Wet Hub on Steer Axle?

Topic: Wet Hub on Steer Axle? (Read 1317 times) previous topic - next topic

Wet Hub on Steer Axle?

September 28, 2010, 11:56:11 pm

How do you guys check the steer axle hub oil? Found that the only way I can do this is to almost completely pull the wheels. Have to take all the lug nuts off to remove the hub cap. If I cut a hole, it will look like heck. Anybody make a hub cap with a removable snap off or screw off center?

Re: Wet Hub on Steer Axle?

Reply #1 – September 29, 2010, 12:02:09 am

Quote

How do you guys check the steer axle hub oil? Found that the only way I can do this is to almost completely pull the wheels. Have to take all the lug nuts off to remove the hub cap. If I cut a hole, it will look like heck. Anybody make a hub cap with a removable snap off or screw off center?

When Barry Leavitt visited he showed me his good idea which i borrowed.

Drilled a hole in the center of the hubcap.

Re: Wet Hub on Steer Axle?

Reply #2 – September 29, 2010, 12:16:51 am

Well, Barry and Barry,
That does look better than I thought it would.
Thanks,
Pat

Re: Wet Hub on Steer Axle?

Reply #3 – September 29, 2010, 06:06:28 am

I have the earlier designed cap - smaller. Just pops right off.

Re: Wet Hub on Steer Axle?

Reply #4 – September 29, 2010, 01:19:58 pm

Quote from: Dave Head – September 29, 2010, 06:06:28 am

I have the earlier designed cap - smaller. Just pops right off.

How early do I have to go? Mine is a '94, earlier than yours.

Re: Wet Hub on Steer Axle?

Reply #5 – September 29, 2010, 02:17:38 pm

I just have to pop the hub caps on my 96 to look at the sight gage. If you can see a little oil at the bottom of the glass it is ok. If it needs oil the seal may be leaking, look on the inside of the wheel for evidence of a leak. Wheel hubs don't use oil like an engine, they just leak. Found this out the hard way when I added oil and discovered a few miles later that the brake was wet with oil.

Re: Wet Hub on Steer Axle?

Reply #6 – September 29, 2010, 02:33:01 pm

Quote from: Jerry Whiteaker – September 29, 2010, 02:17:38 pm

I just have to pop the hub caps on my 96 to look at the sight gage. If you can see a little oil at the bottom of the glass it is ok. If it needs oil the seal may be leaking, look on the inside of the wheel for evidence of a leak. Wheel hubs don't use oil like an engine, they just leak. Found this out the hard way when I added oil and discovered a few miles later that the brake was wet with oil.

Jerry,
I was told at Foretravel that the oil should be translucent and be at half way point of the circular sight glass (max). If the oil is has a "milky" appearance, then it's become compromised...likely with water...bad seal, and must be R&R.

Re: Wet Hub on Steer Axle?

Reply #7 – September 29, 2010, 02:51:40 pm

Hi Pat,
Our 1997 U 320 has the pop off center hub cap. Makes checking the hub fluid easy. Peter is correct on the way the fluid should look, and it's level.

Re: Wet Hub on Steer Axle?

Reply #8 – September 29, 2010, 03:53:10 pm

We know what the oil should look like and what the rubber cap should feel like, but just where can I find a pop off center hub cap. That I do not have, and if I can find one at a reasonable price....

Re: Wet Hub on Steer Axle?

Reply #9 – September 29, 2010, 06:11:49 pm

Quote from: Barry Beam – September 29, 2010, 12:02:09 am

When Barry Leavitt visited he showed me his good idea which i borrowed.
Drilled a hole in the center of the hubcap.

Barry,

Did you do the same thing on your tag "top hat" as well? I still pull off all the lug covers to remove the top hats so I can check the oil. The site glasses on our hubs have the full and add lines on them.

A trucker suggested to me that adding a small amount of STP oil treatment if the level was down just a bit as it could help with any small weeping. Don't know if anyone else has heard of this or if its true, granted its a lot thicker than 85W.

Re: Wet Hub on Steer Axle?

