Community Forums

Letsgoagain · 05-19-2012, 08:15 AM

Hello,
Have a leaking gasket on the left front axle bearing bath hub cap. The Stemco 4024 cap is on there and is available locally as well as the Chicago Rawhide version. Anyone know anything about the Chicago Rawhide cap as its about $ 16 less then the Stemco OEM.
I usually just stay with OEM but if there the same just different manufactureres as the parts guy says then I would just as soon save the money.
As always appreciate your learned opinions.

Good day to you.

Keith

Twomed · 05-19-2012, 09:08 AM

You can usually find Stemco for a good price on Ebay. Either works fine and both are readily available in the big truck parts world.

Drain clean and use RTV gasket sealer on the one you have if it's only a gasket.

Letsgoagain · 05-19-2012, 10:09 AM

Twomed,
Thanks for the reply.
Good point about using the gasket sealer Have a question though. Does the RTV gasket sealer go on the existing gasket or do you remove the old gasket completely and the gasket sealer form a new leak free seal?

Thanks for the help.

Best Regards

Twomed · 05-19-2012, 10:53 PM

Discard the old gasket and use the rtv. Clean both surfaces with brake parts cleaner so they are super clean and dry. Follow the rtv directions for best results.

Be sure to clean the super small vent hole in the middle of the rubber plug.

Mike Canter · 05-20-2012, 06:42 AM

It does not take a whole bunch of RTV sealer. Just a small amount because it is going to press out both inside and outside when you tighten it down. You do not want bits of silicone breaking off inside and getting into the bearings. I am saying a thin coat on both sides is all that is needed and not a bead.

Have you tried just tightening it how it sits now?

Letsgoagain · 05-20-2012, 03:54 PM

Twomed,
Thanks for the additional help. Your replies got me to thinking that I would just replace the gasket first. Then I was reading Cruzer'spage on maintenance which got me to thinking maybe I had overfilled it the last time I changed the oil. I really think I did as it was just below the lip of the red center cap.

I removed some oil and will let it set for a few days and check for any leakage.

Mike Canter,
Thanks also for the tips on the RTV sealant and on checking the vent hole. Your right about super small as I couldn't see it at first. I did read the manual after this.

Thanks to both of you.
Happy traveling.
Keith