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Problems with power steering and hydro boost brake system 1992 Fleetwood Rv G.M. 454 engine
We share this information as a retired mechanic and R.V. owner, last season we performed Maintenence on our unit, drained and replaced all fluids, power steering fluid, Brake fluid, rear axle oil and serviced the engine oil, filter and serviced transmission oil and filter
after driving the unit for 4 months and aprox 4500 K.M we experienced a whining and growling sound from the power brake and steering system after the unit warmed up with the sound getting louder when the steering was used and the brakes were applied. and we noticed
power steering fluid and air bubbling from the reservoir, as a retired H.D mechanic the sound appeared as a worn pump which produces ( cavitation airation ) because the pump has lost its ability to transport fluid in a constant pressure and gallon per minute FLOW as it was designed to at he factory
We purchased from the Napa Dealer a power steering repair kit # SPN 20- E 60 For $ 71.42 and the GM reccomended powersteering fluid GM Delco # 8902183 at $ 6.30 per litre
after we installed the pump repair kit we had still had the unit elevated on safety stands, with the front wheels clear of the ground and as G.M. reccomends, while I watched the oil level in the power steering reservoir and added fliud to keep the air from entering the system my wife turned the steering wheel from right to left a cycle of 40 complete cycles some oil had to be added, trapped air could be heard escaping into the power steering reservoir until aprox the 28 th cycle and after that no more air was heard. note the top must be installed
on the reservoir during the turning of the steering wheel and removed every 3-4 cycles to prevent oil spilling from the reservoir
we then started the 454 engine and repeated the steering wheel cycle rotations from right to left and applied the brake pedal, there were aprox. 4 burps of air into the reservior until the aprox. the 10 th brake application and then the system became really quiet and operated smoothly as it did before the problem arose a minor addition of power fluid was required to bring the level to the lower portion of the add mark to allow for heat expansion of the oil in the reservoir
repair operation summation
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air can enter the power steering hydro boost system by one or more of the following conditions
(1) Normal wearout of the pump
(2) improper or contaminated fluid
(3) broken line or loose fitting
(4) low fluid level caused by a slow un observed leak ( reccomend oil level check at least twice weekly) or before use if unit was parked for a period of time un used
Reccomendation for RV owner and OR field mechanic
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if your unit has 80-100 K.M. ( and after systematic bleeding of air from the system,) still experiences a noise from the power steering hydro boost system suggest
(A) ( replacement of power steering pump and inspection and replacement of hoses as required)
(B) installation of GM reccomended power steering fluid
(C) systematic bleeding of the power steering and hydro boost brake system
Notes this system is very unstable and noisy when air gets into the fluid and lots of time and effort must be spent to rid the system of the air than can be the culprit, and replacing parts over and over will not solve the problem if Air bubbles are in the system as the problem will repeat its self even after the second or third part is installed good luck we plan on installing an external an external oil cooler on the power steering system this coming winter season and year and yes that means to re bleed the system should any air be introduced during the installation of the oil cooler which we plan locating in front and near the lower part of the radiator
safety concern
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when the brake system is noisy the peformance and operation can be reduced severly, and this increases the risk of collision accidents because of the slow operation of the brake and steering system and increased stopping time distance factors that appear when the repair condition requirement is present
Cheers and Happy R.V. ing R.E Johnson Nelson B.C. e mail # oryerbrj@netidea |
email robt Johnson
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