Wheel bearing

[Jerry Carr]

While reviewing the PM list, I see "Wheel Bearings @ 30K" on the list.

What is the best approach in dealing with the bearing to re-pack them (quoted $600. at bend) or is it better to replace them with the oil style ( about the same price at bend.}


If I do replace them, what would be the positive/negative results?

With the factory grease bearing (we drive 5K miles/year), we would be good until the next set of tires, although I understand that the bearings should be repacked annually. If we do the repack, that's a big bill every year!


This makes the oil bearing more attractive but I don't know the down side to oil bearings other then you need to be diligent in you pre-travel PM.

[Jeremy Parrett]

My 2000 Marquis has oil bath type bearing lubrication.  The plastic oil sight "glass" is now so opaque, I cannot see the oil level.
Gerald, where would I get replacements for these sight glasses, if there is not a way to clean them?

[Marty and Suzie Schenck]

My Thunder has the oil bath style. If you look at the trucking industry (from which I retired) about 95% of the trucks on the road have the oil bath type. The sight glass on an oil bath system can be replaced with a kit for about $20.00. If it were mine, at wheel bearing grease time, Id' change it over. Marty

[Joel Ashley]

As you may recall from an April thread on the subject, Jerry, there are multiple opinions.  I lean toward one that Bill Sprague mentioned, although he switched to oil:  if your coach doesn't sit parked very long and gets a lot of miles, oil may be best, since the upper part of the seals don't have time to dry out and become susceptible to leaking.

In your case, at only 5K miles a year and probably winter storage, I'd stick with grease.  According to Bend advisors and other sources, annual or even biannual repacking isn't really necessary, esp. at your mileage use, and you won't ever have to deal with a faded sightglass either, or check them with each walkaround.

 http://forum.bacrallies.com/m-1302726641/s-3/highlight-wheel+bearings/#num3

-Joel

[Tom and Pat Fudale]

I just had my wheels repacked at a local truck shop for $300.00.  $600.00 seems a little high.

[Jerry Carr]

Thanks for the input, I wonder if the $600 quote from Bend included the rears?

Joel I think I will just do the repacking at a more reasonable time frame, maybe every 3-4 years.

[Jeremy Parrett]

Hi Marty and Suzie,
 Our 2000 Marquis has a Meritor front axle I think. Are these sight glasses the same on all axles or do we need Meritor type?  Any ideas where they could be obtained?
We are in Clayton NY en route to Ottawa Canada ,then Toronto.Canada before heading west towards Seattle OR.
    Thanks, Jeremy and Jane

[Marty and Suzie Schenck]

Jeremy, Most any truck repair facility or Kenworth, Peterbuilt, International or Frieghtshaker dealership will have access to the sight glass kit. If you get into Seattle a place called "Six Robblees" should have them. Marty

[Jeremy Parrett]

Thanks Marty.  Will get all  four changed when we get there.  Jeremy

[Marty and Suzie Schenck]

Jeremy, I'm confused. There would only be 2 unless you have a tag. Left front and right front. The rear axle bearings are lubed by the lubricand that is installed in the differential and that is sealed. No sense in fooling with that unless you have an axle seal leaking. Marty

[Gil_Johnson]

The oil hub caps on my coach are made of a syntheic plastic like material.  They only cost $20 for a replacement that includes cap, gasket, bolts, and center plug.  As for the front hubs, most suggest that those that aren't always on the move would be better with grease over oil.  The main thought being oil may not cling to the upper part of the bearings that may lead to rust and premature failure.

Gil
08 Contessa

[Jeremy Parrett]

Marty and Gil,
   My apologies.....we do have a tag axle.  We have 4 of these sight glasses, not 6 !!  
   I have read several differing accounts on this subject, and some refer to a heavy 90 weight gear oil, while others suggest something around 60 weight.  What type/make of synthetic oil should I use ?
 I am travelling, covering serious mileage.  I will stay with the oil bath for now.  I agree that those of us who are not on the road fairly continually, should consider switching to grease.

[Richard And Babs Ames]

Local orange harvesting company converted 80 fruit trailers from grease to oil seal bearings, as they are more reliable and stay cleaner in dusty conditions.  These trailers set up to 6 months without being moved and they have had no failures in 5 plus years, except for a few seals. This leads me to believe that the length of storage has little effect on the bearings.

[Jeremy Parrett]

Hi Richard,
  Your comments add to my conviction, the oil bath system is far superior to grease in every way as long as you check the sight glass regularly. I drove city transit in Toronto.Ontario.  All the buses have sight glasses, and are checked daily.  In 28 years, I never had a wheel bearing failure on the street.

[Gerald Farris]

My personal opinion is, that I will only run oil bath bearings on my coach.  Oil bath bearings lubricate better with less maintenance required. The only downside to oil bath bearings, that I have seen, is that you have to be diligent about checking for seal leakage because a leaking seal can cause low oil level and bearing failure. However, the seals that we have in heavy truck axles (diesel motorhomes) today, have a very low failure rate, and 100,000 miles on a seal without failure is very common.  My coach has 110,000 miles on it now and I am going to change the original front hub oil and seals next winter in my annual maintenance.

Gerald