Unsuccessful Rescue

S

sean kidd

New member
Aug 14, 2012
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I spent the day Sunday helping a new GMC owner in NJ rescue a 1976 Eleganza. PO never had it for 6 years, performed some upgrades such as greasable
front bearings, timing chain, carb rebuild, etc. but never drove it anywhere. It runs well, however 6 or 7 miles into the return trip, the steering
box started leaking out the input shaft. Quickly drained the reservoir. I believe the top jam nut is actually for adjustable tension...can the seal
be replaced in the field?

--
Sean and Stephanie
73 Ex-CanyonLands 26' #317 "Oliver"
Hubler 1-Ton, Quad-Bags, Rear Disc, Reaction Arms, P.Huber TBs, 3.70:1 LSD Honda 6500 inverter gen.

Colonial Travelers
 
Could the screen filter in the hydraulic windshield wiper be clogged (causing back pressure)?
--
Bill Wevers GMC49ers, GMC Western States
1975 Glenbrook - Manny Powerdrive, OneTon
455 F Block, G heads
San Jose
 
> I spent the day Sunday helping a new GMC owner in NJ rescue a 1976 Eleganza. PO had it for 6 years, performed some upgrades such as greasable
> front bearings, timing chain, carb rebuild, etc. but never drove it anywhere. It runs well, however 6 or 7 miles into the return trip, the steering
> box started leaking out the input shaft. Quickly drained the reservoir. I believe the top jam nut is actually for adjustable tension...can the
> seal be replaced in the field?
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6323/medium/IMG_2044.JPG
I will ask the collective: Can the steering wheel be turned well enough that it would make sense to cut the belt and drive home?
--
73 23' Sequoia 4 Sale
73 23' CanyonLands Parts Unit 4 Sale
Upper Alabama
"Every day I become more convinced that I am the only person left on the planet that recognizes nonsense for what it is."
 
I lost the power steering on my coach and was able to drive it for several hundred miles. Granted it takes quite a bit more muscle and you want to make sure that the coach is rolling when you attempt to steer it.

Sent from my iPhone
Nelson Wright
78 Royal

Orlando Fl.

>

>> I spent the day Sunday helping a new GMC owner in NJ rescue a 1976 Eleganza. PO had it for 6 years, performed some upgrades such as greasable
>> front bearings, timing chain, carb rebuild, etc. but never drove it anywhere. It runs well, however 6 or 7 miles into the return trip, the steering
>> box started leaking out the input shaft. Quickly drained the reservoir. I believe the top jam nut is actually for adjustable tension...can the
>> seal be replaced in the field?
>> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6323/medium/IMG_2044.JPG
> I will ask the collective: Can the steering wheel be turned well enough that it would make sense to cut the belt and drive home?
> --
> 73 23' Sequoia 4 Sale
> 73 23' CanyonLands Parts Unit 4 Sale
> Upper Alabama
> "Every day I become more convinced that I am the only person left on the planet that recognizes nonsense for what it is."
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Some Lucas transmission fix will soften the seals and may stop the leak well enough to keep going down the road.
Both the shaft seal and case seal require removal of the steering shaft, don't know about accessibility in the coach. I replaced the seal in my
Firebird with the box mounted in the car, but there were no outer or inner fenders on the car at the time.
As far as cutting the belt, mine got loose one time and I was barely able to get turned around in the driveway. Way too much strain on the steering
column and steering box if the front wheels are not rolling. Driving on the highway will be manageable, but not really a safe practice because the
steering response is so slow that the coach will not make any emergency maneuvers.
--
Terry Kelpien

ASE Master Technician

73 Glacier 260

Smithfield, Va.
 
If the wiper filter is obstructed, the seal sometimes will leak while still
good. Cleaning the filter will remove the obstruction. If the shaft is
loose to the point of wobble, the steering box needs rebuilt. If it is only
the seal, then the intermediate shafts can be removed, the seal replaced
with the steering box in place, provided some IDIOT has not obstructed it
with an extra battery tray or junk shelf. You can tell by opening the
drivers side hatch and taking a look see. Worst to worse, you can remove
the headlight and grill, and leave the steering box in place.
Jim Hupy

> From what I have read, the upper seal is an easy fix. ??
>
> Read here:
>
> http://www.gmceast.com/technical/Wirth_GMCMH_Steering_Box.pdf
>
>
> https://m.advanceautoparts.com/p/powercraft-steering-
> gear-input-shaft-seal-kit-7095/3865282-P
>
>
> I have never worked on it. So above info is from internet, not any
> personal verified experience.
>
>
> --
> Jon Roche
> 75 palm beach
> St. Cloud, MN
> http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Thank you all, The seal is actually in stock locally, and I will be able to help her out along with another local GMC'er Scott...thank you Scott for
helping Vonda and letter her use your property until we can get the repair done. The camaraderie here never ceases to amaze me.

--
Sean and Stephanie
73 Ex-CanyonLands 26' #317 "Oliver"
Hubler 1-Ton, Quad-Bags, Rear Disc, Reaction Arms, P.Huber TBs, 3.70:1 LSD Honda 6500 inverter gen.

Colonial Travelers
 
I did mine a little over a year ago. A little tight but the problem I had was finding something to drive the seal into place without damaging it. I
ended up making a driver out of some round nylon/plastic I had laying around. Wood would have worked I'm sure but I do have a lathe. You might get a
piece of dowel stock from the lumber store and center drill it to go over the steering box shaft.
Hal
--
1977 Royale 101348,

1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,

1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout
 
Great idea, looks like 3/4 or 13/16 should fit fine...
--
Sean and Stephanie
73 Ex-CanyonLands 26' #317 "Oliver"
Hubler 1-Ton, Quad-Bags, Rear Disc, Reaction Arms, P.Huber TBs, 3.70:1 LSD Honda 6500 inverter gen.

