Best rear axle for our use?

Homegrowndiesel · June 29, 2014, 08:44:56 PM

I am looking for the best rear axle, for our bus conversion. I really think Disk breaks work better than any of the drums i have ever used. What HD axle has the best disk break (air) setup in the OTR trucks today? The carrier needs to accomodate something between 330- 410 ratio. I currently have stud piloted wheels, but with todays hub piloted wheels, I guess I will have to have an unmounted spare. Given the load capacity of todays tires @9000 pounds each, I should have an axle that can carry 36000#. I am looking, , if anybody can give me some pointers, I would appreciate it.

wg4t50 · June 30, 2014, 02:17:14 AM

Geez, 9000 lb tires & 36,000 lb axle, I HAVE NO CLUE, my MC7 had a heavy rear axle, 23,000 lb, that is as large as I have heard of for a single axle. Above that weight, seems only a tandom or off road equipment axles. ??
Would love to know of a single axle highway rear that was over 23,000 lb.
Military has some heavy axles, but nothing I would want to live with on a coach.
Yes Disk brakes are good, however so are the S Cam type and a lot less maintence required. My setup is the Disks and Allison Retrader, that combo makes for stops like a car, but there is a cost.
Dave M

bevans6 · June 30, 2014, 04:18:26 AM

Which bus are you planning to put this under? I have in the back of my mind that DOT weight rules don't allow over 23,000 lbs per single axle. I am nowhere near close so I never bother to learn those rules.

edit; lots of interesting reading on this subject. http://www.schoolbusfleet.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=21761 It seems you can retro-fit disc brakes to original axles in some cases.

Brian

wg4t50 · June 30, 2014, 07:08:21 AM

I Have the Disk setup, same as the Fire Trucks, it works great when in good condition, the only issue I see with the Disk setup is taking care of the slide pins and using the correct grease in the assy. Many folks fail to do this, results in very costly rotor & pad replacement when they drag and get hot % HOTTER.
If you take care of them, they are fine, I now have 107,000 miles on then, still all origional and looking nearly new, however I also have the retarder that does 95% of the braking.
Dave M

TomC · June 30, 2014, 09:17:10 AM

There are 36,000lb single axles made, but the disc brakes are only rated to 23,000lbs. I would not change my drum brakes to disc just to get better brakes. There are close to 2 dozen different brake linings made for whatever you're application may be. All the way from cold application, to dusty, to transit stop and go, to logging trucks for long down grades.

We drive such that we can take our time going down a hill. If you have a well adjusted Jake Brake, proper brake linings, brakes adjusted correctly, you should never have a problem. If you burn through your brakes, drum brakes are so cheap, just replace everything. You can get (16.5" x 7") drums for $85.00. And the lining kits with springs for about $100.00. You can't get close to that with disc brake lining or especially the discs. Keep what you have. Good Luck, TomC

wg4t50 · June 30, 2014, 09:52:54 AM

My guess on the 36,000 axles are the geared hub type, sure not for RV, some crane carrier trucks with geared hubs (Planetary type)have to stop & cool every 2 hours for 1 hour ?
Not my ida of a fun RV.
Dave M

eagle19952 · June 30, 2014, 10:59:21 AM

I'm guessing here, but I think he meant 36,000 lb GVW....I hope.
I think the team that engineered that coach did so with adequate brakes.
Probably more than adequate.

Oonrahnjay · June 30, 2014, 11:05:58 AM

Quote from: eagle19952 on June 30, 2014, 10:59:21 AM
I'm guessing here, but I think he meant 36,000 lb GVW....I hope.
I think the team that engineered that coach did so with adequate brakes.
Probably more than adequate.

... more than adequate for a coach with full fuel, a load of 55 or so passengers, their luggage, and some freight. Yeah, more than adequate ...

Homegrowndiesel · June 30, 2014, 11:21:06 AM

Yea, i do not need 36,000 # , and from the links and advise , I probably do not want disks. Looking to change out the rear in our eagle.

uncle ned · June 30, 2014, 11:35:37 AM

wg40t

That must be what is wrong with HUGGY. she has to stop at least every 2
hours.

and sometimes it takes longer than a hour before she will move again.
sometimes days

LOL
uncle ned

luvrbus · June 30, 2014, 12:27:16 PM

You trying to do away with the drop box ? if you need better brakes for the 05 install model 10 rear brakes not much to it for better brakes

eagle19952 · June 30, 2014, 10:29:54 PM

Quote from: Oonrahnjay on June 30, 2014, 11:05:58 AM
... more than adequate for a coach with full fuel, a load of 55 or so passengers, their luggage, and some freight. Yeah, more than adequate ...

Well I'm thinking 10000 lbs of passengers
2500 lbs of luggage
1000 lbs of freight
1000lbs of fuel
in a 24000 lb bus

Oonrahnjay · July 01, 2014, 09:10:04 AM

Quote from: eagle19952 on June 30, 2014, 10:29:54 PMWell I'm thinking 10000 lbs of passengers
2500 lbs of luggage
1000 lbs of freight
1000lbs of fuel
in a 24000 lb bus

Yes, unless the bus was designed for 99 passengers ... (*some* of them were!)

Homegrowndiesel · July 01, 2014, 06:30:17 PM

I am not going to give up on a good disk brake HD rear axle. I have switched over every old car to disc breaks for the last 30 years. There have been many times I have wanted better brakes on both of our busses.,, Since our rear end is cracked and has been welded up 20 some years ago, has rtv holding in 3 dif bolts, and has so much backlash, and leaks all over, it has to be replaced. (Hey, it lasted me 10 years.) After seeing Sonnie Gray's bus, 12 ? years ago, I knew what I needed to do.

If I am going to hang it all, with the new series 50, and overdrive trans, I better put in the right rear, and suspention. Though our old TORSILASTIC has taken an adjust 10 years ago, shouldnt I replace it when doing a refit? Come on guys, this is an Eagle. I have already replaced 1/2 of the main frame already. I can go air bags, or put in NEW torshion bars. Here is what they are making today. They have some more Larger than this,( 4 1/2") , that I should consider. http://www.sulastic.com/torsilastic-spring-4-x-4-large

I know, driving our MCI would be cheaper. If you have any parts for a 46, 49, 57, 63,69,, Oh no , This is about our 73 Eagle. I am going to have to hang a whole new rear clip on the back of this bird, if you know what I mean. I am looking for the best rear (to turn upsidedown) , for our bus. The powerpack I have centers the engine. Unlike the 6"offset in the current config.

Oh while I am at it, we should add some slides.

luvrbus · July 01, 2014, 07:12:41 PM

Do like Cole did on his Eagle when he installed the series 60 and B500 he wasn't giving up his boogie axle because he didn't want the 01 tag look he used the B500 with the drop box on the transmission and a regular truck rear end with a 4.33:1 rear gear in other words the Eagle drop box is gone and the Allison drop box on the transmission is a lot more heavy duty

With a series 50 it should be no problem sitting the 50 as far back as you can and flip a truck rear end and use any ratio you want without a drop box a couple of 07 Eagles in our club have that set up without the miter box and the 8v92 against the rear bumper

good luck