How to check grease on Cottrell hub bearings?

Discussion in 'Car Hauler and Auto Carrier Trucking Forum' started by AlexCarHauler, May 31, 2013.

  1. AlexCarHauler

    AlexCarHauler Light Load Member

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    Apr 8, 2013
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    Hey Guys! someone know how to check grease hub bearing on Cottrell? too many cottrell's catches fire on the road, so, i'm so scary about this
     
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  3. AlexCarHauler

    AlexCarHauler Light Load Member

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    Brooklyn NY
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    my is 04,so its not under recalls
     
  4. eeb

    eeb Heavy Load Member

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    One thing you can do is crawl underneath with a flashlight, look way up inside the brakes at the wheelseals and make sure it's not leaking grease there. Lots of obstructions, hopefully you don't have those dust shields that cover the brake from view.
     
  5. AlexCarHauler

    AlexCarHauler Light Load Member

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    Thanks, its what i do plus check temperature by infrared termometer every 200ml. but my yard next to towing company and every two week i see how tow truck pulls cottrell caused by fire, so, i still so scared.
     
  6. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    It's not that expensive to pull the hubcap and do a visual inspection of the hub assembly. Kill two birds with one stone.

    Checking the temperature like you do is a good indicator.
     
  7. AlexCarHauler

    AlexCarHauler Light Load Member

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    Brooklyn NY
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    Yes, i was think about this, i was wanna repak bearings, but my mechanic sad can't do this because if open-have to replace, 1400 piece plus labor :biggrin_2556:
     
  8. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    You don't have to buy the hub assy unless it's wore out. You can buy just a hubcap and gasket. The bearing cartridge pressed in the hub assy is not serviceable and is what the cause of the fires are. That's what the mechanic is referring to. Meritor has a recall on it but I'm not sure if your 2004 is covered or not. You might get it free. At a minimum Meritor will pay to inspect your hubs for free to see if you have that cartridge.

    Here's a technical service bulletin on it and a full set of directions. It also includes how to inspect and replace that defective bearing hub cartridge that causes fires.

    http://www.cottrelltrailers.com/admin/uploads/meritor revised recall package 08.12.pdf

    There are more TSB's and one more older hub recall. Go to this page to read them all.

    http://www.cottrelltrailers.com/adm...dfwww.cottrelltrailers.com/product/manual.php


    Once you get that aftermarket hub cartridge for each wheel you should be safe.
     
  9. SLANT6

    SLANT6 Road Train Member

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    Can't you retrofit with a bearing cap that has a rubber plug so you can check hub oil? Also, as another poster said, take a look for leaking wheel seals from the inside. Another habit to get into is to make a mental note of the ground when you park, and what stains are on the ground. Then as you walk up to your rig, take a visual scan of leaked fluids on the ground.

    On another note...I have had to replace complete axles on a Cottrell due to another shop not checking brake bracket bushings on the slack adjusters. Once they go bad, you cannot weld on new ones or repair them. It is a new axle!!
     
    Speedloader Thanks this.
  10. AlexCarHauler

    AlexCarHauler Light Load Member

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    Yeh, Cottrell was recalling 2006-2011 trailers, my is not under recalls. I was call to Cottrell, and guy sad me is not cartridges for sale, jus all hub. He sad this is special hub and made in Germany, and cost 1400. My truck is 850k on it, so, I don't know it's the time to replace?
     
  11. AlexCarHauler

    AlexCarHauler Light Load Member

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    Apr 8, 2013
    Brooklyn NY
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    No, it's can't be retrofitted, it's grease not oil filled hub. and i know yours problem about scam bushing bracket. i was have same problem 2 years ago on one of my trailer in LA Calli. One bracket was broke, and was go to one very well knowledged guy in Rancho Cucamonga, and he say it's not repairable,just must replace axle. its was cost me 2700 for oil filled axle. but i not more go to Calli because CARB's
     
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