How often should wheel bearings be repacked or checked?

buswarrior · March 27, 2012, 12:49:54 PM

The other problem that a low mileage busnut will run into referring to the commercial duty cycle...

the axle seals.

Nobody in the real world can predict how age will come into play on our low mileage and long sitting situations.

And, you want to inspect and do maintenance on the brakes periodically. So a tear down of the wheel end for a variety of preventive maintenance reasons on some cycle would be good, and be earlier than some of the bits and pieces could go.

Also, for those who park the coach for months over the winter season, have some way to block the parking brakes so that the shoes don't rust to the linings. Or, air it up and move it a half wheel turn periodically through the off season.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Busted Knuckle · March 27, 2012, 12:58:14 PM

Brian trust me on this I can assure you your bus had AT LEAST a million & 400,000 on it when you bought it!

Trust me on this, I know commercial vehicles and can garuntee it had way over 400,000 when you bought it.

BK

That is unless it sat on Bobby's lot 5 or 6 yrs before he sold it to you!

Zeroclearance · March 27, 2012, 01:27:47 PM

If it has 1.4 million on it, he should get the repair history on the bearings or "just" replace them.

Busted Knuckle · March 27, 2012, 01:55:07 PM

Quote from: Zeroclearance on March 27, 2012, 01:27:47 PM
If it has 1.4 million on it, he should get the repair history on the bearings or "just" replace them.

He bought it from Bobby Easter of Easter's Bus Sales ..................

Need I say more? I can assure you there are/were no records. But he knows the history of them since he had C&J do all that when he brought it home.

BK

Zeroclearance · March 27, 2012, 02:38:33 PM

Hopefully his Series 60 been inframe'd. I would be checking the bullnose assy for backlash. Brian checked mine this past summer at 240K, when I installed a aux drive gear and updated my Jakes, new updated turbocharger, and radiator.

dolson · March 27, 2012, 02:51:11 PM

I do not want to get this thread off topic but this seams somewhat relevent. I have replaced all of my wheel bearings about 4K miles ago. My front drivers side has started making a clicking sound more noticeable at low speed. Not sure this is the bearing, but its not a rock in my tire. Could this indicate too loose or too tight of a adjustment? Does not do it when it is off the ground and adjustment feels good.

Busted Knuckle · March 27, 2012, 03:10:04 PM

It could mean that Doug. Or it may just be an improperly torqued aluminum wheel!

BK

buswarrior · March 27, 2012, 03:13:07 PM

The bearing people have fairly exacting standards for bearing installation.

Another one of these things where many in industry keep using and promoting antiquated methods.

Here's a two page industry best practices technical guide from Stemco. The first page is general bearings, the second page is for their Pro-Torq brand.

These were arrived at by the Technical and Maintenance Council of the American Trucking Associations.

http://www.todaystrucking.com/images/740-wheel_bearing_adjustment.pdf

http://www.trucking.org/Federation/Councils/TMC/Pages/default.aspx

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Ed Hackenbruch · March 27, 2012, 06:01:32 PM

Like BK says, check your lug nuts. Sounds like one or more is loose to me.

belfert · March 27, 2012, 06:05:11 PM

Quote from: Busted Knuckle on March 27, 2012, 12:58:14 PM
That is unless it sat on Bobby's lot 5 or 6 yrs before he sold it to you!

Bobby actually had the bus on his lot for at least three years. The title to the bus was in the name of Easter bus sales. The title had been issued to Easter's three years before they handed the title to me. I suspect the bus had been repossessed based on the condition of brakes and such, plus it appears the operator had gone out of business before I got the bus. The bus issn't in nearly as bad of condition as some other Dinas I've seen up close with lots of miles which leads me to my mileage estimate which could be way off.

I have no service records from before I got the bus, but I had all of the bearings replaced when I got the bus home. I changed the transmission fluid/filters and coolant for the second time this past summer. The rear differential fluid has been replaced at least once since I've had the bus. Brake shoes and drums were replaced when I first bought the bus.

I really have no idea how often greased bearings should be repacked when in RV service instead of commercial service, but I suspect 100,000 miles is way too long when it will take me over 10 years to accumulate 100,000 miles.

TomC · March 30, 2012, 08:55:41 AM

Virtually all trucks have oil bearings on the front axle. Most trailers do also, although there are permalube grease bearings available for semi trailers now. The first thing I had done to my bus when I bought it-before bringing it home from Portland, Or was to have the front axle bearings changed to oil. In over 35,000miles and 18 years, have never had a leak-the bus is parked indoors also.
If I still had greased bearings, I would pull the wheels and repack every year before your big trip of the year. I personally don't like greased bearings-and neither do the truck manufacturers. Good Luck, TomC

edroelle · March 30, 2012, 03:36:05 PM

I have changed many bearings. Being a bearing engineer for a number of years, and understanding the reliability of various sources, I always select Timken bearings. (Although their quality may have changed, that is the best information I have.)

I have gradually changed from oil filled to grease on my bearings. Our coaches have relatively little use. Thus, I have gone by Luke's recommendation and rationale. Seals age and spindles may have some wear. The grease is more forgiving. Just my 2 cents.

Ed Roelle
Flint, MI