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Axle oil leak

Yahoo Message Number: 79992
Greetings

I've now suffered my 3rd oil leak of my rear driving axle. Anyone else plagued with this problem and was replacing the seal the only fix? It's disheartening to perform a walk around and see this with many miles to go. My local CAT dealer will no doubt replace the seal again. Has happened two times on driver side and once on passenger side.
Only 22k miles on the vehicle.
Thanks
Ed Myles

08 intrigue 530

Re: Axle oil leak

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79996
Something strange. You are talking about the inside wheel seal and not outside at the axle itself? Usually seals do not leak for many many miles. Should not need replacement as you describe. Please confirm just where the leak is.

Leonard

97' Magna 5418

Re: Axle oil leak

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80007
Hopefully the correct viscosity oil is being used?

Larry, 03 Allure, 30856
/

Re: Axle oil leak

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80011
Outside at Axle itself. At rim just outside lugnuts..
Ed

08 Intrige 530
#12260



[size=0px]
From: Leonard Kerns

To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, June 9, 2012 8:43 AM Subject: Re: [Country-Coach-Owners] Axle oil leak

Something strange. You are talking about the inside wheel seal and not outside at the axle itself? Usually seals do not leak for many many miles. Should not need replacement as you describe. Please confirm just where the leak is.

Leonard

97' Magna 5418

[/color][/font][/size]

Re: Axle oil leak

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80014
Repeated leaks at axle itself, is my understanding of the problem. That means the axle is not staying tight but working loose allow the oil to leak. Things to check. Bearing adjustment, make sure the bearings are not loose causing the hub to wobble, not the most likely but possible.

The axle should have cones around the studs held down by self locking nuts. Inspect the studs for wear and replace if show any signs of wear. Replace all axle cones and self locking nuts. The axle needs some kind of sealer between the hub and back side of axle. Paper gaskets used to be used. Now a good silicone/automotive based flexible sealer is used a lot. But the oil has to be removed on the hub face and the axle hub side or the sealer will not stick. Also the sealer needs some set up or dry time before using the rig. Have the axle new self locking nuts, this could be just regular nuts with lock washer-depends on axle company, torque checked and not just with an air impact, with the history of leaks, do not trust the air impact. The other thing that could be problems is a bent or warped axle housing and or axle tube. Possible because of incorrect welding of axle bracket on the housing, overheating, at the factory.

If you were close to Eugene Oregon would suggest you visit with Kaiser Brake and Alignment as they have first hand experience with correcting bent/warped axle housing caused by overheating at factory.

Last would be possible bent axle shaft. This should be checked just to be sure it is straight.

That covers everything I can think of. Others may have other insights.

Good luck on a very frustrating and strange problems

Leonard

97' Magna 5418

Re: Axle oil leak

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80017
Thanks for the indepth answer. I'm in St Louis and will pass on your comments to the Fabick CAT people here.
Ed



[size=0px]
From: Leonard Kerns

To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, June 9, 2012 5:03 PM Subject: Re: [Country-Coach-Owners] Axle oil leak

Repeated leaks at axle itself, is my understanding of the problem. That means the axle is not staying tight but working loose allow the oil to leak. Things to check. Bearing adjustment, make sure the bearings are not loose causing the hub to wobble, not the most likely but possible.

The axle should have cones around the studs held down by self locking nuts. Inspect the studs for wear and replace if show any signs of wear. Replace all axle cones and self locking nuts. The axle needs some kind of sealer between the hub and back side of axle. Paper gaskets used to be used. Now a good silicone/automotive based flexible sealer is used a lot. But the oil has to be removed on the hub face and the axle hub side or the sealer will not stick. Also the sealer needs some set up or dry time before using the rig. Have the axle new self locking nuts, this could be just regular nuts with lock washer-depends on axle company, torque checked and not just with an air impact, with the history of leaks, do not trust the air impact. The other thing that could be problems is a bent or warped axle housing and or axle tube. Possible because of incorrect welding of axle bracket on the housing, overheating, at the factory.

If you were close to Eugene Oregon would suggest you visit with Kaiser Brake and Alignment as they have first hand experience with correcting bent/warped axle housing caused by overheating at factory.

Last would be possible bent axle shaft. This should be checked just to be sure it is straight.

That covers everything I can think of. Others may have other insights.

Good luck on a very frustrating and strange problems

Leonard

97' Magna 5418

[/color][/font][/size]

Re: Axle oil leak

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80024
Many years ago in SOB my rear axle leaked. Found the problem was a plugged vent at the top of the pumpkin. Didn't even know they were vented.

Good luck.

George in Birmingham)Currently in OK City on the way to Grand Canyon) '03 Magna 6298
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298
 

Axle Oil Leak

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80148
Greetings

The cause of the 3 rd rear axle oil leak was loosened nuts. Nuts and lock washers have been replaced....we'll see.
BTW, CAT informed me there was 27 Qts of oil in the axle, so although a small amount of oil can make a mess, a severe leak would have had my dinghy looking like a sea bird after the Exxon Valdez spill.
Thanks to all who responded.
Ed

08 Intrigue 530
#12260