Colonial Travelers
 
I replaced mine on the coach a couple of years ago. It was a simple job. I dreaded doing it and when I finally tackled it, the job turned out to be
an easy one.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
Does the large hex nut need to come off? And seal is below?
--
Sean and Stephanie
73 Ex-CanyonLands 26' #317 "Oliver"
Hubler 1-Ton, Quad-Bags, Rear Disc, Reaction Arms, P.Huber TBs, 3.70:1 LSD Honda 6500 inverter gen.

Colonial Travelers
 
No. The steering shaft comes off and the seal goes below it. I do not remember much except I seem to remember removing one steering box mounting
bolt. I know that I did not remove the box from the coach.

Check Gene's GMC site. Maybe there are some instructions there.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
If I remember correctly I pulled all but one of the mounting bolts so the box could be rotated slightly. Mine is a little different though with the
body lift.
Hal
--
1977 Royale 101348,

1977 Royale 101586, Diesel powered,

1974 Eagle Bus 45',w/slideout
 
is there a special spanner needed to remove the plug? Or will needle nose pliers work?
--
Sean and Stephanie
73 Ex-CanyonLands 26' #317 "Oliver"
Hubler 1-Ton, Quad-Bags, Rear Disc, Reaction Arms, P.Huber TBs, 3.70:1 LSD Honda 6500 inverter gen.

Colonial Travelers
 
G'day,

It's that pedantic bastard from Australia again! ;-)

When you have removed the lower steering column from the steering gear it
would be a good idea to try and rock the input shaft side to side to check
the needle bearings.

To R&R the seal and bearings see Maintenance Manual X-7525, Section 9 -
Steering, Page 9-25 (step b.), Page 9-26 (Figure 29 & 30) and page 9-27
(figure 31).

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808

-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Sean
Kidd
Sent: Wednesday, May 3, 2017 7:37 AM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Unsuccessful Rescue

is there a special spanner needed to remove the plug? Or will needle nose
pliers work?
--
Sean and Stephanie
73 Ex-CanyonLands 26' #317 "Oliver"
Hubler 1-Ton, Quad-Bags, Rear Disc, Reaction Arms, P.Huber TBs, 3.70:1 LSD
Honda 6500 inverter gen.

Colonial Travelers

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Sir, remove the top clamp bolt and slide the steering shaft up and off, a little tight but doable. Keep steering wheel locked so it don't turn. Snap
ring pliers to remove internal snapring. Pry seal out with small pic or screwdriver. Push in new seal and dust wiper, install snapring and top
clamp.

> is there a special spanner needed to remove the plug? Or will needle nose pliers work?

--
C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
 
Sounds easy enough...there is a Saginaw steering box "how to" on YouTube, but it was a complete disassembly...not sure how deep we had to go, the tit
also comes with a large diameter o-ring, like it would fit under the threaded top piece. Thank you everyone.
--
Sean and Stephanie
73 Ex-CanyonLands 26' #317 "Oliver"
Hubler 1-Ton, Quad-Bags, Rear Disc, Reaction Arms, P.Huber TBs, 3.70:1 LSD Honda 6500 inverter gen.

Colonial Travelers
 
Hello Everyone!

It took a bit for my log in to the forum to be recognized and approved to respond, but I'm here now. I just wanted to thank everyone for the responses
and help. I picked up the seal kit and fluids yesterday, so I have them in hand ready to do the repair.

I've been following along on the post so I can also learn how to work on the problem with Sean and Scott. It took a little over 24 hours to get the
insurance to approve the tow, but the coach is now safely at Scott's about 15 minutes south of us. He and I looked everything over again yesterday and
found a few other items that need fixing before we attempt another drive, but thankfully the PO included a lot of spare parts in the sale.

We are very excited to become a part of the GMC Motorhome community. I have experience with restoring 3 '59 Chevy Apache's with my Dad so he and I
were in a GMC/Chevy truck club years ago with those. Even though the coach is an all new vehicle to me, I hope I can eventually learn enough to be
another asset to this amazing group.

Thanks again, especially to Sean, Scott and Danielle for their help during our 36 hour maiden voyage, ha ha!

: ) Vonda
 
This has probably already been mentioned but make sure you have a pitman
arm puller. Some are very stubborn to remove.

Sully
77 eleganza 2
seattle

On Wed, May 3, 2017 at 7:20 AM, Vonda Walsh
wrote:

> Hello Everyone!
>
> It took a bit for my log in to the forum to be recognized and approved to
> respond, but I'm here now. I just wanted to thank everyone for the responses
> and help. I picked up the seal kit and fluids yesterday, so I have them in
> hand ready to do the repair.
>
> I've been following along on the post so I can also learn how to work on
> the problem with Sean and Scott. It took a little over 24 hours to get the
> insurance to approve the tow, but the coach is now safely at Scott's about
> 15 minutes south of us. He and I looked everything over again yesterday and
> found a few other items that need fixing before we attempt another drive,
> but thankfully the PO included a lot of spare parts in the sale.
>
> We are very excited to become a part of the GMC Motorhome community. I
> have experience with restoring 3 '59 Chevy Apache's with my Dad so he and I
> were in a GMC/Chevy truck club years ago with those. Even though the coach
> is an all new vehicle to me, I hope I can eventually learn enough to be
> another asset to this amazing group.
>
> Thanks again, especially to Sean, Scott and Danielle for their help during
> our 36 hour maiden voyage, ha ha!
>
> : ) Vonda
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
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