Reply #10 – September 29, 2010, 06:25:08 pm

Years ago when I was hauling steel across Ontario, Canada on double trailers, we used STP on the fifth wheels because the grease froze and our fifth wheel pivot point did not pivot very well. The STP in that cold weather was thicker than molasses, so I would hesitate using anything thicker than the recommended 85w gear lube.
Pat

Re: Wet Hub on Steer Axle?

Reply #11 – September 29, 2010, 08:56:24 pm

Quote

RE: Our 1997 U 320 has the pop off center hub cap. Makes checking the hub fluid easy.

--------------------
We also have easy to pop off hub caps, that don't need lug nuts to be removed.

But we still used a hole-saw to cut out the center of the metal cap to view hub oil level. This way we can check every morning or whenever we want. Even pop-off hub caps are not removed often enough.

Oil level is correct when touching the bottom of the circle line.

Re: Wet Hub on Steer Axle?

Reply #12 – September 29, 2010, 09:43:02 pm

Quote

I just have to pop the hub caps on my 96 to look at the sight gage. If you can see a little oil at the bottom of the glass it is ok. If it needs oil the seal may be leaking, look on the inside of the wheel for evidence of a leak. Wheel hubs don't use oil like an engine, they just leak. Found this out the hard way when I added oil and discovered a few miles later that the brake was wet with oil.

Quote

Jerry,

I was told at Foretravel that the oil should be translucent and be at half way point of the circular sight glass (max). If the oil is has a "milky" appearance, then it's become compromised...likely with water...bad seal, and must be R&R.

Peter & Beth Martin

Cincinnati, OH
1997 U270 WTBI 34' (Forrest)
Coach Build No. 5156
2004 Honda Element EX (Henry)
petermartin@fuse.net

How often should a mechanically guy like me have these wet hubs checked?
--

George & Sandy & Trixie
Lost in America in a 40' Foretravel aka "Moose"
Follow our adventures at http://sangeo-travels.blogspot.com/

Re: Wet Hub on Steer Axle?

Reply #13 – September 29, 2010, 10:30:14 pm

Get somebody to cut the hole for you?

Re: Wet Hub on Steer Axle?

Reply #14 – September 29, 2010, 10:55:46 pm

George, the front hub oilers should be checked everytime you change the oil or twice a year...That's what I do.

Re: Wet Hub on Steer Axle?

Reply #15 – September 29, 2010, 11:31:59 pm

Thank you, Peter. I will be sure this is done next time.

Re: Wet Hub on Steer Axle?

Reply #16 – September 30, 2010, 08:09:05 am

Additionally, as part of your daily walk around, if you ever see streaks of oil or dirt trails from leaking oil radiating from the center of the hub onto the wheel or brake, that indicates a leak and need to service the wet hubs. A dial indicator is needed to set end-play when the wheel is pulled to replace seals, so not a normal do it yourself job.

Brett Wolfe

Re: Wet Hub on Steer Axle?

Reply #17 – September 30, 2010, 10:50:03 am

Quote

When Barry Leavitt visited he showed me his good idea which i borrowed.
Drilled a hole in the center of the hubcap.

Barry, do you have a cap for the hole? I not, how do you keep debris out of it.

Bill Chaplin

Re: Wet Hub on Steer Axle?

Reply #18 – September 30, 2010, 11:14:00 am

Using a part used on aircraft, would an inspection hole cover work to protect the hub after the mod has been completed? Of course chromed if possible or some other appropriate finish. jc

Re: Wet Hub on Steer Axle?

Reply #19 – September 30, 2010, 06:31:39 pm

Quote

Barry, do you have a cap for the hole? I not, how do you keep debris out of it.

I have not had a chance to look for something to fit that size yet.

Re: Wet Hub on Steer Axle?

Reply #20 – September 30, 2010, 07:24:07 pm

There are plastic hole plugs available, like the kind we use to close off the bottom hole drilled for bulkhead repairs. But we don't use caps so our hole is wide open and we do not see debris in hub cap. It is also important to change the red rubber caps when they feel brittle and to keep the center vent hole clear in the red rubber cap.

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