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Front Passenger Steer Axle
Third day of our trip heading back to Naples, FL from Indio, CA. We were making great time (driving 62-65 mph…but, long days) when our TPMS warned of 197 degree temperature coming from our front passenger steer wheel! Immediately took the next exit and were able to park in the lot of a small convenience store just outside of Hammond, LA.
Took the cover off – but, the bearing oil is right at the Maximum fill line (took cover off the Driver steer side…just to compare and, it too, is at the Maximum fill line)? So not sure whether the axel itself might be too tight, too loose or, maybe the brake is causing an issue? (Wouldn’t expect it to be either of these…since Prevost Nashville just aligned all three axles, balanced all new wheels, installed Centramatics and the TPMS just a year ago.)
Spoke with Geovanni at CoachNet (excellent service rep) to get a better understanding of our Premium coverage and service options – since we’d never had this experience or, needed to use insurance before.
1st time ever having our Coach towed – likely to be an educational day tomorrow! (Had thought about trying to drive/limp it into a place @14 miles away in the morning…but, decided that would probably be one of those frugal decisions that in retrospect we would later acknowledge as a really Dumb idea – had we done so!!!)No telling whether anyone will be able to help/take us in tomorrow – or, when? Much less how long/what repairs are needed…and, the dreaded “parts availability?”
Called Prevost PASS (they too were great to work with!) and they recommended a Prevost Network Approved service – Baton Rouge Diesel…that has experience servicing Prevost’s and other large rigs. Also, a tow service in Baton Rouge – I’m a little concerned as to whether any tow or an axle shop in Hammond will have a large enough tow truck or experience working on something this big???
We will find out tomorrow from the CoachNet technician as to whether we have to use just a local Big Wheel – Hammond, LA axle shop @14 miles away? Or, be authorized for the longer (@35 miles total) back to Baton Rouge Diesel?
Has anyone had experience with either of these shops? Any recommendations?
Thank you in advance
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9 Replies
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I don’t see the need for a tow since you’re not far from the axle shop. Were you able to confirm the heat temp from your sensor with an IR gun or by touch? You may have a brake dragging. Did you feel any kind of pull in the steering? I’ve had temps that high during slow speed and continuous braking for long periods usually in hilly country due to traffic in high ambient temps. If you could get a mobile guy to jack the front and check for a brake drag that would be better than a tow if you decide not to move the coach.
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Hi Tom,
There wasn’t anything noticeable about the way it drove (no pull to starboard, noise, etc.). I did smell something oily just a few seconds before the TPMS alarm. We are still parked from overnight – so everything has cooled down all around. I was tempted to try driving again – to see what happens. However, don’t want to cause any damage and we are unfamiliar with this area…meaning, not sure where or if we would find somewhere as safe to pull over from the interstate.
We we’re told by CoachNet that we could either have a mobile tech come out or, arrange a tow – but, not both. Was told by a local former DOT Weigh Station policeman that it is very difficult to get a mobile tech to respond in this area…much less want to jack a Coach this big up on an asphalt parking lot?
Therefore, we are going to wait for the call from CoachNet and hopefully bridge on either Baton Rouge Diesel or Big Wheels to get their recommendations.
(Have to admit…I’m very tempted to try and drive the 14-miles to Big Wheels – if they say they are capable of working on it and have any parts! Not really a fan of being towed. But, less of a fan to breaking down on the interstate. I’m sure we would hear a lot of “told you so’s” – after the fact.)
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Baton Rouge Bus Maintenance (225) 938-2670 also in Baton Rouge
Dixieland Tours (225) 273-9119 KJB Tours (225) 276-9815 -
On Facebook there’s a page called “Bus Friendly Mechanics” they have a spreadsheet of USA shops.
(4) Bus Friendly Bus Mechanics | Facebook
some do road calls
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Are you towing a car? Can you recon the road to the shop you’re talking to?
I’m with Tom. I would be inclined to drive to the shop watching the tire temp and listening very carefully to the wheel. If temp goes up, I’d pull off into a previously seen spot and shoot the bearing with the IR temp gun to confirm the temperature.
