Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Rear axle seal leak (Read 1927 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Rear axle seal leak

Reply #25 –
I know we are talking about rear axles here, but I thought I would throw this in. If a front axle seal starts leaking I replaced mine and filled with semi-fluid synthetic grease #4 from Sentinel lubricants (instead of 90W) and installed vented outside hub seals. This product is extremely messy and tacky but we use it on all of our heavy trucks with oil bearings on steering and tag axles, it stays put and unless the seal is completely gone it will not leak. Do it once and done as far as seals leaking.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Rear axle seal leak

Reply #26 –
If it works, go with it.  Front wheel lube has many different followers such as hand packed grease  bearings, Greyhound Bus at one time used #30  motor oil like used in the DDC 8V-71 engine, I use a hub oil, that has solved my concerns too with the seepage.  But the old #90 works too.
FWIW
Dave M

Re: Rear axle seal leak

Reply #27 –
Front hub discussion bring to mind that the Stemco red rubber plug covers have a center vent hole that needs to be periodically cleared with a straightened paper clip. A plugged hole can put pressure on seals.

We replace our center covers periodically when they feel stiff.
http://www.ryderfleetproducts.com/ryder/af/ryder/core/search/productSearch.do?event=next&keyword=w86-3595990&searchCriteria=0&searchType=5&fullSentence=yes

We also have drilled out the center of the chrome-looking hub cap so we can keep an eye on the Stemco oil level. I figure that I would never remove hub cap to check oil otherwise. Hubs use the same 75/140 gear lub that goes in rear axle.

Re: Rear axle seal leak

Reply #28 –
Barry, I see you are suggesting a 1 - 1/8 inch plug. Is this the common size plug used on all Foretravels or just some? Drilling out the center of the cover so you can see the hub caps is a good idea. On commercial vehicles, you are not allowed legally to cover the window for the semco units. Thanks for this information.
Steven & Anna Lindemann
2012 Prevost  H3-45 VIP
2007 Foretravel 40' Nimbus
2014 Cadillac Escalade

Private/Charter Bus Driver-Owner
30 Years of Driving the Stars of Nashville

Re: Rear axle seal leak

Reply #29 –
Barry, thanks for another great tip.

The part number URL in your blog did not work for me in the email I received from Foreforums.

I set the browser address to "Http://www.ryderfleetproducts.com"; and searched for part number "stemco-359-5990".

I then read your blog from Foreforums and the url worked OK.

The rubber plugs on my 96 U320 are 1.125 and the breather holes are all open. I have been checking the oil level every month for the last two years and it has never gone down. I expect that the oil level would drop only if there is a leak, which would make a mess of the rim before getting too low.

I have tried checking the oil level when checking the pressure in the tires during a short break in driving (ie at a rest station). I found that the oil level always looked low, however, the oil level was not low after sitting for a couple hours. I now check the oil level before starting on a trip but do not check it during short breaks.

It sure is tempting to just overfill the front hubs, however, I believe overfilling will cause oil to leak out and make a mess.

Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: Rear axle seal leak

Reply #30 –
One thing that may or may not been mentioned, but the brether vent on the rear axle can get stopped up causing increased pressure on the axle and pinion seals. Easy to check, remove and clean, reinstall, they are screwed into the top of the axle tube (1) location.
Worth a check.

Re: Rear axle seal leak

Reply #31 –
Wyatt,

You're right.  I don't think there is any need to regularly inspect the oil level sight glass.  Once the oil level is set, the only way it can go down is to have a leak.  A quick check on the back side of the tires and around the lug nut covers for any leaKage is enough.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Rear axle seal leak

Reply #32 –
Just got the coach back from Boyer Trucks, Rogers, MN. The RR axle seal was leaking. Brakes pads were good - at 80%. Here is the breakdown:

Replace RR axle seal - $540
Differential Service - Synthetic  - $198
Peter and Tammy Fleming
1991 U300 GV 40 - Sold, owned for 4 years
Downsized to Roadtrek Popular 210 class B

Re: Rear axle seal leak

Reply #33 –
Some motorhomes I see in campgrounds, come with a hub cap that has a center hole.  I only peek at ours before starting out in the morning. And if we are not parked on a level campsite, one side will look over full and the other side under full.