Black Streaks Left Front Hub

[Chickadee]

Newmar Gurus....Need your input.

In the spring of 08 we had some stuff done at Nappanee and I'd previously (a few mos. earlier) noticed what I thought was blackish looking oil streaks kinda spreading outward (as if spun out in a centrifuge) from the perimeter of the hubcap on the RIGHT front wheel of our 4502, Ex.

At that time, Randy (the Spartan tech) took the r. frnt. wheel off, showed me the plastic oil reservoir on the end of that hub and since he said it was leaking, he replaced it and it's been good since.

NOW, I'm seeing what I THINK are similar oil streaks on the LEFT front wheel cover but don't know for sure how to determine if there's a problem w. this LEFT hub reservoir or not.

QUESTION: Is there some easy way to check this or to determine if there's a problem, or MUST that wheel be removed by a service cntr. in order to evaluate. Also, though the Newmar warranty is expired, is this something Spartan might cover?? THANK YOU for any input ya might be able to provide. Steve & Lynette

[Skipper 05MA]

Hi, we also have an 08 EX 4502. With 22K miles I noticed the same leak syptoms on both front wheels. It all started after a trip to Spartan which included tightening the front wheel bearings due to a tire wear issue. We have now had them "adusted" again and the outer cap bearing cover replaced on the left. Bottom line is you can pop the small hub cap off and check the bearing fluid by sight. You can sometimes tell if and where the leak may be originating. In any event it will require some further adjustment or replacement if it continues to leak. I wouldn't drive it too far especially if it looks low in fluid. Hope this helps.

[Darrel]

I have had this happen also and it seems to be a common problem. My son (the truck driver) says that only two or three drops of the wheel lubricant will paint most of the rim with messy film. On my wheel, I just reseated the reservoir cap and the problem never came back.

Have a nice day - Darrel

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

Check the allen head bolt used to fill with oil for tightness...mine was not seated completely and allowed a little oil to escape. Once tightened the problem did not recur.
I check the oil level in the front bearings at least 3-4 times a year even though I see no oil residue on the wheel.

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

OH, forgot the second part of your post! I do believe it is a Spartan issue and the warranty is for 3 years. I would call their tech center and verify, plus have them recommend a Spartan shop near you.

[Chickadee]

BOY, you guys a GREAT!! THANKS for the help. I'm hoping to get it in to Hill Kelly RV in Pensacola and will try pulling the hub cap after the rain here quits...if ever. Will check hub reservoir oil level after pulling hub, and will check the allen head bolt. If reservoir is low or (shudder) empty, WHAT OIL is used if I have to add some to get from here to svc. cntr.??? (Can I even add oil to the reservoir with just the hub cap off?). OH WELL...something else to worry about and learn. THANKS AGAIN!! Steve

P.S. Ronnie: Thanks. I'll try Spartan before taking her in.

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

Check the Spartan Specs, but I think it's 90 weight gear oil. If I remember correctly I used Castoroil 90 W gear oil from a Napa store. You need an allen head tool to remove the threaded insert with the tire/hub in the in the right orientation (insert at the top) and a steady hand to pour the oil or a small funnel and less steady hand LOL. Careful not to overfill as the really thick oil takes a while to flow.

[Chickadee]

Ronnie: THANKS for oil info. It's 80/90 Gear Oil. I'll try to find it. Sure appreciate your time. Heading over to A-1 Diesel (nearest "authorized" Spartan Svc.) in Fort Walton Beach tomarrow.

Thank you ALL. Steve

[GaryKD]

Hi Chickadee,
In addition to what has been posted, on the flange that tightens the seal, these bolts may need to be tightened. When you remove the hub cap, look at the ring of bolts holding the plate that fastens the fluid reservoir fill cover. They can easily be tightened. Do not over tighten. A good snug fit is correct.

[tmitchell]

I have changed the oil in my front hubs. I removed the metal drain plug, to drain the old oil out and put the new oil in by removing the rubber plug in the middle of the sight area.
A lot of times when I am doing a visual check, I have a hard time seeing the oil level, so I pop the rubber plug. It is easier for me to see the level by looking into the area through the hole where the rubber plug is.
My point being, if you have to add oil just put it in the hole where the rubber plug is.
Tom

[Chickadee]

Tom: THANKS. I was wonderin about that, since I don't think I've got a large enough hex head to remove (or even tighten) the filler plug. I do plan to get one soon however cause I'll probably need it down the road. Steve

[tmitchell]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chickadee Tom: THANKS. I was wonderin about that, since I don't think I've got a large enough hex head to remove (or even tighten) the filler plug. I do plan to get one soon however cause I'll probably need it down the road. Steve

I did mine about 1-1/2 years ago and I can't remember what I used for sure. I'm thinking that one of my socket set extension's end fit. Have you tried something like that.
Tom

[Latitude]

It might just be the Rubber Plug that is leaking a bit!!

They sometimes get hard over time and need to be replaced. Yo can get them at any Truck Dealer Just ask for Plug for Stemco Seal. There are 2 sizes so measure first.

The oil is 80-90W Gear oil and it can be added by removing the Rubber plug The Allen Key Plug is used to drain oil when replacing/Changing, Usually at that time just put on a new Seal.

Rick

[RVDude]

The front hubs and the tag hubs both use a Stemco seal (the clear plastic oil level sight disk) and are filled with 75w-90 gear oil. About 8 oz. per wheel. It is a regular Spartan maintenance item to change this oil (15,000 miles) and doing so is very simple and one of the few inexpensive tasks!

Drain using an allen wrench to remove the plug, get the ball end kind of allen as the lug nut is too close to allow even the short end of most allen wrenches to fit. Cut a milk jug top off so it fits under that plug and catch the draining oil. Carefully look at the oil for anything floating on it (metal shavings) to asses the conditions of your bearings. BTW - jacking the wheels off the ground (one end at a time) will let you spin the allen plug to the bottom to drain properly

Spartan will suggest running a full synthetic 75w-90 gear oil in the hubs, Valvoline SynPower available at NAPA for about $10/qt in the gold bottle. Given it'll take a quart or little more the extra cost is trivial.

Re-install the allen plug - put a little Permatex blue gasket RTV (or equiv) on the threads. Teflon tape is not a good choice as it slivers up and can get into the oil. Lightly cinch the plug down. You might also lightly cinch the hex nuts of the Stemco as well.

Recheck after 24hrs, you will need to add more. Or, to speed things up, jack the wheels off the ground one end at a time and spin them by hand to distribute the oil throughout the hub. Top off and you are done!

Ball end allen