Broke down in Davenport - blown power steering line

[richard5933]

I can see that happening, especially one which has seen lots of weather extremes. So far what I've been able to check on mine has been flexible and in good shape. Of course, it's the one you can get to or don't know about that's going to fail, as evidenced by my fun in Davenport. (Got to stay out of Iowa!)

As a rule, I turn disconnect the chassis batteries as part of my setting camp procedures. I have no need for them to be connected when we're camping, and I figure that it removes quite a bit of risk to have the chassis system shut down.

[chessie4905]

Yes, I checked on the one he is scrapping and the power steering line is copper the whole way through. I`m still surprised that copper would stand the pressure without eventual fatigue, but they it works! There are two steel lines in the chase for the fuel system. The rest are copper.

[richard5933]

Would be nice to have a chance to talk with the engineers that worked on the design of these buses. I'd love to ask why things are the way they are, why they chose this vs. that, etc.

We think of the copper as being lessor than the steel, but since they used it in many of the old buses there must have been a reason. Not sure we're going to find out what that reason is.

[Utahclaimjumper]

Copper does not "work harden" as quickly as steel to the point of failure.>>>Dan

[richard5933]

First trip out after the repair was redone. Now that the correct oil is in PS system, the whine noise is gone.

Steering seems okay, but there is a faint metallic noise from the PS pump area which I don't remember from before all this. I'm thinking that whatever damage caused the metal particles to be found are the cause of the noise.

Luke is still searching for a replacement. Once he finds the best option, it will be replaced during our end of season maintenance appointment after Blytheville.

Anything I should be watching for other than the noise getting louder?