Front Wheel Hubs

[Lin]

I noticed that the front hubs on my 5a had accumulated moisture on the hub face. It's not so much that I think there is a real problem.  Probably just long term leakage from the plug.  The oil levels are okay, but I could fit a little more in it.  Does anyone know what gear oil to top it off with?  Should I just pour it in the plug hole or squirt it into the 3/8th hole on the inside?

[bevans6]

I use Lucas hub oil.  It's the right stuff for wheel bearings, and is very viscous so it doesn't seep out.  The 3/9" plug is a drain hole.  I just take the rubber plug out to add oil, but the plug would work fine if it was on the "up" side.

Brian

[chessie4905]

Plugs can harden and dry over time and cause oil migration. If they are old, maybe they could need replacing.

[Lin]

Thanks for the info.  My manual seems deficient on this subject, although it looks like it is saying to use a GL2 lube.  Mine does not have a small drain plug that I can see-- just the larger end plug itself, which is probably a bit dried out. 

[buswarrior]

Fresh plugs are available at the parts jobber near you.

Take one with you as a sample.

Fresh plugs on an old wheel end communicates a potentially positive message about underlying preventive maintenance to those who have an enforcement style eye...

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[bevans6]

BE AWARE that the transparent window that the plug fits into is kind of a unique size for MCI's.  It took a lot of looking to find a pair when I broke one taking the old hardened plug out of the hub cover on my MC-5C.  After a lot of looking I found a part number, then after a lot of calling I found two (only two!) units on a shelf in a truck store in Detroit, they would not ship and I had to call my sister to go get them.  In the odd coincidence dept. I called her, and explained my issue and gave her the address, she said she drove past that store twice a day on her way to work...

Anyway, be careful with the plug and don't break the plastic bit it goes into.

Brian