Mason's 1968 model 05

Well, a lot of things have happened since the 2nd, a lot of little technical details as well as visible details.

Put both windshields in, cracked one :evil:

I guess it is common to crack one ? Any way I think John zahn sold me model 15 gasket, we put the next one in with the old gasket and it worked ok, but there is one spot where the window doesn't match the frame. Again, :evil:

So then tonight took for first drive on highway, engine running great, transmission shifting perfectly, how ever our steering assist is acting really weird. It's almost like you have to steer 3 Seconds ahead of what you want the wheels to do. Maybe not enough pressure? :cry:

sigh

This would be the only thing keeping us from getting on the road this weekend for a 4 hour family camping trip.

So I am a little frustrated.

Anyone have a Ross power steering box I can buy lol

Mason

Mason, sounds like you have reached a frustration point. Most of us have been there many times. Hang in there.

I can't tell what type of steering you have. If it is air assisted, you will probably want to plan for a standard PS box. If you have a PS box, you should look at the mounting bracket.

Eagle had a factory service bulletin for Model 10 buses because of a problem with the factory bracket -- see:
https://eagles-international.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=775&p=30063&hilit=steering+bracket&sid=4b2bcb7b8eadbbc8acec9f56b6e0a104&sid=4b4e6df406d0096ba72fc4aa51b8f556#p30063

Since you have a model 05 that would probably not affect you, but I thought I would mention it.

Jim

Mason, based on your post on BCM, we now know that you have hydraulic power assist. You are getting decent advice. One person talked about being sure that you steering is centered. I think that is important with a PS box, but not the PS assist.

All of my searching discussed air assist PS for Eagles and that system sounds like it sucks.

It sounds like you drove the bus with the assist deactivated and it drove well. That would tend to eliminate any linkage/steering component issues. That said, I would still check things like tie rod ends.

I was hoping that my parts manual would cover power assist, but no such luck. The picture below shows a very basic system that is fundamentally the same as yours (I think).

: linkage-steering-power-assist-1.jpg (78.21 KiB) Viewed 1041 times

At first glace the system seems pretty simple. That said, I worked on one in a 57 Chevy and they are a bit cranky when they get old. The control valve is the critical component and if the valving components are worn, it causes a problem. Also the linkage between the mechanical steering box and the control valve must have almost no play, or the system will "hunt". Since you have the hydraulics in place, I would vote to convert to a PS box.

We don't have a lot of information about PS boxes, but the following is about the best I could find:
https://eagles-international.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3030&p=22852&hilit=power+steering+box&sid=27e5be03c6a3d33019369ca5cd181bd0&sid=1a89ab8486f2380379160ebf422d20e6#p22852

Jim

Well last week was... interesting.

let me begin by posting what i posted on BCM.

ok, I am finally back. Sorry for the wait. Last week was quite a ride.

Let me just start at the beginning.

So after my last post, I was Down in the barn and I decided to work on bleeding the system, figuring it still had air in it. After jacking up the bus, I went around and pushed on the tire and was astonished to find that the tire would move both ways about 2-3 inches. Crawling underneath I found the problem, and took a short video of it here. https://youtu.be/GnCo9N9KGYc
I took it from the curb side, in the foreground you can see the hydraulic assist cylinder, what is moving is the 90 degree arm used to transfer longitudinal motion to side to side motion. Please take time to look at the 3 sec vid, it will answer many questions.

So basically we were 1 rusty 1/2" bolt from being in the ditch... :-[

Well that was a shock to find.

MY Hypothesis: There are 4 bolts holding this bracket on, I am sure 3 were completely rusted through and the whole assembly was being held on by one bolt and some rust. As we were maneuvering out of our driveway the additional pressure from the hydraulic assist went ahead and broke the rust so it was hanging from 1 bolt. As you recall, the hydraulic assist was not working with the 8v71.

Which leads to the crazy steering problem we had.

This was Wednesday morning. So i tore into that and around 5 pm had it all back together with new bolts, new spacers, and a lot of reinforcement above the spacers.

Took it for a test drive that evening, everything worked great, but the steering wheel still had 2 inch slop either way in it, but it was solid so drivable.

On thursday we fabricated bunks, back bed platform, counter top, some kind of seating, and fridge mounts and we left around 3 for a 'relaxing vacation'

But we got it on the road!

but now i can start going to bed at a regular time again lol

and my phone stopped working so no pictures till I get that backed up.

That pretty much explains the steering problem.

I'll have more pictures soon and more explanation.

mason

That's a little scary. I know you have thought of this but I would spend some time looking for more rusted components on the front end.
Wayne

Yes, Wayne , next up is fixing other side, but I had a WWAI moment and decided to install a power steering box. I am planning on using the bluebird box, although it is a unique configuration.

Here are some pictures so far

As a side note, I think we only shifted into 6th twice on our 8 hour trip, both times right at or right above 70 mph. Right at 1350 rpm at 70mph.

Other wise we were in 5th at 1475 rpm for 65, 66 mph.

So very pleased with the rear end gearing, this thing wants to roll! And it will be awesome to drive once it steers correctly.

Max temp was around 200 deg., but we didn’t have any hard grades and the outside temp was 85 max. I’m pretty sure thermostats don’t open til 200...

And lost one belt on the way back, not sure why, but maybe we will upgrade to a little bigger, wider, tensioner.

Jakes and cruise worked successfully, but cruise is not hooked to brakes yet so we did not use. And jakes seem to only be 2 stages. But over all a pleasing trip.

Mason

Great news. Glad your trip went well. If you are going to change to the bluebird steering box I mite have a deal for you. Somehow I ended up with a new steering box from the left overs at the end if the bluebird factory demise. It is yours but you have to pick it up at my place or maybe we could meet have way some where in eastern Colorado. See if there is some numbers on the box to see if they are the same.
Wayne

Sounds like you are ready for Branson!! It is worth the trip even in a car!!

Ok, looks like I’m pretty bad at replying. :oops:

Wayne, at this point since we had this box already, we installed it, however I may take up your offer on your box anyway, we will see.

Eric, thanks for the invite. Not sure if it will happen though. This is a pretty busy time of year for us.

I did get the box installed, threw the floor in and we took it for a drive, now it steers as it should, however the steering wheel is extremely hard to turn just sitting. Not sure if there is still to much air in the system or what. Besides that, i have been to busy to touch the bus.

That should change soon though. Next project is to completely seal the front end.

Mason

Shouldn't be hard to turn if both the unit and ps pump came from the same bus. Check for air in the system. Also, if you rev it up a little does it turn easier?? If so, you may need a higher flow, or pressure pump.