Very loud drive axle noise

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Guy's,

Two weeks ago while on a mini vacation to eastern shore of MD, we started hearing a very loud churning noise

from my drive axle. It would only do it when I would coast without throttle.. It seemed to get worse as we neared

our destination. All the wheel hubs were cool so we decided to ride it out till we got home.  On our trip home, it

only became worse and had second thoughts about towing my H2 Hummer with this condition.. Well, I just rode

it out and made it home..

The next day, I hooked up the H2 again and made the 30 mile trip to Luke's [US COACH]. Upon removing the pinion

gear, they discovered two broken teeth on my ring gear and what seemed to be very worn carrier bearings. Then the

big decision had to be made!! Do I look for a good take-out, or have a completely rebuilt pumkin installed??

I was not too comfortable with a used take-out because you just don't know the condition of it and there is alot of

labor involved to swap a pumpkin... Having a "333" ratio gearing, there was not too many options on used anyway.

I elected to have Luke order me a rebuild. Bill Miller and Bill Jr. had me back in operation in a weeks time! Thanks Guys'!

Without a doubt, this was the right choice. Yea, it hurt my pocketbook but, I'll will get over it...[I hope]

Again, another fine job by the crew at US Coach.. 

Awaiting the next part failure!
Nick-

[RickB]

Nick

What is a "part failure"? I thought this bus thing was just kind of a "add oil" once in a great while  hobby.
Am I missing something? You kinda scared me
there. I thought you were suggesting that these things break down once in a while.

[RickB]

Nick
Good news on the repair.
Rick

[Busted Knuckle]

Nick,
You know YOU will never have a problem with that rear end again after replacing it with a NEW one! The amount of use the buses see as conversions are nothing compared to what they saw in younger life of revenue service!
I've actually had very good success with used pull outs back when I was "repairing" other peoples buses. (my uncle had 3 different buses lose rear ends in as many months, replaced everyone of them with take-outs and never had a problem again as long as he owned them!)

And on a side note I happen to have a good take out in very good condition from an MCI with 3.33's if anyone needs one.
  BK 

[Paso One]

Wow Nick!  a 30 mile trip to Luke's   What a lucky guy

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Nick

What is a "part failure"? I thought this bus thing was just kind of a "add oil" once in a great while  hobby.
Am I missing something? You kinda scared me
there. I thought you were suggesting that these things break down once in a while.

Funny Rick...Lol

[Gary '79 5C]

Good for you Nick,

Glad to hear you are back on the road. I did see your beautiful coach when I stopped in one day @ Luke's.

I also think I have you beat by 2 miles, 28 miles from Woodbine Apt to US Coach.

Take care, sorry I did not run into you.

Gary

[FloridaCliff]

Without a doubt, this was the right choice. Yea, it hurt my pocketbook but, I'll will get over it...[I hope]
Nick-

Nick,  I know you used the "Buy cheap, Buy twice" rule in this decision.......  

If I'm paying for labor.....I hate to do it twice.....

Cliff

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Gary,
I missed you again... Lol

Cliff,

Yup! "Cheap Pays Twice"

Nick-

[artvonne]

  So is this another spare part we need to take along on the Alaska trip? Curious what the failure rate is on ring and pinions in a Bus. Is the failure rate higher on V8's than 6's, ie Higher fail rate with higher HP, or are the R&P's tougher on the bigger units?

  Im asking from the perspective of boosting power output, are we gonna blow the drivetrain because of an increase in torque?