Hub Nut

peterbylt · July 31, 2019, 06:32:09 AM

I cut the welds off with an angle grinder and pulled the nuts off.

The Hub finally came off with a little persuasion, hub actually looks to be in good shape, will need new bearings.

The threads on the spindle are pretty well shot, the spindle looks a little bent at the end and the inner race on the outside bearing was cracked.

I could tell this was not the first time a nut had been welded on to this spindle.

I talked to Luke at US Coach about my options, he recommended I look up the Axle Doctor, I contacted the local guy, he will come out to where the bus is and cut the end off the spindle and weld a new one on, he's been doing it for 40 years.

I need to pull the axle on the curb side to see if we have any more surprises before I make an appointment.

Then new bearings, seals, a couple of lug bolts and Brake linings.

Peter

chessie4905 · July 31, 2019, 06:35:25 AM

That seal surface looks pretty messed up also, or is that a replaceable rub ring?

peterbylt · July 31, 2019, 07:29:50 AM

Quote from: chessie4905 on July 31, 2019, 06:35:25 AM
That seal surface looks pretty messed up also, or is that a replaceable rub ring?

The Axle doctor says they cut the axle housing back before the seal surface and replace everything.

Peter

Boomer · July 31, 2019, 09:15:23 AM

You chose the right avenue. I have had Axle Master replace spindles before and the finished product was very impressive and not prohibitive as far as cost. Pull down the other side and repair as needed while he is there to check everything for straightness.

buswarrior · August 01, 2019, 05:35:50 AM

Always good news when a plan comes together.

Take a bunch of pics and report back how it goes!

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

chessie4905 · August 01, 2019, 06:13:46 AM

Yes, definitely check other side doing a second spindle while he is there isn't going to be double since travel time is for getting to you, not per stub.

DoubleEagle · August 01, 2019, 07:20:49 AM

Did the previous owner give any hint of this problem when they sold the bus to you? If not, it sure looks like a fast one has been pulled to avoid having to spend money. They surely should have known you would have discovered this problem at some point. I guess pulling the axles will become one of the check points when checking a bus for sale, if you can't trust the person selling it.

oltrunt · August 01, 2019, 06:51:51 PM

Wow! For a bunch of bad luck you sure had some really good luck! That broken inner race could have progressed to a fatal accident. People are unbelievable at times. Makes a person want to grab them and beat on the top of their head until they are whistling through their zipper

Jack

peterbylt · August 13, 2019, 12:42:43 PM

It has been a few weeks, a lot has been done, a lot still to do.

I checked the Spindle on the curb side, everything was good except the axle seal was bad and everything was soaked in oil and caked with brake dust and road dirt.

The Axle Doctor Scheduled me for Sunday morning at 10 am (his call), Arrived on time and got to work.

I had stripped everything down to the Spider, after removing the 6 bolts it was still attached with 3 large solid rivets, those were cut off and driven out and the Spider came right off exposing the axle flange.

After making multiple measurements, and drawing multiple lines,
He got to work with his cutting torch and shortly had the end of the axle housing sitting on the ground and the end of it beveled.

At this point it went sideways a bit, According to the Doc, the axle is an oddball size and he did not have a base plate for the alignment jig that would fit, He ended up going back to his shop to machine a new one, he was back three hours later and mounted the newly made base Plate on the axle Flange.

Then he took the new spindle they had machined and mounted it in the alignment jig using the inner and outer bearings and the Preload nuts, then mounted it to the Axle flange and base plate, the new spindle was already beveled.

After measuring and adjusting many multiple times he tacked the spindle in place through three openings in the alignment jig.

The Jig was removed, after another round of measuring and test fitting of the hub and axle he welded the entire beveled area up solid and then ground it flat enough to fit the Spider back onto the Mounting flange.

You cannot tell it was ever replaced.

I am still cleaning some of the parts, have received a large cache of Parts from US Coach including new seals, Gaskets, Bearings, Bushings, Races, Lug bolts and Brake linings.

I still have the S-Cam bushings to replace and I need to put the new linings onto the Brake shoes and I need to source a couple of grade 8 bolts to replace the Rivets.

I hope to have it back together this weekend.

If you ever need a an Axle repaired in the Tampa Bay area, I would not hesitate to call these guys.

The Axle Doctor and Surgeons Tampa FL

http://www.theaxledoctor.com/

Peter

richard5933 · August 13, 2019, 02:37:42 PM

Incredible there are still people who have the necessary skills and gumption to get it done like he did. Most would have turned and run away.

Glad to hear it worked out.

chessie4905 · August 13, 2019, 02:41:44 PM

I appreciate you sharing this. I've heard of it being done, but have never seen the procedure. Thanks!

buswarrior · August 13, 2019, 04:32:13 PM

Excellent report!

Thanks for sharing!

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

niles500 · August 13, 2019, 04:43:53 PM

Peter, where in tampa are you?

peterbylt · August 13, 2019, 08:25:08 PM

Quote from: niles500 on August 13, 2019, 04:43:53 PM
Peter, where in tampa are you?

I live in South Tampa, near the Air Base.

The Bus lives in St Petersburg Near Tropicana Field.

Peter

peterbylt · August 27, 2019, 01:15:25 PM

Following up on progress.

All new bearings, bearing retainer nuts, Brake linings and seals, and reasonable weather (not raining), although hot, 95.

I put all new seals and bearings into the hub and mounted it on the new Axle everything went together pretty easy, It was a good feeling to screw the new bearing retaining nuts onto the new spindle.

The worst and most time-consuming part was cleaning all the parts, Gear oil mixed with Brake dust and road debris, It was like everything was coated in over an inch of thick sticky tar.

I had to scrap it off with a putty knife before cleaning it, the only thing I found that would cut it was gasoline.

Eventually I got everything clean, bolted together and the brakes adjusted.

I found a new use for my Motorcycle jack, mounting the Brake drums.

I was only able to put the one tire back on the drivers side (the other one is exploded)

Now I need to buy some new tires.

Peter