[Peter]

Was it a drive axle seal if it is it should get 85/140 that’s what’s in rear end unless somebody put something in different than that the same can go in steer and tag unless somebody add different weight oil , a lot of people will run Lucas oil in tag and steer really need more info to give the right answer!!!!!!!!!

Is it regular gear oil or synthetic oil ?????

[David]

yes it was the drive axle. I have no idea what type of oil or weight . I am going to change all fluids/filters before we take it out for our first real trip. just trying to get her up and running, Replaced batteries , tires, inverters, next is to update the TVs

[Bernie]

85/140 gear oil is what’s usually in rear end

[Archived]

BEFORE YOU DRIVE THAT COACH MAKE CERTAIN THE BEARINGS IN THE HUB ARE LUBRICATED OR THE DIFFERENTIAL HAS BEEN FILLED AND TIPPED TO GET THE NEEDED OIL INTO THE HUB.

If it appears I am stating the obvious I am sorry, but the most critical part of hub seal replacement is making sure the bearings are not run dry. Over the years we have had two Prevost owners twist the end off the axle after just a few miles of driving because the hub was not filled with oil or the bearings had not been well greased.

[Dick]

Thanks for the heads up! what i did is this , I drove the coach up on 6 inch ramp on the side that i replaced the axle seal on; so the oil would run to the other side. Replaced the seal , filled the axle up to edge of the housing/hub put the axle back. What do you guys think? Thanks for all the advise!

[Archived]

That might not be enough. I had drive axle seals replaced at Jeff Rowe’s and he went to great length’s to “tip the bus” with his wheel lifts to get lube over into the bearings. Then he had me stop and check the hubs for heat after a few miles to make sure everything was “OK”.

[Archived]

We pre lubed the bearings dick packed them with grease first then put back together and let oil run over to that side

Did you take out bearings and inspect them ?????

Did you just replace the axle flange seal , the one on outside the paper gasket ?????

[Dick]

Busnut,

You likely should get the axle you did not repair up on the ramps and leave it there for an hour or so after you have checked or filled the differential. To get lube oil into the hubs it has to pass through the bearings and the space between rollers is small so it takes time for it to flow into the hub. This applies to the steer and tag hubs also and after servicing them you can see how slow the oil drains from the cap through the bearings.

I do the same thing Jeff does and raise the opposite side to get the oil to flow into the hub, but just in case I fail to get a sufficient amount I do as Peter mentions and hand pack the bearings with high temp bearing grease. I always inspect them carefully.

Also, after installing the hub seal, before starting to slide everything together I make sure the inner portion of the seal rotates freely within the outer portion just to assure myself I did not do anything that would have pinched the two parts together. If that happened I would be soon replacing the seal again.

[Eric]

Is this the same process that would be done on a semi-tractor like a Peterbilt or big Volvo? Is the drive axle on the Prevost the same as the drive axle on a semi? or is a different one used on the buses?

[Archived]

I believe they are similar, not necessarily the same.

Any truckers know the differences apart from it running backwards?

[jack]

It appears to be very similar to the rear-rear axle on a tandem tractor. We used to pump oil into the wheel end when putting it back together after a seal change. Pump the bearing area full, slide the axle in part way and put some more in. Then check the level at the fill on the housing, making sure that is full. It should be full enough it starts to run out when you remove the plug.

We always checked the bearings as kind of a safety check. Never going to be easier to do, then when you are into it for the seal.

[joel]

Thanks guys for all the advise… i will take your guys advise. I put 1 QT of oil in(it started to come out) i will drive it up on the ramp on the other side and let it sit overnight.. I am going to take in get level 3 service done. hope i dont need to take a second out on the house!

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1999 XLV X-6872,  liberty #440

[Archived]

Before I commit to a Level III read carefully every thing it includes, determine if something on there has already been done and might not be required, then figure out what is not on there that should be done.

I keep hearing everyone say they are getting a level III service but the Prevost maintenance schedule shows a whole bunch of things that are staggered with respect to both time and mileage and that assuming a single service keeps the coach up to date might not be correct.

Is the coolant service current? Has the transmission fluid been changed at the required interval? What is the condition of the air dryer? Have you or anyone drained the air tanks in the proper sequence to look for moisture or to verify operation of the check and protection valves? When was the power steering filter changed? Air bags? Brake chambers? Has anyone recently checked the steer axle components such as bushings, tie rod ends, etc? Shocks? Shock and sway bar bushings? Air filter? Hoses (all including anything the converter installed on the cooling system), air hoses (chafing, cracking) etc. I just scratched the surface of things that are part of required maintenance that at some point need atention.

[Archived]

To add to Jon’s comment, anything you ask them to check or do outside of the Level 3 items will likely incure labor expense.

[Archived]

Thanks for all the advise. i really dont when the coach has had a service check done on it. I purchased the coach from a estate. The wife has no idea on any records , books etc….

Well I found out why the axle seal was leaking. I did what you folks said to run it up on the ramp on the oppsite side and let the oil run over to the side i replaced the seal on. GUESS WHAT! the dang thing was still leaking .. I Took the axle back out and checked flange real close . darn bad luck! the flange is bent..I happen to know where there is a H3 for parts ,do you think they are the same?