Power Steering Question

luvrbus · September 01, 2011, 04:05:16 PM

Guys, you should get all the info you need from this site they have the TRW books you can download free I tried to scan mine and post it for you, this scanning and posting sucks for a old guy

http://phoenixex.com/technical-information

good luck

luvrbus · September 01, 2011, 04:30:45 PM

Those guys are in Dallas they also will help you solve a problem over the phone not PM's

good luck

biff · September 01, 2011, 05:22:38 PM

Just a thought did you check the filters? theres two.

JackConrad · September 01, 2011, 05:42:37 PM

Quote from: biff on September 01, 2011, 05:22:38 PM
Just a thought did you check the filters? theres two.

I have not checked the filters, but everything was working with the OEM system, just more play than I felt comfortable with. After installing the used Ross steering gearbox the problem began. Jack

Mex-Busnut · September 01, 2011, 07:12:19 PM

I was beginning to get a little jealous about you guys with power steering on your coaches, but then after just two months with our bus that has no power steering, look at my awesome physique!

Kirby-XL40-FL · September 01, 2011, 07:52:50 PM

Jack, you might recall that I have a Ross integral steering box from an MCI-9 on my 4104. I had to put a 2000 psi relief valve in my Vickers pump. It steers real good now, almost easy.

Kaptar, the key is getting the Ross integral steering box, from an MCI 96A2 which is axle-mount. Because I could only find one from an MCI-9 (not a 96A2) I had to fabricate a half-inch steel plate and attach it to the axle, and then mounted the steering box on the plate.

Hope this helps.

Kirby-XL40-FL · September 01, 2011, 07:55:02 PM

Hmm... didn't mean to underline everything... the underline got out from underneath me. Just wanted to underline the word "integral".

kaptar · September 07, 2011, 12:18:52 PM

Kirby thanks for the help. I'm going to try to find the Ross numbers for these MCI boxes to see if they came in any other vehicles to make my search easier. Thanks again...Harry

JackConrad · September 13, 2011, 03:53:17 PM

Problem solved!!!!
I replaced the 1000 PSI pressure relief valve with a 2000 PSI relief valve and steering is easy enough that I can turn the steering wheel with a couple fingers with the bus sitting still.
After installing the higher pressure valve, I found that the poppett valves were already correctly adjusted. Gauge shows 1800 PSI when turning with the bus sitting still and drops off considerably when the poppett valve opens, as the wheels reach full turn.

Thanks for all the help, Jack

luvrbus · September 13, 2011, 04:05:43 PM

Question for you Jack how were you getting 1300 lbs with a 1000 lb relief valve or was that Tom with the 1300 lbs lot of the tour operator that don't do much city driving like the lower pressure for the highway driving I removed 2000 lbs valves and replaced with a 1500 lb valve,the mountain,snow and ice drivers just like a little assist they prefer not to have easy power steering but snow and ice driving is not a problem in FL lol glad you made it work

good luck

JackConrad · September 14, 2011, 05:28:17 AM

Quote from: luvrbus on September 13, 2011, 04:05:43 PM
Question for you Jack how were you getting 1300 lbs with a 1000 lb relief valve or was that Tom with the 1300 lbs lot of the tour operator that don't do much city driving like the lower pressure for the highway driving I removed 2000 lbs valves and replaced with a 1500 lb valve,the mountain,snow and ice drivers just like a little assist they prefer not to have easy power steering but snow and ice driving is not a problem in FL lol glad you made it work
good luck

Must have been Tom that was getting 1300, I was showing 1100 on the gauge with the 1000 PSI relief valve. I felt that the old gauge could have been off 100 PSI. Hope I never have to drive our bus in snow or ice. Our policy is "frost 3 mornings in a row, head further south" LOL Jack

tomhamrick · September 14, 2011, 05:50:01 AM

I was getting 1200 pounds before I fixed mine. What I have is the Eaton B model pump that has the pressure relief valve outside of the front mounted resevoir. Jerry Jefferson's pump rebuilder advised me to take the 1 inch plug off the holds the valve and place a 1/32 thick washer inside the plug. This makes the spring harder to compress and increased my pressure to 1800 pounds. I also can now turn mine while sitting still. Cheap fix. The rebuilder also said that doing this on the Eaton B pump would shorten the life of the pump, but no more that I drive it will last forever.
Tom Hamrick
1984 Eagle 10S

luvrbus · September 14, 2011, 06:04:05 AM

Tom, fwiw I drove my Eagle with a B pump set at 1950 lbs for 20 years with no problem and Matt is still racking up the miles on the bus same pump bunch of Eagle guys had the B pump and still running without trouble

good luck

tomhamrick · September 14, 2011, 10:38:09 AM

Thank Clifford! That is good to know.
Tom Hamrick

luvrbus · September 14, 2011, 10:47:22 AM

Tom. everyone has a choice but I like the B pump they are gear driven and you don't worry about losing the flex coupling or a fork like on a Vickers then if they leak it is to the outside not into the engine

good luck