| Author |
Message |
Bob Wies (Ncbob)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 5:31 pm: | |
My old MC5A has an added Ross Power Steering unit.
At the moment the sight glass is MT! Any suggestions as to what fluid I need to add to fil'r'up?
Thanks,
NCbob |
Kevin Hatch
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 6:26 pm: | |
Not sure about a MC5A, but my GMC 4905 uses 10W30. Do you have the manual for that bus? |
t gojenola
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 6:41 pm: | |
Find it here:
http://www.babsteering.com/product/identification/gears/Ross/ross_gear.htm
tg |
JR
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 8:04 pm: | |
If the PS fluid is red, it's Dexron auto fluid. If it's the brown color of motor oil, it's....motor oil (10w30). MCI steering system may have either.
NJT used Dexron..and that's what I continue to use. The Vickers manual (and MCI manual) indicates 10W30 or Dexron.
As an aside, even HT740 Allisons will operate satisfactorily on 10w30. This isn't something I'd care to prove.
Regarding your PS fluids, you don't want to mix the two...but color will establish what's in it.
JR |
Bob Wies (Ncbob)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 8:28 pm: | |
Unfortunately, there isn't enough in the sight glass to tell me. The link that t qojenola offered is now bookmarked and I will look for the tag, or other means of ID to make the determination as to what model it is. Add to that the previous owner didn't know sheep s--t from apple butter about his bus!
I'm puzzled though...I can't find the freakin' pump!
Could it be that the pump is driven off the accessory drive on the 8V71?
For sure I'll find out next week when we jerk the engine out. Something tells me that it will be the beginning of one loooong learning experience!
Thanks guys.
NCbob |
Stan
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 7:57 am: | |
The MC5A came from the factory with Ross power steering that used a hydraulic cylinder on the drag link. The MCI manual called for 10 weight non-detergent oil for that system.
If your bus has been changed to an integral steering box, you are dealing with two different requirements. The type of oil used is normally determined by the pump requirement. If your steering box reqires something different than the pump, you have to decide which one to favor.
The pump is mounted on the passenger side at the rear of the engine (transmission end). There is a resevoir about 6" in diameter by 10" high. Take the top of and stick your fingers inside to find what kind of oil is in it. The sight glass assembly will not work properly if the vent tube is blocked.
If you are going to pull the engine, there should be two large hydraulic type quick couplers on the bulkhead so that you don't have to drain the power steering system. |
Bob Wies (Ncbob)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 1:11 pm: | |
Stan, my air compressor is mounted on the curb side, rear of the engine on the accessory drive. That would leave the drivers side for a power steering pump (since the tach is electronic).
I'm told that Sam Caylor changed the steering out about 15 years ago but who would remember? The guy I bought it from? I wouldn't believe him if he swore he was lying to me!
What fluid would cause the LEAST amount of damage for 125 mile run if I can't locate the Model # on the column?
NCbob |
Bob Wies (Ncbob)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 2:15 pm: | |
I was just down to the bus barn and looked to see if there were any identifying plates on the steering column...none...just casting numbers.
And the bus doesn't NOT have a powered drag link.
My best guess is that the power steering hoses run underneath and into the spare tire compartment.
It IS full time, not air assist, power steering.
Now, what's next? I'll refer to my previous post.
What fluid could I add to cause the least amount of damage for 125 mile trip?
NCbob |
Chuck Lott (Chuckmc8)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 3:25 pm: | |
Bob, reach in thru the front access door (or raise the bumber and reach in the spare tire compartment) with a wrench and crack one of the lines going to the PS unit.....step #2 is to evaluate what's running down your arm.....its one or the udder....
Chuck |
Stan
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 4:21 pm: | |
If you are only going to drive it 125 miles, it doesn't really matter which one you add. Red ATF (Dextron) mixes fine with oil. If you are going to pull the engine, you can sort out what you have and then drain and flush the system and start over with fresh fluid.
When you referred to the sight glass, I assumed that you meant the original sight glass beside the engine governor. If it is, follow the line to the resevoir. If not, I have no idea what has been changed and where to look. |
JR
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 10:24 pm: | |
Bob, the pump is just below the compressor. Very small item. Take the top off the reservoir and stick something down into the the res and see what the fluid looks like. If still not definitive, as Stan says, use Dexron ATF to top it up. You're going to pull the engine to get the clutch anyway. You'll have some minimal loss. As long as the steering is working, you don't have to add anything, even if it is low. It ain't gonna hurt it. No further than your going. You'll know if the fluid get dangerously low by the feel in the steering. Otherwise, your safe to use.
Now, let go get that clutch installed!
JR |
Bob Wies (Ncbob)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 6:04 am: | |
JR. nobody wants that clutch situation laid behind me more than me! But first I need to get the rear lights working or NC's finest will be impounding my bus!
The power steering fluid chase is just another small bump in the road between here and Connelly Springs.
NCbob |