Hello,
Just checked the oil level in the tag axles and front axles. The first one was low so I crawled underneath to check for leaks. Found oil drops on the edge of the the brake rotors on both tag axles and some oil inside the fender well on one of them. No oil on the braking surfaces of either rotor. The edges of the front rotors are damp with oil also. One of the braking surfaces of one of the front rotors has oil on it.
We parked in Bakersfield nine days ago after having driven from Needles. The brakes seemed normal, but I can't help but assume that braking quality will be reduced if I keep driving it.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a trustworthy mechanic in Bakersfield?
Back story: I had the oil in all four hubs changed last fall during a service. No leaks at that time. Don't know what kind of oil was in them, but the shop put in synthetic. Was under the rig this winter looking things over and didn't notice any problems, though it's very possible it was there. We drove on I-40 from Flagstaff to Needles before driving to Bakersfield. There was a twenty to thirty mile stretch of I-40 that was very rough. Rough enough that there were signs warning about rough road. We lost a hub cap on that day. The lost hub cap is what prompted the oil level check. Can't help pondering whether a change to synthetic caused them all to start leaking or the rough road.
Thanks for any referrals - Joe
The axle seals are the same as on big rigs and there are plenty of truck repair services in Bakersfield
Check the breather holes as well (see good discussion starting with this linked post: Rear axle seal leak (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=17980.msg122070#msg122070) )
My thought would be.... did you have new seals installed when the axle oil was changed ? it is not hard to install the seals slightly cocked and it doesn't have to be much, for the seals to act as a pump and kick out oil. Also was the pre-load on the bearing correct as that can also act as a pump.
To Michelle's suggestion,there are no breathers for you to check as the are only on the pumpkin of a drive axles and not on a steer or tag.
Oops - I guess I'm remembering incorrectly. There aren't breather holes in the red Stemco plugs?
I believe that the drive axle breather is there to allow for hot air expansion as the differential generates much more heat than a steer or tag axle bearing assy. ( caveat ; in good repair and adjustment )
Stemco plugs are just that...a plug and have no holes. It's something to do with rotating mass and air flow over the same Blah Blah. ^.^d
Hard to change to synthetic without dismounting the hub assembly.
You cannot get all the old lube out without taking it apart.
So you have some old and some new.
They will leak if not at the outside line on the level window. Not the inside. Plus a plugged cap hole when hot will pressurize the hub and force the oil out
Front Wheel Beaing (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=27987.msg231186#msg231186)
Rear axle seal leak (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=17980.msg122185#msg122185)
Thank you for the info/ideas. I have booked an appointment for Wednesday morning to get it looked after. I'll post the results and my opinion of the shop afterwards.
I don't know what type of oil the hubs had in them before I had them all changed last fall. The hubs were not dis-assembled, the old oil was sucked out and then the hubs were re-filled. Filled only to the "Add" line, not the "Full" line. The tag hubs have the Stemco covers and rubber plugs. The rubber plugs have small vent holes in their centers. Both vent holes were clear. The front hubs have a different brand that I don't recall. Their plugs don't have vent holes that I could see. May take another look to double check that.
Joe
My x Foretravel dealer chassis mechanic is the one who mentioned the lack of complete removal from sucking the oil out.
Having read all the comments from members on this subject I thought maybe I'm mistaken, unlikely as I have over the years done brake and bearing jobs in the hundreds. So I went out and pulled the hub caps off both front wheels and checked the plugs for holes I'm proud to report that there are no holes in my Stemco plugs.
My axles are 1987 manufacture so maybe something has changed ?
Check with Stemco and ask if there is suppose to be a vent, my Stemco plugs have a vent.
Bill ^.^d ^.^d
To see the hole in mine you have to bend the plug in half to see it only the size of a needle hole.
MEA CULPA MEA CULPA
Following Craneman's detailed instructions I found small orifice ......OK a Hole in the red plug. There I said it ! :-[ :-[ :-[
Monday I'll go to the Optician ^.^d
I had a leak on the driver rear axle which caused the brakes to lock on that side and shear the rotor. The pads were welded to the rotor .. amazing how much better the brakes work when they all grip when trying to stop..
Had the same thing on our coach when we bought it...so since it was in the shop already did both brakes (pads & rotors) on drive axle. (>:
Update:
We had all four seals replaced by:
Jerry and Keith's Inc. Truck and Trailer Repair
2814 Landco Dr.
Bakersfield, CA
Though only time will tell if they did a good job, I came away with a warm fuzzy feeling. They let us park in their parking lot the night before the appointment and got started on it first thing. They finished it in one day. The total cost to do both tags and both ends of the steering axle was $1,276.00. I would recommend them if you need help when in Bakersfield CA.
I double checked the plugs in the steering axle. Still don't see a hole. They are Spicer plugs.
I don't know why the seals all started leaking in the last few months, but I assume the hubs had conventional oil in them before I had the oil changed last fall and the old seals couldn't retain the new synthetic oil.
Joe
Check the Motorcader issue 35 summer 2015 page 11,you can see DA HOLE.