Front Wheel Bearing Noise

Topic: Front Wheel Bearing Noise (Read 1368 times) previous topic - next topic

Front Wheel Bearing Noise

April 02, 2019, 01:18:16 am

With 136,000 miles on the coach, the front right wheel bearing was:

- Low on oil, although when the rubber cap was removed, oil was visible just below the minimum sight glass line.
It only took a fluid ounce or so to fill it back up.
- Making some white noise when jacked and spun. Not a lot of noise, no grinding, no growling, but was free-wheeling. Not binding nor loose. The left front wheel made no noise and it's oil level is normal.
- Metal specks in oil as seen through the sight glass. It used to be clear with no specks.
- No fresh oil leaks can be seen.

I am 1000 miles from home camping at Sun-n-Fun in Lakeland, FL with limited tools. Since the damage is already done, should I:

1. Replace the bearings, race and seals ASAP.
If so, who makes these parts (Meritor?), what are the part numbers? Would a truck service center stock them and do the work?
Or should I order them and have a professional replace them.

2. Replace the oil and let it go until I get home, since I am a DIYer.

This issue is my fault because I had not checked the hub oil for many thousands of miles. This was complacency due to no oil usage in the last ten times it was checked. Guess it takes only one leakage event to ruin a bearing.

Your advice would be appreciated.

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Noise

Reply #1 – April 02, 2019, 06:18:31 am

Tim,part numbers and procedures are covered on previous posts,someone will probably post the part numbers when they wake-up.
Think on this one you may want to find a shop that can replace the bearing AND the race,this is not a costly repair,let us know
exactly where you are,maybe someone can reccommend a shop,other alternative is to monitor closely until you get home but it
will only get worse.

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Noise

Reply #2 – April 02, 2019, 06:41:12 am

I am in Lakeland, FL., near Tampa. I scanned the Tech Forum and could not see postings on U270 bearing and race part numbers.

To make matters worse, in a tragic turn of events, my 15 year old son was a witness to a friend's shooting near my home in Pottstown, PA,, about 1080 miles away. He called 911. We are shocked he was hanging around with a "friend" carrying a gun. We are hoping his friend lives. Heaven forbid, but if he dies, I will cut this trip short and fly or drive home on short notice. Fortunately I have a toad.

Do these axels have replaceable races?

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Noise

Reply #3 – April 02, 2019, 07:20:58 am

Tim sorry to hear about your son. PM Red Tractor here on the forum, he can help you out with everything you need on the wheel bearing. He is fairly close to you, if not he can direct to someone. Or any heavy truck place can take care of it. If you are seeing metal flakes and hearing noise it needs replaced pretty quick. Yes the races knock out. You will need the proper seal driver to install the seal.

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Noise

Reply #4 – April 02, 2019, 07:45:47 am

If you can't find the parts locally I did see them on Amazon.

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Noise

Reply #5 – April 02, 2019, 07:48:45 am

Tim,
Yes the races are replaceable, they may look like part of the axle though. Or maybe I am thinking about the ring for the seal that looks like part of the axle. If you haven't done this, probably best to take it somewhere for repair. When I had a leaking seal, a truck tire dealer was able to do it. Hope everything works out with your son.

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Noise

Reply #6 – April 02, 2019, 08:08:41 am

I am 30 miles away from Ron, AKA Redtractor. Just bought a sofa from him. I'll give him a PM and a phone call.

Just having you forum members replies made my day because I was tossing and turning last night hallucinating that U270 axel parts were made of Thanks so much!

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Noise

Reply #7 – April 02, 2019, 08:17:47 am

Quote from: Tim – April 02, 2019, 08:08:41 am

I am 30 miles away from Ron, AKA Redtractor. Just bought a sofa from him. I'll give him a PM and a phone call.

Just having you forum members replies made my day because I was tossing and turning last night hallucinating that U270 axel parts were made of Thanks so much!

Wheel bearings are one of the things that won't be an issue.
Ball and roller bearings require such specialized machinery to manufacture that, well, equipment manufacturers buy what the bearing manufacturer makes and that's it. To put it another way, bearing standards are determined by the bearing manufacturer.

FWIW you should replace bearings and races as a set. Once you get to the metal flake stage replace should with must.

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Noise

Reply #8 – April 02, 2019, 08:25:54 am

I am in the process of replacing bearings, seals, and brake shoes right now. Here is an excellent professional video by Stemco on bearings and seals, along with a little on liability. I watched all three parts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8-XL4E4m7o

TOM

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Noise

Reply #9 – April 02, 2019, 08:41:26 am

Any shop that works on OTR trucks should be able to replace them. They are NOT RV specific.

With metal in the oil, no idea how long they can go before lock-up.

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Noise

Reply #10 – April 02, 2019, 08:45:11 am

You are only a few miles from Josams on 8849 Exchange Dr. in Orlando:

http://www.josamusa.com/

They are by far the best in the state of Florida. FT Sales and Service, when FT was in Tampa, Sanford and San Antonio, all three used Josams. Liberty, Featherlite, Millenium and Marathon all use them. I've used them a couple of times. Always excellent.

Leaks make very visible streaks inside and/or outside wheel. If you have no external signs of leakage, it has been going on a long time and bearing is just coming apart. I would have all four front axle bearings replaced by someone that has the proper truck tire/wheel handling equipment and noodle-power.
HTH,
Neal

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Noise

Reply #11 – April 02, 2019, 09:01:55 am

X2 on Josam. Used them fo 20 years on big truck work.

