Grease on rear wheels

[jstiehr]

Hi, I just noticed that there was a puddle of grease that had collected in the bottom of the outer rear wheel of my Tiffin diesel pusher. It also looks as though when running that the grease had been spread out by the centrifugal force of the rotating wheel. Could I have lost some sort of grease seal on the rear drive wheels? Any idea what could have caused that accumulation of grease?

[JRscooby]

It has been decades since I have used a axle gasket. This is a place for blue silicone form a gasket.
Another point; Normally there is no pressure on that seal area. Better look on the inside of wheels and drum. Unless you are running way heavy, likely more inspection will find bad bearings and seal, hub moving in relation to axle.
Another thing to check, (on my trucks, I check every week) is the vent on rear-end housing.

[diplomatdon]

It will make a really big mess if you are going to run another 2000 miles. Swing in to a tire shop and have it tightened. You probably have to have the lug nuts removed to get the hub cap off anyway. Good luck Don

[jstiehr]

Thanks for all of the helpful comments. Assuming it’s the gasket, how urgent is the repair? Is it a stop everything and get it done right away, finish the trip so it gets taken care of in 2000 miles or the next time it’s in for service type of thing?

[pigman1]

No big deal. Pull the axle cap (or wheel cover) so you see the ring of bolts holding the axle flange to the wheel hub assembly. Pull one of the nuts/wheel studs and check it's size so you can go to the internet and get the proper torque you need on these. The wheel and hub will stay on so no need to worry about loose wheel bearings. Replace and re-torque all to the proper value, then use a solvent soaked rag to clean all residual from the hub, cup in the wheel, and inside and out of the axle cap or wheel cover. The rear end lube also goes out the axle shafts and lubes the inner and outer wheel bearings. a very little lube leaking at that point can be spread around and appear to be a lot more than actually has leaked. The axle shaft flange and wheel have a paper thin gasket to help seal the joint. Any truck brake, truck spring or even a truck alignment firm should be able to get you a gasket. replacing it is just a matter of removing the bolts or studs, pulling the axle out an inch or two and sliding the new gasket in to replace the leaking one. When working on it raise that wheel by jacking or parking on a slope so the rear end lube flows toward the other side.

[wolfe10]

RLS7201 wrote:
Your rig doesn't have an axle seal. It has a hub seal and an axle gasket. From your description of the leak, you probably have a failed axle gasket or loose axle bolts. THat type of leak will not affect your brakes

Richard

This is likely the correct answer. Check with his axle manufacturer or chassis maker if he doesn't know the axle manufacturer/model (plate on the rear axle will have that info), but likely just a leaking gasket. NOT expensive.

[jstiehr]

How big of a repair is that in terms of cost and time would you guess? Also, any truck service place or do I need to find an RV place?

[RLS7201]

Your rig doesn't have an axle seal. It has a hub seal and an axle gasket. From your description of the leak, you probably have a failed axle gasket or loose axle bolts. THat type of leak will not affect your brakes

Richard

[bukhrn]

Bruce Brown wrote:
Yup - sounds like an axle seal. It happens, get it fixed before it contaminates the brake pads (or shoes).

if not already too late.

[Bruce_Brown]

Yup - sounds like an axle seal. It happens, get it fixed before it contaminates the brake pads (or shoes).

[MountainAir05]

You got it right.