I’m fortunate enough to be acquainted with a nearby 25 year Prevost mechanic who worked for a 7 to 10 seated coach tour operator that ran all over the country. I’d probably call him for his opinion about driving 14 miles.
Last week I worked with another Prevost owner who needed a tow because his air dryer had apparently failed and he couldn’t build air pressure. I had him contact John Hawkins from Miller Industries (big wreckers) who has a Prevost and John connected him with a wrecker company that knew how to properly tow a Prevost. From what I know the outcome was very positive.
Good luck and keep us posted as to the outcome.
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I understand your concern Greg. I always carried a 20 ton bottle jack just for problems like this. Jacking up a front tire to just get it off the ground is very easy, then rotate the wheel to see if something is dragging. Just trying to give you some thought on how to get to a repair place without towing.
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Hi Tom, et al.,
I’m grateful for the advice – especially about letting the wheel cool overnight and being able to drive the @35-miles back to Baton Rouge Diesel without further incident (while also avoiding the hassle of a tow!). I’ve added the IR thermometer and a 12-ton bottle jack to our Amazon shopping list…are there particular brands/models you’d prefer over others?
FYI – Would highly recommend Baton Rouge Diesel to anyone requiring work on their Coach within that locale of LA! (They maintain the Greyhound bus fleet and service DD60’s routinely.) Their excellent Service Manager (George) and mechanic (Tim) took our Coach right in and within two hours they have it jacked, the front passenger wheel and Centramatic Centramatic off and were diagnosing for a root cause as to the 197 degree TPMS alarm.
A kind elderly gentleman took an interest in what was happening and came over to offer some experienced wisdom, as well. Turns out he was the 78-year old owner (Donald)…says he just hung around there to “sweep the floors!” 🙂
In short order, Donald had the brake caliper pins removed and was showing me the brake pads (which were in good shape). He then took hold of the brake drum and rotated it by hand…same with the caliper. He had me do a DOT test of the brakes while he checked to ensure that the calipers were compressing and releasing with the air applied when braking – and, was satisfied that they were not hanging up but, were fully functioning properly. (He was looking to see if the brakes or pins might have gotten hung up and therefore, caused the high heat alarm from the wireless TPMS sensor?)
Bottom line, Donald and Tim reaffirmed that there was no cause for concern. The steel of the bearings, brake chamber/pads/drums was engineered to withstand temperatures four times + higher without causing excessive damage. Donald suspected it might have been a faulty wireless sensor signal from the TPMS and had Tim switch the driver’s side sensor with the passenger.
He then had Tim put everything back together and use a torque lug wrench to ensure they were tightened to 450 ft lbs.
It cost a couple labor man hours – but, the piece of mind in knowing that we weren’t causing any harm to our Coach (particularly in light of the aftermaths of a few Coach fires shown recently on YouTube)…was Priceless! Fact is, Baton Rouge Diesel “could” have taken advantage of our situation and charged us for what would have been needless, costly parts. Or, had us waiting at their mercy for days! Instead, they did a very thorough analysis and inspection and had us back on the road by early afternoon!!!
Glad to report that we pulled into Pelican Lake, Naples, FL early yesterday afternoon – without a single overheating warning from any TPMS sensor! Our tire pressures varied by within 1-pound of each other from port to starboard on each respective axle (when starting cold) after Tim aired them. The entire drive to Naples they uniformly increased PSI and temperatures along each axle – with the only variance being a few degrees increase in temperature as the road and sun-facing wheels warmed.
Did I keep checking the TPMS monitor for tire pressures and temperatures more often than necessary? Absolutely!!! But, did so with full confidence and mental reassurance that the Coach was performing perfectly. Learned a lot yesterday that can be carried forward.
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Change that bottle jack to a 20 ton air jack. Have a run up block with you to be able to get the jack under the coach.
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Greg: Glad to hear everything turned out well! Consider putting Baton Rouge Diesel on the User Maps as a Repair/Maintenance facility so when another member is in the neighborhood with a problem they can benefit from your experience.
Alls well that ends well!
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