| Author |
Message |
gary throneberry (Garhawk)
Registered Member
Username: Garhawk
Post Number: 41
Registered: 3-2007
Posted From: 24.158.150.79
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 - 5:37 pm: | |
Hey guys,
My brother Tony finally bought himself a bus - 1963 Silver Eagle conversion with air-assist steering. The steering is somewhat 'loose' at speed and not so easy to turn when moving slow.
He has checked with a top-of-the-line company to install their update kit with power steering and, the price is at or above the $6,000 mark.
He is close to Eagle's Nest in Nashville, Tn. and, they seem to have a handle on bringing the system he now has up to snuff. They can see him two weeks from today for a look-see and estimate.
However, before he goes in, we would like to know:
a) is there another model year which would be a replacement for the original 1963 steering system
b) how would the original 1963 steering system compare to a later model hydraulic powered one (provided the 1963 was back to like-new condition)
c) what are other options
Thanks for your help. |
larry currier (Larryc)
Registered Member
Username: Larryc
Post Number: 369
Registered: 2-2007
Posted From: 207.200.116.13
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 - 10:19 pm: | |
We used air on trucks for years, likely the same as Tony's.
Check the mounting plate for loose bolts, The air unit won't affect wander so I think you will find a bad ball joint etc. causing the issue there.
Any Eagle that old should have had the steering box mounting tubing replaced at least once, so make sure that the tubing holding the box is in good condition and not letting the steering box move. Also make sure the mounting bolts are tight.
The air assist may not be working because you should be able to hear it release air when you turn the wheel.
The air assist is generally very inexpensive to maintain, only some O rings for the most part will get one going.
I think it is acceptable for Tonys bus and an inexpensive alternative to Ross or what ever you prefer on the high $ side.
Once the front end is right, raising the front T bars to the max height spec will help the caster and make one a little easier to steer and 100% more stable in cross winds.
If the nose is low, the Eagle is not fun to drive. Very hard to steer and a good cross wind will blow you over half a lane. |
Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member
Username: Luvrbus
Post Number: 1263
Registered: 8-2006
Posted From: 184.10.191.147
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 - 10:59 pm: | |
The air assist Eagle used was made to be turned off while driving on the hiways 6 grand is too much for Ross Steering on a Eagle you can do it for under 2G bring to AZ this winter and I will do for 3G lol fwiw the 01 never used any type assisted steering from the factory.Any model 05,07,10,20 and 15 will work on the 01 just takes a plate and few braces you can buy from Jefferson as a kit the model 15 has the best Ross box they used the TSA65 not the HF64
good luck
(Message edited by luvrbus on August 30, 2011)
(Message edited by luvrbus on August 30, 2011)
(Message edited by luvrbus on August 30, 2011)
(Message edited by luvrbus on August 30, 2011) |
Tom Christman (Tchristman)
Registered Member
Username: Tchristman
Post Number: 328
Registered: 1-2006
Posted From: 66.218.33.156
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, September 01, 2011 - 11:13 am: | |
My transit bus had air assist. It was tight-checked many times. Part of the reason was the 90 degree gear box had a gear reduction of 1.5 to one to make steering easier. But that also made for alot of steering. I gave up and had Sheppard steering installed (my steering box is mounted on the front axle). With the one to one 90 degree gear box, I went from 8.5 turns lock to lock to 4.5 turns lock to lock and with finger tip pressure. Best conversion I had done. Good Luck, TomC |
larry currier (Larryc)
Registered Member
Username: Larryc
Post Number: 374
Registered: 2-2007
Posted From: 207.200.116.13
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 05, 2011 - 12:22 am: | |
Hey Cliff,
How do I get to the shop? I'm floating AZ for a while this winter.
My wife passed at 51 and I am just going to take the Eagle to the Keys for a while this winter.
Time to burn with old friends in Phx/ Tuscon area on the way. Can you fix my ?
I have some timing issues that are killing the fuel mileage on a low mile 6V92 DDEC 2 NJT transit engine.
I get a steady 5 MPG and I know it will do better than that and still run like 400 HP with the low comp ecology pistons.
How can we fix it? |
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