Drive axle is damaged

[Scott & Heather]

Yep, you guys are spot on. Axle Surgeon said they would actually replace the spindle. Not going that far yet as the mechanics here are not convinced the damage is very severe. He thinks properly setting the preload with new seals will solve the issue. We will see. If not, then getting the Spindle replaced is the next step. A side note, is that the convention I'm scheduled to sing for in Tennessee was supposed to be at the Park Vista hotel in Gatlinburg which as of right now is on fire. So maybe I don't have to rush this fix after all. Crazy.


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[Beesme]

We spray weld spindle shafts on our machines . They spin 5k-12k 24 /7 and work very well .

[Oonrahnjay]

/// maybe I don't have to rush this fix after all. Crazy.   

        I'm thinking about things more practical than technical.

Scenario 1 -- You park your bus (family with baby inside) in a shop and they start pulling parts and call the sprayer.  The spindle gets pulled and taken to the sprayer.  He says "we're busy, we have a two-day turnaround; have it for you on Thursday".  On Thursday, you hear from them "Oh, yeah, we had a little trouble with our machines but we got your part done -- but, unfortunately, it was too close to the end of the day for Shipping to get it to the machine shop, but we're sure that they'll get it done for you quickly".  Friday, the machine shop says "The didn't tell us it was a Type 2 Heavy Duty spindle, so it will take a little set up time; it'll be done by late Monday for sure".  On Monday "we had some rush orders from our regular customers and it was hard to get time to change the tools but it was in the machine when we closed.  Be done first thing on Tuesday".  So, if you're lucky, you get the spindle back in time to have it installed on Tuesday PM.  You pay up, take your bus out of the shop for the first time in a week, and get to your next booking, if you're lucky.

Scenario 2 -- The shop where you are carefully buttons up the parts you have now, carefully fills the oil level, and does their best to get a good seat for the bearings, preload, and seals, and installs gaskets well.  You order a new part and have it delivered to the shop of your choice.  When the shop verifies that they have the part in stock, you go in in the morning, get the new part installed, and drive away.

Scenario 3 -- A careful reassembly of the parts you have (new bearings, seals, gaskets, etc. if necessary) lasts until your daughter goes off to college.

     I'm hoping that #3 works for you, but I wonder if the "high cost" #2 isn't really cheaper than #1.  (And if you need it and can get a guaranteed-time service call from Axle Surgeons, that may be perfect.)  Just thinkin'.

[muldoonman]

Our little company worked with a large trucking company out of West texas that did it all the time (axle/spindle repair) with no problems. 

[luvrbus]

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   

[brmax]

When I found out about this Fed Mogul National seal style in 80s-early 90s like mentioned, I started using them totally.
Just liked them over any wear ring, and many installed as oem?, that I didn't understand.
Anyway if needed, or it helps i have put a many national 37series oil bath type on truck axles and will go out of my way to use this style. I'm recalling prices a bit lower than a Franklin.
It was a first question when asking for big seals, is this type and brand available.
If for no other reason than to raise the line of sealing contact, the build up of brake dust at that point, other etc. etc.

Floyd

[brmax]

Hey Jim, that is a great piece of information. thanks for sharing the link, yo da Man!

and like the fact he mentions to use grease and fill hub center a bit with lube. spot on!

Axle hub bearing installation procedures

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63TD2vkMHbM

[Scott & Heather]

We just had the tags redone and filled with grease. I'm over oiled hubs. Next up will be the steers. At this point they are buttoning everything back up. S cams were installed backwards by previous owner or owner before him. Tag slack adjusters were installed backwards. Im amazed we could stop this bus. Unstinkingbelievable


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[DoubleEagle]

Tag slack adjusters were installed backwards. Im amazed we could stop this bus. Unstinkingbelievable

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And that nameless garage in Michigan did not notice! 

[chessie4905]

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.

[belfert]

I have no idea how my tag axle spindle was repaired.  I assume it was not replaced.  The spindle is obsolete and no longer available so where would they get one to replace it anyhow?

[kyle4501]

We spray weld spindle shafts on our machines . They spin 5k-12k 24 /7 and work very well .

Do they spray weld to the exact size or go they machine it to final size? 

[kyle4501]

I have no idea how my tag axle spindle was repaired.  I assume it was not replaced.  The spindle is obsolete and no longer available so where would they get one to replace it anyhow?

Axle Surgeons told me they replace the part of the spindle that the seal & bearings ride on. The new part is welded on - They don't have to worry about the end of the spindle that mounts to the suspension since they reuse that part.
Apparently, they have the tools to cut the old spindle end off & properly locate the new end for welding.

[chessie4905]

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.

[luvrbus]

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