M100 Shepard steering box leak at vent hole

[timaz996]

My Shepard steering bock leak has a leak at the vent hole. They don't sell a replacement plug and say to silicone the hole closed. It is still leaking. I cleaned it with acetone first but is still leaking. Her is a couple pictures and one picture you can see Hydraulic fluid on my generator exhaust from driving about 300 miles. Any suggestions??? 

[streetrodder]

JB weld

[Gary 05 AMB DST]

Do you think that vent was there for a reason? Why block it?

Gary 05 AMB DST

[Robert U]

It sounds like it is time to do a TRW steering box replacement. The leak is probably due to a failed seal which will only get worse. Plugging vent is a just a patch and will come back to haunt you. Lost steering due to a cracked seal on I 85 in South Carolina. Not fun 

Bob U 2000 Dip

[Frank McElroy]

You have a leaking sector shaft seal and to fix it will require a rebuild kit and likely you have worn internal parts.  Time to look at a TRW swap.

[jacwjames]

Tim

I responded on IRV2 but thought it might be beneficial if I post here also

Tim,
Not 100% sure but I think the leak is from the dust cap on the sector shaft. I have a M100 Sheppard manual, here's a link https://www.rhsheppard.com/wp-conten...v-B_8-2014.pdf , and it does say that after assembly you are suppose to cover the hole with RTV type sealant.
But at the end of the sector shaft there is an O-ring and my guess it's leaking there and since the dust cover isn't suppose to contain pressure it just leaks.

There is a Sector Shaft seal kit Sheppard M100 M90 Power Steering Gear, Sector Shaft Seal Kit, 5545741/5544881, 9 Pack  that you can buy and the job can be done without removing the steering box. I found this video and it looks like the rig had the same type of leak.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7MEnfl_gEc

[timaz996]

If this is the case I'm stuck because I don't have the tools to do this job. I'm full time and now in Pahrump, NV.

[jacwjames]

I posted these on IRV2 but figured it wouldn't hurt to post here also.

I crawled under my rig and took pictures of the Sheppard steering box to help Tim identify his.  Mine has the name and model number cast into the the drivers side of the box.  It is pretty visible once you get light on it. 

Unfortunately the way it is mounted I don't think the seal kit could be installed without dropping the box. 

 

Edited May 4, 2023 by jacwjames

[jillandjackie]

where did you all find the seal rebuild kits for these? 

[jacwjames]

Replace for Sheppard M100 M90 Power Steering Gear, Sector Shaft Seal Kit, 5545741/5544881, 9 Pack

If your steering box is tight it might be worth trying to fix, there are videos on how to rebuild but it's hit or miss.  I believe Tim had a shop try to fix his and ended up with problems and ultimately changed to a TRW box.

If you rig wanders it might be better to so the TRW swap.

[tomevansfl]

On 5/3/2023 at 9:25 PM, Frank McElroy said:

You have a leaking sector shaft seal and to fix it will require a rebuild kit and likely you have worn internal parts.  Time to look at a TRW swap.

What price range would there be top replace with a rebuilt TRW box?

Im looking at maybe having to replace my Sheppard box due to a leak. 

[cbr046]

I got mine through Weller Truck Parts.  Total was $1700 with the pittman arm less $500 for the core exchange.  You'll also need (3) 7/8 x 4" Grade 8 bolts as the Sheppard bolts are too short. 

https://wellertruck.com/inventory/steering-gear?UNIT-MODEL=TAS65

There's multiple versions of the TAS65.  Mine was TAS65-126 + pittman arm TRW 84263202

There's a lonnnnnng discussion on iRV2 discussing the swap - 103 pages!  Finally at the bottom of page 15 is the write up I used for my swap (and attached).

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f115/steering-box-play-sheppard-m100-shim-or-swap-for-a-trw-210152-15.html

The hardest part was getting the Sheppard mounting bolts off and drilling a 1 1/4" hole in the steering plate.  Even with a torque multiplier I never could get the bolts loose and ended up having a shop do the entire swap.  They must have used red loctite and I didn't have enough heat. 

Good luck.

- bob

 

Steering Box Swap.pdf

[tomevansfl]

Thanks Bob, Josams just called and said the steering box is bad and has to be replaced. They will replace it with a TRW for $2,000 total out the door.
 

Not what I was hoping but what can I do. I am physically unable to get underneath and attempt the repair myself…not to mention I’m not mechanically inclined enough to attempt that major of a repair. The price you quoted for parts makes this cost seem very reasonable.