Trailer axle hubcap bolts question

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Freightlinerbob, Jun 24, 2014.

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  1. Jun 24, 2014 #1
    Freightlinerbob

    Freightlinerbob Road Train Member

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    The plastic sight glass on one of the Stemco hubcaps on my trailer cracked and started leaking. Stopped by a parts place bought two so I'd have a spare and went back out to replace it. I found all the bolts loose and some backed off quite a bit. Replaced the cap and checked the others. All the bolts were loose. The gaskets have always been slightly wet/ dirty from picking up dust but they've never leaked seriously.

    I've done a few years in a trailer shop, I've never seen that. Usually it's quite the opposite and the bolts are seized.

    Anyone ever see these bolts work themselves loose?
     
    Freightlinerbob, Jun 24, 2014
    Freightlinerbob, Jun 24, 2014
    #1
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  3. Jun 24, 2014 #2
    OldHasBeen

    OldHasBeen Road Train Member

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    Maybe someone has sabotaged your trailer. Have you got an enemy?
     
    OldHasBeen, Jun 24, 2014
    OldHasBeen, Jun 24, 2014
    #2
  4. Jun 24, 2014 #3
    Freightlinerbob

    Freightlinerbob Road Train Member

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    Nah. Everybody loves me. I would have seen wrench marks as well.
     
    Freightlinerbob, Jun 24, 2014
    Freightlinerbob, Jun 24, 2014
    #3
  5. Jun 24, 2014 #4
    special-k

    special-k Road Train Member

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    Trailer I pull now has a few that come loose. Never had one do that before either.
     
    special-k, Jun 24, 2014
    special-k, Jun 24, 2014
    #4
  7. Jun 24, 2014 #5
    KC Guardrail

    KC Guardrail Light Load Member

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    Chances are, they were not torqued properly when installed.
     
    KC Guardrail, Jun 24, 2014
    KC Guardrail, Jun 24, 2014
    #5
  8. Jun 24, 2014 #6
    Tmtbob

    Tmtbob Medium Load Member

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    ^^^^ I agree with that above. Soft steel bolts on an aluminum hub shouldn't back out if they were tightened properly. I've never seen that in my experience but I guess anything is possible.
     
    Tmtbob, Jun 24, 2014
    Tmtbob, Jun 24, 2014
    #6
  9. Jun 24, 2014 #7
    GrapeApe

    GrapeApe Road Train Member

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    I have seen very few come loose. It's usually the other way around, they corrode in there and are hard to get out. Maybe someone used cheap gaskets that chaffed? I have seen that on drive axle gaskets.
     
    GrapeApe, Jun 24, 2014
    GrapeApe, Jun 24, 2014
    #7
  10. Jun 24, 2014 #8
    Passin Thru

    Passin Thru Road Train Member

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    Torque to the proper ft lb and put thread lock on the bolts. In 4 million miles never had one leak even.
     
    Passin Thru, Jun 24, 2014
    Passin Thru, Jun 24, 2014
    #8
  11. Jun 25, 2014 #9
    Freightlinerbob

    Freightlinerbob Road Train Member

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    I suspect they weren't tight enough to begin with. I'll be keeping a close eye on them for a while now.
     
    Freightlinerbob, Jun 25, 2014
    Freightlinerbob, Jun 25, 2014
    #9
  12. Jun 25, 2014 #10
    JohnP3

    JohnP3 Road Train Member

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    Put a little silicon on the bolts when you install then and as thin a layer on the gasket you can. Never use thread locker.
    Just a thought!
     
    JohnP3, Jun 25, 2014
    JohnP3, Jun 25, 2014
    #10
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