New member - question about power steering

A

andradef

New member
Dec 23, 2019
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Hi fellow GMCers! New member here. I bought a 78 Royale from an estate auction in MN back in September and drove it to FL (after some kind help from Jon Roche and other MN GMCers). After a couple months at Sirum GMC for tuning, new fridge and a long punchlist, we took our first trip this weekend (to a FL state park). Trip was great, she did really well and was very comfortable.

Now my question: toward the end of the return trip I started to hear that typical hissing sound from the power steering and a bit of kicking when turning. I know these are signs that I need a new or rebuilt steering box. However, how urgently do I need to address that? Do the symptoms mean that the power steering will die very soon or do I have some time?

Also, is it possible to drive the coach with a busted steering pump in an emergency or does the steering get so heavy it’s not possible?

Thanks!
Flavio
Deerfield Beach, FL
1978 RB Royale
 
Dumb question; but have you checked the power steering fluid? They growl a lot when they are low. Maybe you will get lucky and just need to replace
a hose or something.

Another possibility is that the windshield wiper motor (if the original hydraulic one) has a filter on it that might be clogged.

You can still steer without steering fluid, but it's pretty difficult. Easier when you are moving.

I haven't heard of a steering box exhibiting the symptoms you are describing. Usually they need a rebuild due to wear and slop. Most PS pumps I have
ever replaced were because of a leak.
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
 
Oh, and welcome to the group. This is the best place to find the answers.

--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
 
Thanks for the reply, Carl.

I have not checked the power steering fluid level, but I will. Hopefully that will solve the problem!

Flavio

>
> Dumb question; but have you checked the power steering fluid? They growl a lot when they are low. Maybe you will get lucky and just need to replace
> a hose or something.
>
> Another possibility is that the windshield wiper motor (if the original hydraulic one) has a filter on it that might be clogged.
>
> You can still steer without steering fluid, but it's pretty difficult. Easier when you are moving.
>
> I haven't heard of a steering box exhibiting the symptoms you are describing. Usually they need a rebuild due to wear and slop. Most PS pumps I have
> ever replaced were because of a leak.
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
> Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
> Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Always check for leaks as fluid does not evaporate like a fart.
Always look at the ground after parking the coach. Red is generally a trans
/PS fluid, green is coolant , brown is engine oil.

On Tue, Dec 24, 2019 at 11:11 AM Flavio Andrade via Gmclist <

> Thanks for the reply, Carl.
>
> I have not checked the power steering fluid level, but I will. Hopefully
> that will solve the problem!
>
> Flavio
>
> > On Dec 23, 2019, at 10:32 PM, Carl Stouffer via Gmclist <

> >
> > Dumb question; but have you checked the power steering fluid? They
> growl a lot when they are low. Maybe you will get lucky and just need to
> replace
> > a hose or something.
> >
> > Another possibility is that the windshield wiper motor (if the original
> hydraulic one) has a filter on it that might be clogged.
> >
> > You can still steer without steering fluid, but it's pretty difficult.
> Easier when you are moving.
> >
> > I haven't heard of a steering box exhibiting the symptoms you are
> describing. Usually they need a rebuild due to wear and slop. Most PS
> pumps I have
> > ever replaced were because of a leak.
> > --
> > Carl Stouffer
> > '75 ex Palm Beach
> > Tucson, AZ.
> > Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive,
> Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American
> Eagles,
> > Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Learn to do these procedures on your own as its too late when the problem
is great.

> Always check for leaks as fluid does not evaporate like a fart.
> Always look at the ground after parking the coach. Red is generally a
> trans /PS fluid, green is coolant , brown is engine oil.
>
>
> On Tue, Dec 24, 2019 at 11:11 AM Flavio Andrade via Gmclist <

>
>> Thanks for the reply, Carl.
>>
>> I have not checked the power steering fluid level, but I will. Hopefully
>> that will solve the problem!
>>
>> Flavio
>>
>> > On Dec 23, 2019, at 10:32 PM, Carl Stouffer via Gmclist <

>> >
>> > Dumb question; but have you checked the power steering fluid? They
>> growl a lot when they are low. Maybe you will get lucky and just need to
>> replace
>> > a hose or something.
>> >
>> > Another possibility is that the windshield wiper motor (if the original
>> hydraulic one) has a filter on it that might be clogged.
>> >
>> > You can still steer without steering fluid, but it's pretty difficult.
>> Easier when you are moving.
>> >
>> > I haven't heard of a steering box exhibiting the symptoms you are
>> describing. Usually they need a rebuild due to wear and slop. Most PS
>> pumps I have
>> > ever replaced were because of a leak.
>> > --
>> > Carl Stouffer
>> > '75 ex Palm Beach
>> > Tucson, AZ.
>> > Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final
>> drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear
>> American Eagles,
>> > Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > GMCnet mailing list
>> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>
>
> --
> Jim Kanomata
> Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
> jimk
> http://www.appliedgmcrvparts.com
> 1-800-752-7502
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
 
So glad to hear it made it camping.

Exactly what Carl Said. Fluid issue and maybe a clogged filter on bottom of wiper motor.

Check fluid and if topping that off does not solve the issue, reach out for additional help. I doubt you have any issue with steering box with the
symptoms you described.
--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
 
You described a low fluid situation. Fill it and find out why it was low, and repair the leak. If filling doesn't correct the problem report back.
As to driving without power steering, it's kind of like driving an elephant around without the trunk to steer. I wouldn't do it... but go to a large
parking lot one Sunday, and start the coach moving and then shut the engine off. You will see what effort is required. Don't do this with anything
close in front, cos the brakes will be without boost.

--johnny
--
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
 
If the fluid is too low, it may have introduced air into the lines. Fill it then drive it turning the wheel back and forth to purge the lines of air.
Do this in an empty parking lot, deserted street, or with the front wheels off the ground. You could do it while standing still but, I believe it puts
too much stress on the front end parts.
--
Patti & Jerry Burt Fresno, CA.
73 Gmc 26' Canyon Lands
77 Palm Beach - Parts Coach
Members: FMCA - GMCMI - GMCWS
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
 
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Applied GMC
Get your shine on at www.cruzingear.co

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