Thought I had a fuel leak!

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by GlobalFM001, Oct 13, 2019.

  1. GlobalFM001

    GlobalFM001 Light Load Member

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    Truck is at 205k miles, maybe it was just time.
    However I did have those wheels removed twice in the past month. Once to fix a driver tire due to a nail. The other time to replace that tire due to blowout.
    Fixed the tire in Mississippi and it blew out in New Mexico.
     
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  3. starmac

    starmac Road Train Member

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    You can generally smell a leaking seal when you do a walk around, but not usually going down the road.
    That seal actually looks like it has been leaking for a while, or else it has had a serious failure. A dragging brake can also cause one to go out. They should be replacing shoes on that one anyway.

    I have seen pieces of metal from bearings in the rear take out seals too, need to see if the oil in the hub has metal flakes in it, if it does and the wheel bearings are good, you have more problems. 205,000 is not many miles for a seal.
     
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  4. swaan

    swaan Road Train Member

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    I've seen more loose or improper set up wheel bearings take out wheel seals prematurely in my life then I can count.
    If the bearings have excessive play the seals live a short life.. I've seen this many many times.

    This is exaclly why I'm a big advocate of a tiny bit preload in any wheel bearing. I generally never have wheel seal issues since implementing this procedure.
     
    Last edited: Oct 14, 2019
  5. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    I'm the same way. Was actually trained that way during my HD apprenticeship.
     
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  6. krupa530

    krupa530 Light Load Member

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    Always a good idea as soon as you ever stop. Walk around with a temp gun and measure at all wheels ends Any big differences need investigating further Bearings. Brakes dragging etc
     
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  7. swaan

    swaan Road Train Member

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    Here is my take on it.

    Truck manufacturers and oem suppliers like eaton,meritor ect have a spec of .001 or whatever may be to eliminate any chance of human errors. They dont want to be held responsible for wheel end failures if something was set up to tight.
    It's a fine line between to tight and to loose so they set it up with a dial indicator to eliminate any problems.
    Fair enough and I understand why they do this. But trouble with this is once the bearing and races seat in after some miles now you have excessive play in your wheel end and eventually takes out your seal.
    Every new piece equipment I get after 6 months or so i check and re adjust with my methods . Never have seal problems.
     
    Troy_, spsauerland and AModelCat Thank this.
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