Drive axle is damaged

[kyle4501]

I see the new buses since 2006 are using sealed bearing on the front and tag axle,no grease or oil.I wonder how that is going to work out over time  

My guess is that they will sell more steering axle spindles . . . . . .

In theory, the bearing should last longer since they are pre-set and less chance of contaminants getting into them. - Only problem with that is I use mine in the real world 

[kyle4501]

After spray welding, they will need to machine to correct dimension.We had some 4104 brake camshafts spray welded in the bushing area several years ago.

That has been my experience too. Can they machine an axle spindle with it still attached to the coach? Would love to see how that works!

[Jim Eh.]

Parker makes a seal that is stationary on the spindle and rotates inside the seal that works for scored spindles I had them on my Eagle they cost around 100 bucks ea   

Been using CR Scotseal Plus for almost 20 years. Zero seal failures attributable to the seal. They are two piece seals that seal internally and you "wet" them with gear oil to cause the mounting surfaces to swell and seal off any irregularities in the hub journal and spindle seal surface.

[Jim Eh.]

If you don't replace the spindle and can clean up whet is there, you might want to change, at least that side to grease type  instead of oil. If that inner bearing can move around,you'll have a tough time getting an oil setup to work. Btdt. Think of cleaning all that oil mess off the wheels, drum, brake shoes, and related hardware.

The hub fills with oil from the differential.

[luvrbus]

That has been my experience too. Can they machine an axle spindle with it still attached to the coach? Would love to see how that works!

They can turn a crankshaft in the engine still in the vehicle turning a spindle attached shouldn't be that hard   

[kyle4501]

They can turn a crankshaft in the engine still in the vehicle turning a spindle attached shouldn't be that hard   

Didn't mean to imply it couldn't be done . . . . I've seen a crank turning contraption, but it required the crank to rotate.

That is why I'd like to see how they would machine a spindle without it turning. That would come in handy. 

[stanton]

These kinds of  outfits used to be everywhere.
They would fix a  semi on the road!
You might have to look a little harder now , depending on your location.

http://www.axleals.com/road.php

http://www.theaxledoctor.com/

[chessie4905]

Sealed bearings have been used for years in cars and trucks, so I can see the movement on this technology. Just heavier design with larger oil reservoir.

[Oonrahnjay]

These kinds of  outfits used to be everywhere.
They would fix a  semi on the road!
You might have to look a little harder now , depending on your location.

http://www.axleals.com/road.php

http://www.theaxledoctor.com/ 

    The one most active in central NC (Charlotte, Salisbury, Winston-Salem) seems to be AxleSurgeons but there may be others, too.

[luvrbus]

    The one most active in central NC (Charlotte, Salisbury, Winston-Salem) seems to be AxleSurgeons but there may be others, too.

I never had to replace a spindle I never knew it happen so often but with all the people doing replacements it must be a common repair today

[Jim Eh.]

Just goes to show how many seal failures happen.

[stanton]

IF it was me-
I would use the expensive two piece seal . The seal to the axle spindle does not rotate , rather the seal rotates inside the seal.
Install the seal with a little 3M 5200 or other gasketless seal compound  around lip of seal ( Like Ford gray sealer.)
That probably  would cure your ailment.
  I used these seals on my commercial hydraulic boat  trailers . After going dwn the highway with say a 60 foot,  35,000 lb boat on it,  back it into the water
No problems !  
Well, not really   once a year I would change them all out . Invariably one would start leaking.
With all the salt water immersion i don't blame it.
Used in a Bus, that would be  light duty.(comparatively speaking  .)

[Scott & Heather]

Well, end result is that there is a new scotseal in there and they got everything carefully put back together and 830 miles later we aren't leaking a single drop. We will see how long this lasts. I'm checking the hub temp on both sides frequently during our trips and monitoring the backside of the wheel/brake drum for any signs of leaking. So far so good.


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[chessie4905]

As great as those seals are, they have a limit as to how much out of round they can tolerate. If the inner bearing is a sloppy fit, you'll have leaking problems even with this seal.

[Oonrahnjay]

Well, end result is that there is a new scotseal in there and they got everything carefully put back together and 830 miles later we aren't leaking a single drop. We will see how long this lasts. I'm checking the hub temp on both sides frequently during our trips and monitoring the backside of the wheel/brake drum for any signs of leaking. So far so good.

    Well, that's good news.  Hope it stays that way.