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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: pennuja on September 26, 2014, 05:06:16 PM

Title: Power steering fluid
Post by: pennuja on September 26, 2014, 05:06:16 PM
What kind of fluid should I put in my 4104's power steering, I looked in the manuals but I could not find it. If it matters the pump says vicker on it.
Title: Re: Power steering fluid
Post by: akroyaleagle on September 26, 2014, 05:31:04 PM
I think most of us use ATF.
Title: Re: Power steering fluid
Post by: pennuja on September 26, 2014, 05:35:20 PM
That is what I thought but I was afraid to put in the wrong thing.
Title: Re: Power steering fluid
Post by: eagle19952 on September 26, 2014, 06:16:22 PM
Quote from: pennuja on September 26, 2014, 05:35:20 PM
That is what I thought but I was afraid to put in the wrong thing.

DO NOT USE DEXRON...THE 4104 WILL HATE YOU....SEE BELOW...SORRY...

any TES-389 FLUID....aka DEXRON III

http://www.allisontransmission.com/parts-service/approved-fluids/on-highway-fluids (http://www.allisontransmission.com/parts-service/approved-fluids/on-highway-fluids)
Title: Re: Power steering fluid
Post by: luvrbus on September 26, 2014, 09:07:14 PM
You don't use Dexron or ATF in a Shepperd unit in a GM they use hyd or engine oil it should tell you in section 16 it is not compatible for that system where are all the GM people at when you need one  ;D 
Title: Re: Power steering fluid
Post by: eagle19952 on September 26, 2014, 09:41:39 PM
oops....you are right i have eagle on the brain...so does Joe....
in Alaska we switched almost everything to 0w30 syn.....hydraulics, engines, planetarys you name it....but not the 2 strokes...
Title: Re: Power steering fluid
Post by: akroyaleagle on September 27, 2014, 12:37:45 PM
I guess I didn't know the difference. Sorry! I've never used anything other than ATF i mine.
Title: Re: Power steering fluid
Post by: luvrbus on September 27, 2014, 12:41:24 PM
ATF is all I ever used my Eagle but I didn't have the Sheppard system it was a Ross
Title: Re: Power steering fluid
Post by: bevans6 on September 27, 2014, 01:18:22 PM
I just use 30 weight engine oil.  I think it was a 10W-30.  MCI.

Brian
Title: Re: Power steering fluid
Post by: pennuja on September 27, 2014, 02:42:26 PM
Thanks guys!
Title: Re: Power steering fluid
Post by: wildbob24 on September 27, 2014, 04:47:00 PM
Jim,

Since you've been given conflicting answers here, before you add any fluid, you need to determine which steering system you have. The original power steering on your bus used a hydraulic cylinder mounted parallel to the front axle to assist with steering. The Sheppard System is a modification many owners have done that replaces the cylinder and the axle mounted steering gear with an integral steering gear. If you look up under the front of your bus you'll either see the cylinder with the hoses running to it, or the steering gear with the hoses running to it. Both systems use a Vickers pump, although the original 4104 pump has the reservoir mounted directly on it and the Sheppard pump has a remote reservoir.

The original system uses ATF, which info you'll find at the end of section 13 in your manual. The Sheppard system, as Clifford indicates, uses motor oil. The specs call for 10w40, but the 40w engine seems to work just fine.

Bob
Title: Re: Power steering fluid
Post by: pennuja on September 27, 2014, 04:54:42 PM
Thanks bob I appreciate  you letting me know which to use, I will check it out when I get my bus back.
Title: Re: Power steering fluid
Post by: TomC on September 28, 2014, 08:00:18 AM
With my Vickers pump and Sheppard power steering, I use 15W-40 engine oil. It still will whine when cold, but runs well when warmed up. After nearly 10 years, the oil still looks new (only about 40,000mi). Good Luck, TomC
Title: Re:
Post by: Purplewillie on September 28, 2014, 09:09:28 AM
I have to ask...what happens when a Sheppard system is run with atf.
Mark
Title: Re:
Post by: pennuja on September 28, 2014, 07:43:24 PM
Quote from: Purplewillie on September 28, 2014, 09:09:28 AM
I have to ask...what happens when a Sheppard system is run with atf.
Mark

I am curios about this as well, I do not know what is in mine and I am thinking it might be best to drain it and start fresh so I know for sure what is in there.

Is there a easy way to drain it?
Title: Re: Power steering fluid
Post by: luvrbus on September 28, 2014, 07:48:22 PM
I have no idea the book on Shepperd just says it is not compatible with the system probably the o-rings and seals
Title: Re: Power steering fluid
Post by: eagle19952 on September 28, 2014, 07:49:16 PM
what color is the fluid that you have now...Dexron is red.
Title: Re: Power steering fluid
Post by: Lin on September 29, 2014, 02:59:03 PM
I have hydraulic assist steering.  When I first got the bus, it was low on fluid and I put ATF in without doing any research.  I have since heard that other options would be better, but since this works without any noticeable issues, I have just left it as is.

We installed an integral system on my last bus.  I think the box was Saginaw with a Ross pump.  We put ATF in it and it did work but there was always a hum coming from the box.  I was told that replacing the ATF with hydraulic fluid or motor oil would do away with the hum.  I never got around to trying it though since once underway, you could not hear the hum anyway.  Just to be clear, the hum was not from air in the system.
Title: Re: Power steering fluid
Post by: John Z on September 30, 2014, 09:40:42 AM
Congrats wildbob24. Your post may be the best I have seen on here in a long while. Good practical "how to do it" advice, simply written and completely understandable. Thanks.
Title: Re: Power steering fluid
Post by: sdc53 on September 30, 2014, 10:32:06 PM
My 4107 has ATF in it. I had read that sheppard didn't like ATF, but I don't know if I have a sheppard unit.  Do the comments above apply to 4107's as well?  I'm pretty sure I have a box with an arm coming out of it under there for the steering.