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Thank you!

For anyone in the future who has this problem and is stuck somewhere on the road for lack of a seal kit, there is a workaround that will get you home. You'll need to go to a hardware store to pick up a piece of aluminum or steel plate large enough to make another cover. Doesn't have to be a thick as the factory one. Then, using the existing cover as a template, drill bolt holes in the new plate, but DO NOT drill the small weep hole, then install the new plate with some sealer or gasket material. This will stop the leak until you can replace the seals. From what I read some people have left the new cover in place and never needed to replace the seals. Mine hasn't leaked yet and I carry a small plate of aluminum for doing a field repair if needed.

If I want to buy a rebuilt M80, how do I know which model that I need?
I see the following on a site that sells rebuilt steering boxes:
M80SAA
M80SAD
M80SAM
M80SAT
M80SAW

Thanks,
Jim

JimBinMI wrote: ↑Sat Jun 17, 2023 4:44 pm If I want to buy a rebuilt M80, how do I know which model that I need?
Jim

Jim,

Have you looked on the box itself for model numbers?

There is a small machined surface about 1-1.5 inches long that will have numbers stamped on it. It was difficult to find on mine but it's there. it should be visible while gear is in mounted position on frame.

Thank you!

For anyone in the future who has this problem and is stuck somewhere on the road for lack of a seal kit, there is a workaround that will get you home. You'll need to go to a hardware store to pick up a piece of aluminum or steel plate large enough to make another cover. Doesn't have to be a thick as the factory one. Then, using the existing cover as a template, drill bolt holes in the new plate, but DO NOT drill the small weep hole, then install the new plate with some sealer or gasket material. This will stop the leak until you can replace the seals. From what I read some people have left the new cover in place and never needed to replace the seals. Mine hasn't leaked yet and I carry a small plate of aluminum for doing a field repair if needed.

My father in law called Shepherd Tech Support and they said that the above temporary fix is perfectly fine to do.

So after taking all of the advise given I was able to fix my steering box. I opted to leave it attached to the rail... My box was leaking from the sector shaft seal on the bearing housing. I removed the pastic dust cover & 6 bolts holding the bearing and seal. Had to start the engine to use the pressure to get it to come off. literally just start & then stut off with in seconds...had kiddy pool under it for the mess. used a pic to get the seal out near the bearing and same pick to get the o-ring off outside of bearing housing. replaced the seal under the bearing and the o-ring on the outside. pushed housing back on shaft and got it close enough to start all 6 bolts then just tightened them a little at a time till housing resat on box. used my torq wrench to torq bolts to 60. I then refilled my reservoir and restarted the engine. steered entirely left & entirely right about 3 times each way and it is back to normal and no leak...Thanks to everyone who gave their experience it really did help!!!

It’s this the part you had to remove to get to the seals? Mine is currently leaking!!

download/file.php?id=935&sid=c1f30e5363 ... 99a92f70b9

I am new here and new to the motorhome life. Always had slide in truck campers. I really appreciate the posts on here. Most of the vehicle forums I have been on over the years everyone posts for help but never posts the final solution.