I took our 1993 Grand Villa in for a check-over since I had heard a slight squeak in the front wheel while rolling slowly through the campground. We have been parked (one drive in November) and living in it full-time through the winter. Before our summer travels I wondered if the front bearings needed repacking. The axle and frame shop (heavy duty mechanics) did an assessment (did not get to the bearings) and found that the king pins were "almost seized". Of course the recommendation is for repair and of course that represents a large repair bill given that the pins need to be pressed out and then replaced. However - most of my reading through this forum is about worn king pins rather than 'seized' ones. Steering is no problem at all (although a long-time RV friend, suggested that perhaps the power-steering might be hiding the problem). I am wondering if I should trust the diagnosis since I have felt nothing wrong. King pins wouldn't be squeaking with rolling (that is more likely a brake adjustment issue, I think).
Ideas?
Front wheel bearings on our coach are wet bearings not grease packed, yours should be the same.
Roland
Yes, yours will be wet like ours. Driving in the wet plus lack of regular lube jobs can cause the king pins to be dry. I like to take the weight off the wheels with a couple of air jacks and then lube the king pins while someone turns the steering wheel. This allows the grease to penetrate everywhere. Keep greasing until you can see the grease coming out top and bottom. Make sure the coach is chocked and secure. Wet and salty roads can also cause problems with the brakes as well as the king pins. Download the Meritor manual for how to do the maintenance. Lots of mechanics don't follow the correct procedure. Good time to check the rear also. Ask your local fire department who is good in the area for Meritor work. A lot of fire trucks have Meritor products. Avoid shops unless you are sure they know what they are doing as most don't.
The Meritor manual in PDF format. Print and carry with you: http://www.beamalarm.com/foretravel-links/PDF/brakes-maintenance-manual-mm4m.pdf
Pierce
They unlikely are worn out on your RV. Even if they are worn, if the tires are not wearing funny and you don't have steering issues, just grease them.
I am a relatively new owner of an older GV. Previous owner is unavailable and we are quite far away from the shop that did most of the maintenance until a year or two ago. My 'learning curve' is not so steep as it was when I first drove this wee beasty last June, however I have not been able to find what makes the 'wet bearings' wet. I have greased everything I can find, and know about the need to jack up the front to get grease into the top of the steering assembly (king pins, I assume). I have seen reference to oil reservoirs but have seen nothing that looks like it would lube the bearings other than the grease nipples.
Remove the hubcaps and you should see the stemco with the red plug in the center and there ate 2 lines in the plastic window that shows low and full fluid level use regular gear lube like in the rear end.
If you greased all fittings you will probably need to do a purge on the disc brakes. the manual will show you how to do that and that you should use clay based grease in the calipers. I would be skeptical on almost seized king pins
Was there any play in your king pins? If you don't have a death-wobble in your steering at high speed your king pins should be fine.
I would do what others have suggested and put the grease to 'em.
Might also consider getting fresh red Stemco plugs to ensure there is a tight seal on the oil hub. Also check the torque on the bolts holding the oil hub to the wheel. I can't remember the torque spec off the top of my head, but you can find it on Stemco's website.
One of the beloved service places in NAC redid our front wheel bearings but did not torque the oil bath hubs to proper specs, and left old dried out plugs in place. Lost the oil in the oil bath pretty quickly.
Chris
You can get the red stemco plugs at NAPA
Here is another forum's post on the wheel bearing subject: http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/26213554/page/2.cfm
Pierce
You need to grease the bottom of the king pin too. I grease twice a year in spring and late fall
And, while you are there, free up/clean the draw key nuts and retorque them. 500 INCH-LBS if I remember correctly. Two on each king pin-- one in front, one in back.
This same applies to your steer hubs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l--gh-S8904
How often should the steer hub oil be changed?
If a shop has trouble greasing the king pins with their air grease gun, the inexpensive manual models with the long handles generate more pressure. Really helps to have the weight off too. On VW buses, I have even heated the king pins with a torch to get the grease gun to work.
Pierce
Or turn up the pressure at the gun.
Try changing your grease nipples, I've seen them plugged up.
I've never unloaded the front axle. Grease flows easily to top and bottom of kingpins. Do all greasing every six months. I suspect most greasing problems come from too infrequent service.
Be aware that all grease channels are NOT the same. Some axles call for greasing on the ground, some with wheel off the ground.
Just follow what is recommended by the axle manufacturer for YOUR axle. There is a tag on the front center of the front axle that identifies it's make and model.