jplante4 wrote:
Brett - do the C7s have the fan hub bearing problem?
It's in my opinion,it's a matter of opinion. Some of those non-lubeable fan bearings have flown the coop at as early as 30K on some reports. Ours however, was just removed yesterday, with 81K miles on it and, while slightly noisy (in comparison) to the brand new one I have sitting beside it. It still spins just fine although, not as taught as the brand new one. Is that a rare one? Who knows? I figured, based on the limited reports on here, and a couple of other sources, my fan bearing was living on barrowed time. So, a few days ago, I pulled the radiator and CAC and, re-discovered (long story but, this is not the first time I've had the radiator out) that, the same scenario was still true as it was way back the first time I pulled (and exchanged) the radiator.
And that scenario is, CAT, in its infinite wisdom, used Allen drive, flat head, 1/4-20 screws to attach the fan hub serpentine pulley, to the fan bearing shaft. Well, when I had the radiator out the first time, 5 years ago, those Allen head screws wouldn't budge. Well, guess what, they still didn't budge this time either.
Replacing that fan bearing is only accomplished when those screws are removed. Now, in my case, since I already had all the replacement components, i.e. fan bearing, retainer, housing, retaining washer w/bolts, and, the fan shaft, it was no big deal to simply drill out the Allen heads and, that pulley FELL OFF.
Sorry for getting off track here. But, there are more than likely thousands of C-7s running around all over the U.S. with various mileage. I have no clue on just how many C-7 fan bearings have failed and, at what mileage. Mine says they'll last a long time. Others, not so long. C-7s are not only in motorhomes. They're in delivery trucks, long haul trucks, fire trucks, cement trucks etc. So, in all those, how many have failed, not a clue.
There's write-ups on the net about how to change them to a lubeable bearing, like what came on the 3126 versions. Is that a smart move? Well, maybe. If one is position to replace theirs, and the parts are available for both the sealed version and, the lubeable version, if it were me, I'd probably cruise on over to the lubeable version with, an extended hose so I could lube it without becoming a contortionist.
Scott
