C-7 fan hub bearing

[tinkerer]

After reading the post about the bearing failure on the C-7 fan hub, I was just going to take a poll who has had a similar problem or is this a more isolated problem. I know forums bring out people who have problems but would like to hear if there are more who haven't has that problem. I happen to be running a C-7 that was built in 2006 and is approaching the 50,000 mile mark and was wondering if I should be more proactive at getting it changed while I am not traveling. By the way mine does not have a grease zerk.:@

[Jim]

RayChez wrote:

Geez! That is one dirty engine. You must drive a lot on dusty dirt roads. Yes, I would definitely spray wash the engine, CAC and radiator. I spray mine with Simple Green, let it set for about five minutes, then I get my electric power washer and use the spray nozzle, not to direct of a water jet. Wash everything really good. I also start the engine while I am spraying from the top side towards the radiator. By starting the engine the fan will also push the water and Simple Green through the fins of the CAC and radiator. It also helps dry the engine up.

I just bought the rig in February so that dust & grime is from the previous owner. But I quoted you because I want to mention that PURPLE Simple Green is the stuff you spray on an aluminum radiator like I have. It's designed for that metal.

[Jim]

I'm aware, Wolfe. I'm pretty sure I mentioned PURPLE Simple Green. That's the Extreme as I recall. They really should change the name.

The bearing location and it's name was a source of confusion early on, I'll change it now that I know what it's actually called.

[wolfe10]

Jim,

Couple of other points after reading your writeup:

The bearing is on the fan hub. The water pump is quite a ways away from this area and has its own separate V belt.

And, a better cleaner than Simple Green is Simple Green Extreme. It is formulated to degrease aluminum aircraft. Since your CAC is aluminum, it is a lot better choice. No, Walmart won't have it. But most cleaning supply houses and air craft supply houses have it.

[Jim]

wolfe10 wrote:

Jim,

I have always just used the flex grease gun extension I use for all chassis zirks.

And, if he had to hunt for it, this must have been his very first ever, as the fan is EASY to locate and the zirk is maybe 3" toward the engine from the fan. OJT is fine, just hope you did not have to pay for it!

And, agree, the front of the CAC (Charge Air Cooler) needs to be cleaned-- really an annual issue with any rear radiator configuration.

Yeah, I figured out he wasn't qualified on my model pretty early on. But, it was only $20/hr, and I had him look at some other stuff for me so, not all that money was wasted. Maybe $20 of it.

[RayChez]

Jim@HiTek wrote:
Nice to hear from experienced owners. Thanks for that vote of confidence in the hub bearing, Gatorcq!

I was hoping to hear something like that about my New2mE '02 Journey with Cat 3126 330HP. I'd read enough postings here and other forums about the huge expense if the zerk isn't lubed enough that I hired a mobile tech to find it and lube it for me just last week.

Took him almost an hour to actually find the fitting. Most of that running to a nearby shop to look at manuals. I'd discovered from reading that the zerk is in a difficult place, and requires a full sized grease gun fitting to be ground down on either side so it fits, or a mini-grease gun can be used without mods.

FYI, there's no bearing sounding noise coming from the engine, I just wanted it done for preventative maintenance. Engine has 71,000 on it.

I did take some pictures and post an article about it, here: Greasing the Cat 330 HP Hub bearing...

Geez! That is one dirty engine. You must drive a lot on dusty dirt roads. Yes, I would definitely spray wash the engine, CAC and radiator. I spray mine with Simple Green, let it set for about five minutes, then I get my electric power washer and use the spray nozzle, not to direct of a water jet. Wash everything really good. I also start the engine while I am spraying from the top side towards the radiator. By starting the engine the fan will also push the water and Simple Green through the fins of the CAC and radiator. It also helps dry the engine up.

[wolfe10]

Jim@HiTek wrote:


Took him almost an hour to actually find the fitting. Most of that running to a nearby shop to look at manuals. I'd discovered from reading that the zerk is in a difficult place, and requires a full sized grease gun fitting to be ground down on either side so it fits, or a mini-grease gun can be used without mods.

I did take some pictures and post an article about it, here: Greasing the Cat 330 HP Hub bearing...

Jim,

I have always just used the flex grease gun extension I use for all chassis zirks.

And, if he had to hunt for it, this must have been his very first ever, as the fan is EASY to locate and the zirk is maybe 3" toward the engine from the fan. OJT is fine, just hope you did not have to pay for it!

And, agree, the front of the CAC (Charge Air Cooler) needs to be cleaned-- really an annual issue with any rear radiator configuration.

[Jim]

Big Katuna wrote:
06 C7 with 50k miles. No problems with motor.

So is there any warning when it starts to go?

