How is this possible??

Topic: How is this possible?? (Read 1016 times) previous topic - next topic

How is this possible??

December 21, 2019, 12:21:11 am

I replaced the left rear oil axle seal on November 1st (1000 miles ago) . Replaced the right rear oil seal today. I'm not a believer in coincidences but I can't see see how both of them could fail so close together. Both times leak started when the rig parked in front of the house. I drive up on the curb so really fairly level. Both times leaked about a 1/2 cup of fluid and made a small puddle. No oil slung around the wheel or housing and fluid level in the rear end still OK. Checked the breather/ overflo on top the axle and it's working fine. Can't recall any unusual events ( heat related ?) Shop owner scratching his head as well. Only 86,000 miles on the rig.

Guess I should be counting my lucky stars. Under a CB for both of them at a shop I trust. In 14 days heading out south and on to Q so could of had to deal with this on the road. Just strange they both would fail almost at the same time.

Re: How is this possible??

Reply #1 – December 21, 2019, 01:12:10 am

If they were original seals, they do have an age related issue on getting hard. 29 years old would be a long life for them.

Re: How is this possible??

Reply #2 – December 21, 2019, 06:44:33 am

I guess it would behoove us to always check under the coach and look for any leaks; on a daily basis if traveling and frequently
if not traveling.

Re: How is this possible??

Reply #3 – December 21, 2019, 07:51:58 am

Not strange.

Re: How is this possible??

Reply #4 – December 21, 2019, 10:21:52 am

Quote from: 18360 – December 21, 2019, 06:44:33 am

I guess it would behoove us to always check under the coach and look for any leaks; on a daily basis if traveling and frequently
if not traveling.

I am at the pier for the winter and that's my morning project; to 'walk' the coach. Two places inside I check are the bath and kitchen areas. Remember, if you've got a leak, depending how level the coach sits, the water will gravity- find it's own exit, which is NOT where the problem is! This leak was under the kitchen sink, found it's way to the port side underneath the propane tank! I would never have noticed because of all the 'stuff' under the sink!

Re: How is this possible??

Reply #5 – December 21, 2019, 02:46:21 pm

Downside to this is every other rubber based item is also 29 years old. I think you got a very good service life out of them. I genuinely think out of the sun and summer heat is good for everything, literally everything. Even bare concrete and steel fails eventual. Guarantee the new seals won't live as long. Anytime something fails in my world I ponder if there are other components related that I should deal with now rather than latter, may not be able to do it later and will have to pay someone else too.
Scott

Re: How is this possible??

Reply #6 – December 23, 2019, 08:59:25 am

How often has the differential oil been changed? Old oil will wear seals.

Re: How is this possible??

Reply #7 – December 25, 2019, 08:04:43 am

Assuming there is a vent point on the axle. Perhaps it is plugged and contributing to the seal failure? Just a thought to consider. I will crawl under and check next time I am at the our coach....I too have a failed seal that needs to be replaced.

Re: How is this possible??

Reply #8 – December 25, 2019, 09:56:16 am

Quote from: DayDreamer – December 25, 2019, 08:04:43 am

Assuming there is a vent point on the axle. Perhaps it is plugged and contributing to the seal failure? Just a thought to consider. I will crawl under and check next time I am at the our coach....I too have a failed seal that needs to be replaced.

In the first post Steve eliminated the breather as a cause.

Re: How is this possible??

Reply #9 – December 25, 2019, 10:51:10 am

The Rockwell manual that came with my '95 called for an annual differential oil change on pre '93 axels ( that probably isn't done on many coaches ) and 100,000 mile on '93 and later do to a vent that would let moisture in versus a membrane vent on the later axels.
I wonder if you can change older vents with the new one on the older axels?

Re: How is this possible??

Reply #10 – December 25, 2019, 11:44:50 am

They are just pipe thread so using the newer vent would be easy.
It doesn't apply to any of the coaches that Foretravel made the chassis for, but my '81 FT used a Hendrickson Motor Coach chassis and the rear end had dry wheel seals. The kind that you have to use wheel bearing grease to lube. I converted it to wet axle seals by removing the inner seal on the axle and changing the seal in the brake drum.

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How is this possible??

December 21, 2019, 12:21:11 am

Re: How is this possible??

Reply #1 – December 21, 2019, 01:12:10 am

Re: How is this possible??

Reply #2 – December 21, 2019, 06:44:33 am

Re: How is this possible??

Reply #3 – December 21, 2019, 07:51:58 am

Re: How is this possible??

Reply #4 – December 21, 2019, 10:21:52 am

Re: How is this possible??

Reply #5 – December 21, 2019, 02:46:21 pm

Re: How is this possible??

Reply #6 – December 23, 2019, 08:59:25 am

Re: How is this possible??

Reply #7 – December 25, 2019, 08:04:43 am

Re: How is this possible??

Reply #8 – December 25, 2019, 09:56:16 am

Re: How is this possible??

Reply #9 – December 25, 2019, 10:51:10 am

Re: How is this possible??

Reply #10 – December 25, 2019, 11:44:50 am

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