Greasy wheel

CountingFireflies · September 08, 2011, 06:34:43 PM

So the bus is well overdue for a wash. Road grime and exhaust. Each day this month I've been watching the wheel lugs get more and more oil oozing from the threads. It's also creeping up the braiding of the air filling lines. Its on almost all corners of the bus, and in different amounts. Where is it coming from? Is it something urgent to service? It's easy enough to wash off and ignore, but the curiosity is killing me! Btw, we drive an MCI 102c3.

viking1 · September 08, 2011, 06:38:47 PM

not sure what the right term is, but its probably from the (think its called) slingers or hub lube. In the middle there is a little rubber plug and thats where u fill them, at least thats how it is on my 102C3. the plug might be leaking. I would think YES not good. I had to replace the whole unit on one of mine. Comes with a new gasket and rubber plug and 4 or 6 bolts

Jriddle · September 08, 2011, 07:03:56 PM

Not sure if you explained this one well enough to get a good feel for your problem. Can you take some pictures to see what you are talking about. Maybe others aren't as hard headed as me LOL.

John

luvrbus · September 08, 2011, 07:19:16 PM

Over filling the hubs will cause your symptoms when the oil level is correct you see about a 1/4 of a inch in the hub seal if you fill till it runs out it will blow oil

good luck

CountingFireflies · September 12, 2011, 09:15:58 AM

So let me see if I've got this... Each axle has fluid in it to lube the internal moving parts. There is a bung hole towards the center to fill them, and possibly a sight glass to check the level. If the level is too high, it will leak out the hubs and nuts.

How did I do?

Busted Knuckle · September 12, 2011, 09:25:23 AM

Quote from: CountingFireflies on September 12, 2011, 09:15:58 AM
So let me see if I've got this... Each axle has fluid in it to lube the internal moving parts. There is a bung hole towards the center to fill them, and possibly a sight glass to check the level. If the level is too high, it will leak out the hubs and nuts.

How did I do?

Pretty good! Now just one more thing that has not been mentioned yet.

Clifford aka Luvrbus mentioned if over filled they will leak and he is correct.

But also the little rubber plug has a vent hole in the middle of it that needs to be opened up once in a while so it can "breathe" if it gets pluged up it will cause pressure to build up and then oil will blow out where ever it can. This is a tiny hole right dead center of the rubber plug an I usually just straighten a paper clip and run it through the hole every so often.

BK

Jriddle · September 12, 2011, 02:11:24 PM

Quote from: CountingFireflies on September 12, 2011, 09:15:58 AM
So let me see if I've got this... Each axle has fluid in it to lube the internal moving parts. There is a bung hole towards the center to fill them, and possibly a sight glass to check the level. If the level is too high, it will leak out the hubs and nuts.

How did I do?

The drive axle will be serviced in a different spot. Mine is on the pumpkin about half way up.

John

buswarrior · September 12, 2011, 03:02:07 PM

I would be immediately checking the inside of those wheels to see if the axle seal is leaking, and covering the brakes in axle lube.

It won't stop right under heavy braking with lube on the brake linings.

The axle seals need to be replaced periodically, depending on age and mileage.

A mainline fleet would put fresh ones every time the wheel end is disassembled, so annually for inspection, or for a brake job.

A busnut might stretch that out further...

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Busted Knuckle · September 12, 2011, 06:22:38 PM

Quote from: buswarrior
A mainline fleet would put fresh ones every time the wheel end is disassembled, so annually for inspection, or for a brake job.

A busnut might stretch that out further...

happy coaching!
buswarrior

An a po' busnut would stop by and ask the mainline fleet mechanic if he had any take-offs for free!

BK

Jerry32 · September 13, 2011, 03:34:07 AM

I know my rubbr plugs get worn or shrink some and start leaking it's time for new plugs. Jerry

thomasinnv · September 13, 2011, 10:44:01 AM

I just replaced my plugs cause they were leaking bad. they were pretty shriveled up.

CountingFireflies · September 13, 2011, 05:21:39 PM

So I have an appt. on Monday for a lube oil/filter at a garage in east Vermont that has a pit. I'd love to have the mechanics replace the plugs while they are under there. I've been googling quite a bit for MCI parts. Is there an after market manufacturer of these, or do I need to order them from the manufacturer?

robertglines1 · September 13, 2011, 05:24:42 PM

plugs are not under there!they are on your axle ends center of your wheels tags and steering

Rick 74 MC-8 · September 13, 2011, 07:47:10 PM

I think they are Stemco I replaced the hole thing with gaskets $19.00 each iirc

Rick

AndyG · September 14, 2011, 07:32:40 AM

Take a look at this hub cap.

http://www.ryderfleetproducts.com/ryder/af/ryder/core/content/product/srm/key/W86%203034009/pn/Hub-Cap-With-Plug/erm/productDetail.do

The plug everyone is talking about is the red one in the center. They will also leak if the gasket under the aluminum part fails. You will see the clear plastic around the red plug. The clear section is so that you can see the oil level in the cap without removing the plug. The correct oil leve is usually marked on the cap. You bus should have 4 of these hub caps. (steering axle and tag axle).