Whining? Noise?

There should be plenty of warning, Big. It'll sound like a grinding noise with perhaps a rattle. Sometimes a pop once in awhile. When it goes, the water gauge temp will soar, you'll have to downshift to get the heat down while you desperately look for an off ramp.

Or something like that.

[Big_Katuna]

06 C7 with 50k miles. No problems with motor.

So is there any warning when it starts to go?

Whining? Noise?

[Jim]

Nice to hear from experienced owners. Thanks for that vote of confidence in the hub bearing, Gatorcq!

I was hoping to hear something like that about my New2mE '02 Journey with Cat 3126 330HP. I'd read enough postings here and other forums about the huge expense if the zerk isn't lubed enough that I hired a mobile tech to find it and lube it for me just last week.

Took him almost an hour to actually find the fitting. Most of that running to a nearby shop to look at manuals. I'd discovered from reading that the zerk is in a difficult place, and requires a full sized grease gun fitting to be ground down on either side so it fits, or a mini-grease gun can be used without mods.

FYI, there's no bearing sounding noise coming from the engine, I just wanted it done for preventative maintenance. Engine has 71,000 on it.

I did take some pictures and post an article about it, here: Greasing the Cat 330 HP Hub bearing...

[gatorcq]

4 rigs, with the following:
110K, 120K, 86K and 82K
CAT, no problems.
Have never hear anything from CAT, stating a life-spand on a bearing, nor do I think you will ever see anything in writing.
Sealed bearing are used everywhere, and will and will not fail.
Has anyone out there see this bearing? I have, as after all the hype and conversation, I purchased one early this year. Sometime this year I will change it. But let me tell you unless you have see this bearing. It is built to last.

So far, no one has really done an investigation as o why it failed. I can guess of at least 3 reasons why it would. Not pressed in correctly, out of balance fan blade, or anything that would cause the belt to vibrate due to out of balance

[RayChez]

I grease mine from the bottom. On the passenger side I have lots of room. I have a grease gun with a 24" hose that will flex and reach the fitting. I just give it a couple of stokes of grease and so far I have not had any problems. You do not want to over grease that bearing or else you will really have a mess with the grease getting on the fan belts.

You can also get it from inside the coach, but I hate taking the cover off the top of the engine box. Lots of work on that, but once you lift the bed up you can get on top of the exhaust manifold and grease it from there. Not easy though.

[wolfe10]

Jerry,

You can NOT reach it from underneath. It is on the TOP of the fan hub (toward engine from the fan blade).

On your coach, pretty easy to reach with the bed up.

Again, the grease zirk was on all Caterpillar 3116 and 3126 build before 1/2003. 3126's built after that date and all C7's have sealed bearings.

[jplante4]

Now I gotta go looking for this grease fitting on my 3126. And I just had the grease gun out doing the u-joints.

Edit: Found mine. I'll wait for sheet changing day instead of feeling around from underneath.

[FIRE_UP]

tinkerer wrote:
After reading the post about the bearing failure on the C-7 fan hub, I was just going to take a poll who has had a similar problem or is this a more isolated problem. I know forums bring out people who have problems but would like to hear if there are more who haven't has that problem. I happen to be running a C-7 that was built in 2006 and is approaching the 50,000 mile mark and was wondering if I should be more proactive at getting it changed while I am not traveling. By the way mine does not have a grease zerk.:@

tinkerer,
This is NOT a known issue. As you have stated, we read on these forums, of primarily ones who've had to replace that bearing. What about the hundreds or, thousands of the motor homes with the C-7 that are running all over this country and NOT having any issues with that bearing. Not to mention that, the C-7 was installed in many, many kinds of trucks our there. Fire trucks, cement trucks, over the road trucks, local delivery trucks and more. So, while it is smart to be aware of the potential of failure of it, no one really knows or, can predict a failure, at any particular mileage.

It can go at 20K, 30K, 80K or, anytime in between. We presently have 62K on our '04 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the C-7 330HP. Yep, it might be time to me to think about it but, it may go to 80K or more, no one knows. And, as Brett indicates, you can order up the older style ones that were fitted tot the C-7s predecessor, the 3126 version CAT. Then, just make sure you do lube it, every now and then. Good luck.
Scott

[wolfe10]

I posted this on the other thread Ranger Smith linked to, cut probably worth repeating:

Be aware that BOTH sealed and greasable fan hub bearings are available from Caterpillar as replacements.

They went to sealed beginning with engine production 1/03 because very few were greasing them.

In MY order of preference:
A greasable that IS greased.
A sealed.
A greasable that is NOT greased.

And, no, this is totally unrelated to the water pump (different area of the engine, different belt driving it on most applications).