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White smoke from passenger rear axle
in Richland Washington after a great trip from TN. Noticed white smoke from the rear of the bus. Pulled over and after a while saw a blck fluid leaking down the inside drive tire. Called the nearest Prevost certified center who diagnosed a blown rear wheel seal. Great! Was able to limp to Northwest Equipment sales in hermitston, OR. They are listed as a Prevost Certified repair facility. Closed but was able to get into their lot. Tomorrow (Friday) I hope they have the part and can get it done. I continue to buy a new coach piece by piece (LOL)!
Any ideas or suggestions about anything else to check as well as about what it should cost to fix. The main office of a Northwest said its about a 2 hour job.
Chris
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2 Replies
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smoke is not a good indicator however, if it is a seal only then 2-4 hours and seal. Make sure they lift the opposite side of the axle once repaired to get oil back to that side.
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Chris,
Jeff is correct in what he has said, but when you said smoke that really got my attention and I want to express some serious concern.
If a hub seal leaks the usual result is oil showing up on the wheels or tires. On the drive axle it usually shows up visble from beneath the coach, looking across at the inside of the inner drive tire and wheel. By the time it shows on the outside a lot of oil has leaked and been spread around. Your rear bearings are being lubed by that oil you see, and that oil comes from the differential.
Once the oil has leaked out in sufficient quantities the bearings are not getting properly lubed. The fact you have smoke says strongly something is hot. If you saw the smoke in the mirror prior to slowing to stop something got really hot. If that is the bearings you have a very serious decision to make. Do you risk further travel and the high potential you can literally twist the end off the axle housing, or do you get a professional to pull the axle and hub to check the bearings on the spot or do you put the coach on a trailer.
I know you are at a service facility, but I want you confident they understand the significance of this, and just getting the leak repaired is not enough. Call me or Jeff if you have any question regarding what I am saying. This should not be taken lightly.
865-329-0467
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