- Joined
- Sep 21, 2020
- Messages
- 2,164
- Location
- Ringgold, GA.
- RV Year
- 2006
- RV Make
- Holiday Rambler
- RV Model
- Ambassador
- RV Length
- 40'
- TOW/TOAD
- 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Over on the "other" RV forum there are HUNDREDS of pages about Shepherd steering gear boxes vs. TRW steering gear boxes and all the trouble people have had on these RV chassis platforms. Well, mine started leaking the other day when I got back from Costco to have the propane tank filled up. I figured it was the output seal and after taking it to a diesel truck shop they agreed. But the guy says that if the bushing on the output shaft is the real problem then changing out the seal isn't going to fix anything. I completely agree.
So, I ask "How much is it to change the seal?" Answer $1200.00.
So, I ask "How much to have my steering box rebuilt and re-installed?" Answer $1900.00 plus $300 shipping.
So, I ask "How much is it for a re-man steering box?" Answer $2600.
The "other" RV forum says that the TRW steering box is better and is adjustable so we should all switch to that one. Of course the diesel shop knows nothing about how to install parts that don't come on an RV. They don't want to modify the steering because of liability reasons.
Have any of you been down this road at all? Do these prices seem normal to you or are these guys trying to bend me over? I'm thinking of doing the job myself. I found a place on-line that rebuilds the Shepherd M100 box back to factory new specs for $578 and will ship it back to me for free. I'll have to pay for shipping to get it there. My guess is I'll have less than $800 in the whole job. My only problem will be getting the coach up high enough to work under safely. I have a HUGE air compressor and all the air tools I need but I've never had to work on any vehicle that was 38,000 GVW before. My 6000 lb. lift won't work. I'm afraid my floor jack won't get it up either. I may have to build some ramps from treated lumber and drive up on them. Steel ramps will be too steep and too tall. With the set back front axle I think the bottom of the body would hit it. Any ideas??
So, I ask "How much is it to change the seal?" Answer $1200.00.
So, I ask "How much to have my steering box rebuilt and re-installed?" Answer $1900.00 plus $300 shipping.
So, I ask "How much is it for a re-man steering box?" Answer $2600.
The "other" RV forum says that the TRW steering box is better and is adjustable so we should all switch to that one. Of course the diesel shop knows nothing about how to install parts that don't come on an RV. They don't want to modify the steering because of liability reasons.
Have any of you been down this road at all? Do these prices seem normal to you or are these guys trying to bend me over? I'm thinking of doing the job myself. I found a place on-line that rebuilds the Shepherd M100 box back to factory new specs for $578 and will ship it back to me for free. I'll have to pay for shipping to get it there. My guess is I'll have less than $800 in the whole job. My only problem will be getting the coach up high enough to work under safely. I have a HUGE air compressor and all the air tools I need but I've never had to work on any vehicle that was 38,000 GVW before. My 6000 lb. lift won't work.
I'm afraid my floor jack won't get it up either. I may have to build some ramps from treated lumber and drive up on them. Steel ramps will be too steep and too tall. With the set back front axle I think the bottom of the body would hit it. Any ideas??
