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.

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?

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Jerry

I vote for oil bath. Use synthetic gear oil. You can't wash the stuff off with a stem cleaner so sitting will not be an issue. Will also improve mileage.


Steve J

Oil bath hubs it is    I've oftened wondered how much merit there was to the argument that the upper part of the bearing woul;d go dry and rust is not moved oftened enough.

Gil

Thanks everyone for your help on the wheel bearings.


I have made my selection to go with Wingfoot(Goodyear).

After looking for a shop here in Seattle, I tried about 10 different places including Camper world, no one wanted to do the job, I did however rule out Paulsbo RV folks as I have had very bad service from them including the last time I did some work at that shop it cost me 20K in repairs for damage they cause.  Oh Well that's another story!

The Fleet Service folks Goodyear only do truck and Bus work, they told me the wheel bear repacking was routine about 1 hour per side with the seals the job will run about $250. I was ready to drive to bend for the job even though they quoted me $600. they save me the WSST 10% but I could not justify the fuel round trip.

I do plan to remove the front tires at the same time and will have them moved to my tag, my existing front tires are new with about 8K miles on them. I will buy 2 new Goodyears $606,00 each and have them placed on the front. The main axle tires are 2005 but Goodyear felt they had lots of life on them and after inspection they show no cracks.


I will plan to replace the rear mains after next season perhaps during one of are stops in Bend we save 60.00 per tire in tax  


I was going to look for the oil bath bears but the guys at Goodyear didn't feel comfortable with the job and since I had a significant saving for the repacking it just didn't make sense.

I think you came to the right decision, Jerry.  

Thanks Joel I hope you have a nice weekend

Now that the weather here in our Northwest has stabilized to what could only be described as ideal, I'm sure yours and my weekend will be very nice indeed, Jerry.

Joel