM
yep

good luck
Title: Re: Steering is growling on MCI8
Post by: chart1 on April 09, 2011, 03:28:42 PM
ok I will pull it off tomorrow and check it out.
Title: Re: Steering is growling on MCI8
Post by: gus on April 09, 2011, 09:23:17 PM
This is very interesting since mine does the same thing, mostly when cold though.

How can you still have PS if the pump has no drive??

Title: Re: Steering is growling on MCI8
Post by: bevans6 on April 10, 2011, 04:31:06 AM
The flex coupling is a flat disc with four slots in it that engages two ears on the accessory drive and two ears on the pump.  If it fails, the drive ears still hit the pump ears, just without the coupling to cushion the drive.

Can't you tell if the growling sound is coming from the front of the bus and the steering gear/ram, or the back of the bus and the pump area?

Brian
Title: Re: Steering is growling on MCI8
Post by: JackConrad on April 10, 2011, 06:07:37 AM
Quote from: chart1 on April 09, 2011, 03:19:08 PM
It is hydraulic power assist. The fluid level is full,  but foamy.
Cliff, If I lost the flex coupling would I still have power steering?

If it is foamy, sounds like air in the system.  MCI procedure to clear all air from system is to jack up front wheels (so no load when turning), start engine and turn steering wheel lock to lock a specific number of times (I forget that number). Do not hold the steering wheeel in the full lock position.  Jack
Title: Re: Steering is growling on MCI8
Post by: robertglines1 on April 10, 2011, 07:06:51 AM
filter,wrong oil or mixed types of oil.
Title: Re: Steering is growling on MCI8
Post by: luvrbus on April 10, 2011, 07:10:43 AM
Most foaming is caused by cavitation problems with the pump


good luck
Title: Re: Steering is growling on MCI8
Post by: gus on April 11, 2011, 12:24:17 PM
What is the proper way to clear air from a Sheppard conversion, is it the same as with the original power boost system?