Hydraulic leak steering box

[Rick Daniels]

In prepping for snowbird season, I noticed an oil leak under the front drivers side.  Very slow leak, about one drip every 15 seconds and only when the steering wheel is in neutral position, in other words no pressure either right or left.  Discovered a line coming into or out of the steering box (as pictured below) and a pin hole leak just beyond the metal fitting.  The red arrow points to the spot of the leak.  Following the line to determine it's origin I found it to go into the frame.  Cant tell where it goes from there.  Question is, where does it end up?  If it goes all the way to the rear of the coach, through the frame, it will be next to impossible to fish a new line through the frame. Any advice would be helpful.   

[Keith Moffett Co-Admin]

I understand they abandon these lines and run new. 
We had a company called Pirtek hydraulic replace a line for us.  They are nation wide.

[Rick Daniels]

Your correct Keith, total replacement seems like the only option unless there is an in-line splice kit available.  I am told that hydraulic shops wont do them for liability purposes.  So now I must replace the 40ft+ hose from the hydraulic pump to the  steering gear box.  Couple more questions - Where is the hydraulic pump on my cat c-12.?  Does the line go directly to the steering box from the hydraulic pump or is there a junction somewhere in between?  Anybody know how much pressure is in that line? 

[Dave Atherton]

Rick, this a bunch of non-sense this is just a 2 braid hydraulic hose with standard crimp fitting.
You do not need to change out 40 feet of hydraulic hose. Note: if you can remove or disconnect
Around 2 feet of hose can cut out and reinstall new crimp end. I have portable hose press and
crimp hydraulic fitting to do this. Give me a call , located in Quartzsite,Az. Dave Atherton Retired
Cat Mechanic

[Rick Daniels]

Dave, that's the best info I could possibly get with one minor problem.  I am stuck in Montana.  What type of mobile service should I look for?  I just found one guy who is willing to fix it if he can. He is a un-branded truck and equipment repair facility. I plan on topping off the hydraulic reservoir and driving it in to his shop (15 miles) this coming Wednesday. None of the nearby RV shops in this area are either capable or available to do such a repair.  If you are willing to share further advice you can call me at 406-461-8326.  I don't have your number. Thanks for your continued advice and guidance.

[Dave Atherton]

Rick, most hydraulic shops ( caterpillar field service trucks ) carried portable hydraulic press such as
myself. There is also a hydraulic end that can be threaded into present hose you have. Note: the steering pressure and flow is not very high where that type of fitting would work just fine. Location of a hydraulic shop such as Parker that rebuilds hydraulic pumps and hydraulic cylinders should be able
To help you out. The story of who is liberal either crimping fittings on a 40 foot section or a 2 foot
section is really the experience people that have a hydraulic background to access problem.
Dave atherton Retired Cat Mechanic