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layoutshooter

layoutshooter

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
zorry said:
Joe, I know you don't feel lucky, buy you are.
Back when I was a rookie we didn't have mobile axle repair men.
It often meant removing and often replacing the entire axle housing.
Click to expand...

I will tell you how lucky I am when I get the bill! LOL! Just went into the shop and told them to replace the seal on the right side while they are in changing the brakes. I am down, SO, I might as well get it done BEFORE it fails. Then we are going up to FDCC for a "Glow and Blow" class on FRI, back in service on Monday. What a HORRIBLE month. :(
 
zorry

zorry

Veteran Expediter
Make note to yourself,. Watch the repairs for future problems.
It's not uncommon for seals to fail early.
Like almost instantly, if wrong part used or damaged at install.
Heartland had a unusual seal replaced at Sawyer.
Trl didn't even make it to Detroit before driver was in same shape you are in.
TA covered entire repair, no problem.
 
layoutshooter

layoutshooter

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
Is there a "pressure sensor" system on the rear end that would detect a leak earlier, while there is time to avoid the damage? Seems like it should be able to be done. It's over my head, but I wish I had one.
 
zorry

zorry

Veteran Expediter
Two things,
Temp gauge on rear would let you know that oil level was lower than usual.
There should also be a vent to relieve pressure build up. Is it clogged ?
It' often looks like a mushroom, about the size of your thumb. Grab the top and shake the top to knock dirt and grease out of airway.
Newer rears I think usually have what appears to be an overflow hose.

If you have a temp gun, as you walk around and stretch your legs you can shoot it at shocks, tires, hubcaps.
There will be minor variations . Any drastic variation can signal trouble.

Driven past an on ramp with a van that has about a dozen cameras aimed at your undercarriage ?
I believe those are heat sensing devices to detect what you are going through today.

And you are lucky. You could have had a fire.
The dual assembly could have separated. That can lead to fatalities.
 
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M

mjmsprt40

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
layoutshooter said:
Is there a "pressure sensor" system on the rear end that would detect a leak earlier, while there is time to avoid the damage? Seems like it should be able to be done. It's over my head, but I wish I had one.
Click to expand...

You wish. The problem is that wheel bearing and rear end oil isn't pressurized. You fill to the appropriate level, and then "splash lubrication" takes over from there.

I suppose it might be possible to rig an electronic indicator that would tell you if rear-end oil is too low. There's room to mount the sensors, I really don't know why they haven't done that yet.

While we're on the subject of wheel bearings: You can have the bearings filled with oil and still have bad bearings. God gave you two ears and this is what they're for: Bearings that are going bad get noisy. If you hear grinding noises coming from your wheels-- bearings going bad is a good bet.
 
layoutshooter

layoutshooter

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
Yeah, I know what bad bearings sound like. This all happened while I was rolling, so there was no chance to hear things go bad. Everything was hunky dory when we left the shipper at 1030. No fluid on the wheels etc.

OH well, "stuff happens". By the way, God may have given me two good ears but they are no longer any good! LOL!!
 
zorry

zorry

Veteran Expediter
My tire pressure monitoring system has heat alarms.
That may have detected your problem.
As you know, things were very hot back there.
 
layoutshooter

layoutshooter

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
zorry said:
My tire pressure monitoring system has heat alarms.
That may have detected your problem.
As you know, things were very hot back there.
Click to expand...

This truck does not have any of that "fancy stuff". I think I would rather be fishing right now.
 
zorry

zorry

Veteran Expediter
The TPMS is a must in our business. IMHO
Also, I wouldn't run wide based singles without them in any business.
 
spongebox1

spongebox1

Expert Expediter
Can't really chalk this up to stuff happens. I understand not everyone is a mechanic and more so not everyone knows what to look for but the obvious signs of a leak NEED to be payed attention to. The driver in question came from a very long and verified position that included maint on fleet vehicles . People get comfy in vehicles and while at first a driver/drivers do through pre trip inspections but it seems that the longer the same operators stay in a vehicle the more lax the become and the rest is history.....

Sent from my SCH-I545 using EO Forums mobile app
 

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T

ttruck

Expert Expediter
Owner/Operator
should be a rubber cap in center of hub if this is a st8 truck or larger pull rubber cap off if u can touch oil with the tip of ur pinky 1/2 inch down ur ok
 
R

RETIDEPXE

Veteran Expediter
I assume they have been driving the truck for a while, I'd
report it. Down right dangerous, huge liability, costly, I could go on. I wouldn't want 'em in my trk. Equipment neglect. 1st off, no excuse for not checking levels, pm or not, especially w/ signs of leaks. Rr end/hub grease has it's own distinct smell, it would serve well to know this smell. 2nd, drive axles hold about 4 gallons, how could u miss that greasin up the leak area and or not smell it? Layout, is it possible the shop that welded urs forgot to refill it? I recently replaced my dr axle hub bearings. One outside bearing started flaking apart after 1.05 million. Found it not by a leak or temp gun or even noise, but because my abs light stayed on. The slack threw the sensor off kilter. I was lucky to catch it before it showed up w/ the temp gun, or before it did further damage.
 
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TeamHutch

TeamHutch

Expert Expediter
Owner/Operator
Just a tip don't use regular oil when topping the hub off. These require a thicker type of oil.
 
Daffyduck528

Daffyduck528

Expert Expediter
Well, I'm driving a different truck and got brave and decided to change the hub caps all by myself. First bolt came out fine, second snapped the bolt head right off. It's in the ta shop now. Smh.
 
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