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tag axle greese seals
Back again with questions. I have a greese seak leaking on the left tag axle. Does anyone know if the seal can be replaced without removing the wheel off the studs. On my last coach (34.5′ airstream classic) the seal could be removed without wheel removal. Hopefully it can be done as I do not have a jack heavy enough to lift the tag to remove the wheel, and only have up to a 1/2 inch impact wrench. Thanks in advance!
Richard
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4 Replies
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Richard,
Year and Converter would help, there are differences between the XL’ and XL2’s.
What is leaking, the inner seal or outer hub cap. The inner seal will usually have oil on the inside of the wheel or tire and can be seen on the brake caliper. The hub cap will leak on the outside. Forget a 1/2 inch impact, won’t touch it. I just had to take mine off with a 1″ breaker bar and 6′ foot cheater pipe. My 3/4 big impact wouldn’t do the job on the tags. Someone along the line went way beyond the 450 ft lbs.
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Richard,
Depending on your type of brakes you may or may not be able to pull a hub without removing a wheel. But don’t count on it.
As Tom points out the leak may also be at the outer gasket where the axle or hub cover joins the hub. If it is the seal in the rear of the hub the problem is going to take much more effort to resolve and that includes pulling the wheel.
The article below shows a drive axle, but the concept is the same for your tag.
http://prevostcommunity.com/PDF/Prevost%20Hub%20Seal%20Replacement.pdf
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Thanks for the info. Printed out the replacement article forwarded to me. Will have my machanic take a look to see if he might be able to do the fix, if not will seek out a place to have the work done.
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The key to successfully replacing the hub seal (assuming it is the inner) is to install it in the hub very carefully so it is straight and so the inner portion of the seal rotates freely with respect to the outer portion.
If possible use a hub seal insert tool, but if none is available just be certain when it is tapped in that it goes in straight. I use a 6 X 6 block of wood and tap it in by going all around the perimeter slowly not allowing it to get cocked. When you are done it is vital that you insure the hub has oil in it and if you want to be certain you will not run the bearings dry grease the bearings so they are pre-lubed.
It typically takes an hour and a half to two hours and it is not particularly difficult. Any truck mechanic or a mechanic that works for a charter bus or school bus garage can do the job.
Did I say to make sure the bearings have grease either by filling the hub or greasing them? It takes forever to hub oil to oooze past the bearings so be patient when filling the hubs with oil.
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