Power steering fluid

pennuja · 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.

akroyaleagle · September 26, 2014, 05:31:04 PM

I think most of us use ATF.

pennuja · September 26, 2014, 05:35:20 PM

That is what I thought but I was afraid to put in the wrong thing.

eagle19952 · 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

luvrbus · 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

eagle19952 · 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...

akroyaleagle · 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.

luvrbus · 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

bevans6 · September 27, 2014, 01:18:22 PM

I just use 30 weight engine oil. I think it was a 10W-30. MCI.

Brian

pennuja · September 27, 2014, 02:42:26 PM

Thanks guys!

wildbob24 · 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

pennuja · 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.

TomC · 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

Purplewillie · September 28, 2014, 09:09:28 AM

I have to ask...what happens when a Sheppard system is run with atf.
Mark

pennuja · 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?