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Noise

Reply #12 – April 02, 2019, 11:05:05 am

While you may get by with topping off the oil, the flakes could indicate a upcoming failure. When a wheel bearing fails, it generates a large amount of heat in a big rig, enough that an easy, one hour R&R can turn into a major job. You can get the bearings most anywhere so that won't be a problem and they are not expensive. Yes, an no sweat DIY job at home but if you have time, it's not going to cost that much to get the offending side replaced, both sides would be even better.

If you do it at home, you will have to do a little research on bearing manufacturers as they are not all equal. Plus, there are several grades of bearings. A specialist as recommended above will have all the knowledge so you will be assured the best possible bearings and installation.

Pierce

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Noise

Reply #13 – April 02, 2019, 11:07:56 am

Yup, need new bearings, replace races and replace seals (at least the inner seal for sure).

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Noise

Reply #14 – April 02, 2019, 12:24:02 pm

Fix it now, it can run into a few cb's otherwise...happened to me, when I first noticed I had a problem (slight squeaky type noise) I had gone too far!...pulled over immediately but the damage was done. Yes, they do get hot even if you have plenty of oil. My "spindle race" had welded itself to the spindle and the "hub race" had spun in the hub...I got to buy both spindle and hub new. New bearings are cheap compared to these two items.

Ralph
96 U270

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Noise

Reply #15 – April 02, 2019, 01:08:23 pm

I can make room at my shop for you, if you need to leave it for a week or two. Also if you want to change it, I can assist or do it for you.

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Noise

Reply #16 – April 02, 2019, 07:03:24 pm

Im not sure how the prices there are. Ours was plum full of water when I got it home. I drove it about 20 miles that way. I took it to a local small guy truck mechanic for a fix. He charged me $275 for new bearings and races.

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Noise

Reply #17 – April 02, 2019, 07:22:11 pm

Don't sound too bad for the whole job.

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Noise

Reply #18 – April 02, 2019, 09:38:56 pm

Quote from: MT Ted – April 02, 2019, 07:03:24 pm

Ours was plum full of water when I got it home

Might want to grease the tie rod ends a few extra times, sounds like someone may have dipped their toes a little too deep in the water at a boat ramp mishap. Does it have a ball hitch on the front? Parking brake might need inspection also.

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Noise

Reply #19 – April 02, 2019, 09:41:32 pm

Thanks to red tractor it will be replaced Monday. It's 30 miles, so I'm sure it will make it. That's a load off my mind, pun intended.

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Noise

Reply #20 – April 04, 2019, 08:24:12 pm

Quote from: Old phart phred – April 02, 2019, 09:38:56 pm

Might want to grease the tie rod ends a few extra times, sounds like someone may have dipped their toes a little too deep in the water at a boat ramp mishap. Does it have a ball hitch on the front? Parking brake might need inspection also.

It sat for so long with the LF wheel facing a dirt field. The wind blew the hub cover full of silt. That just happens to be the side that got all the snow and rain. It eventually sealed it all off, filled it with water right through the rubber vent in the plug. The only way I caught it was at the tire shop when she got new shoes right after the purchase.

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Noise

Reply #21 – April 10, 2019, 06:28:09 pm

Problem fixed. The bearings and race had many scratches and gouges. The reason: probably due to water intrusion since there was rust near the entrance to the rear oil seal. My hero is one of the best mechanics, teacher and forum members I can imagine: red tractor. See photo of Ron next to his, you guessed it, a red tractor.

Ron replaced the bearings, race and seals in about three hours, including a trip to the part store. Attached is a photo of this extremely knowledgeable and friendly man.

I recommend everyone to periodically check the MAGNET embedded in the oil bath filler cap. Mine was filled with steel filings.

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Noise

Reply #22 – April 10, 2019, 06:34:53 pm

Nice pictures.

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Noise

Reply #23 – April 10, 2019, 10:11:58 pm

I have been following this forum over the past 6 or 8 months because my wife and I have an interest in buying a Foretravel; not only am I astounded by the shared knowledge and kind spirit offered to all who ask for help and understanding of these incredible vehicles, I am truly now amazed by the assistance offered and performed on the repair of Tim's coach by Red Tractor. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I recognize through this site that Foretravel Motor Coaches are really special, but more importantly also through this website I recognize the people that own these motorcoaches, you folks, are generous, thoughtful and supportive in a way that I have not or can recall in my recent memory. I'm inspired by all who participate freely on this site and I can't wait to join you on the road hopefully in the near future. Tom and Leslie Pate

Re: Front Wheel Bearing Noise

Reply #24 – April 10, 2019, 11:24:06 pm

Bob and Leslie we too followed this close knit group and could not believe the amount of information we found on line, the number of people that contacted us to say we may have a problem buying this or that coach, telling us what years were better than others etc. with all the RV's we have had over the last 29 years we have never been in anyway greeted or so welcomed on line and by an owner who lives near us.
We just bought a 99 U270 a few weeks ago and are excited to be a part of this group of people who are keeping these beautiful quality built coaches running and looking beautiful.
Hopefully you will find one, we got one by putting an advert on the forum Classified's.
David and Emma

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