Tag axle seal failure, warranty issue?

[CorporateMonkey]

I got a call today from my old man, he took the coach in for a routine chassis service (oil, etc...)

While there the spartan dealer said the tag axle hub seal had failed. I guess the hub cab was full of lubricant.

They charged him $300+ for the repair.

Would you consider this a warrantee issue? Or is it a wear item, and not covered?

[RVDude]

On your 08 that sounds warranty to me. Was it the Stemco "seal" (the clear sight glass thing) or the actual axle bearing seal? Either way it should be warranty. I've had the front Stemcos changed under warranty and the rear tag bearings (bearing. seal, Stemco) replaced (under a campaign) as well.

[Joe-K]

I also would think it should be covered by warranty. Spartan did have an issue which I believe was limited to 2007 chassis (but your rig could be included) where they tag axle bearing retainer was too tight causing heat buildup in the bearing which ruined the seal and forced the oil out.

I would think the Spartan dealer should know of the recall on the tag bearings.

[RVDude]

Call Spartan directly and ask them if you have the tag axle bearing campaign and if a leaking seal or Stemco should be covered. I'd never trust a dealer to look this info up. Just ask Spartan if there are any open service campaigns on your chassis number. They can tell you. Since you'll be up at Newmar, if you need any chassis work that can't be done at Newmar, I'd haul up to Charlotte, MI and let the mother ship do your work.

Both Spartan and Newmar have had numerous double dipping dealers charging both the customer and the OEM for warranty repairs. I'll bet this is an increasing problem.

[Jim Stewart]

What, a Dealer that is less than honest? My, my I have a hard time believing that!:la ugh:

[sjcaldal11]

I will also say that it should have been a warranty issue. I had a failure on my 2008 fixed under warranty.
Thanks, Daryl

[CorporateMonkey]

He talked to spartan today. They initially agreed to reimburse the money, but after the dealer got involved it got messy.

I guessed Spartan needed some sort of measurements before they would issue a warranty credit to the service shop.

Of course the dealer never took those measurement as they never thought this could be a warranty issue.

So the ball has been pushed back to Spartan, and currently they are playing the v-mail game.

Does anyone have a link for the tag seal recall notice? A recall number would do just fine.

["007"]

Here is the SPARTAN recalls, you will need chassis model and year to collect the info.
You can get any chassis or coach recall in the Newmar information thread in Newmar forum.

[CorporateMonkey]

I looked through all the recall information, and I did not see anything related to the axles.

Was this just a "suggested" repair? Or am I missing something?

[Ann n Gene]

It is not TECHNICALLY a recall but a "campaign". Call Spartan with your serial number and they can tell you if you are included in this campaign. I can not find the letter they sent to me with the campaign number on it, will keep looking and IF I can find it I will post that here also. Good Luck, Gene

[CorporateMonkey]

Talked to spartan today. They were less than helpful.

According to their records Newmar replaced the tag seals in late 2008 at Camp Newmar.

Problem is this coach has never been back to Camp Newmar. The folks had an appointment late last year, but had to cancel for family reasons. I guess Newmar told Spartan it had been fixed.
I guess this is one way to gain revenue.

So Spartan is refusing to cover the work that was done this week, but they are willing to have the work done again at Camp Newmar.

The folks have an appointment in early June at the factory. They are going to have Newmar replace the seals again on Spartans dime.

Spartan doesn't seem to think this is wasteful.

To me this almost sounds like a government program

[Ann n Gene]

I suspect that they will NOT replace the seals and bearings. When I took mine in, they had sent the seals and bearings alright but did not authorize their replacement until the free play was measured and the wear, if they were in specs, the bearing were not to be replace but sent back to Spartan. dont know the outcome, they did not get to it Friday and said they would do it Monday, so...............we shall see. It is a strange "campaign" when they send all the parts but do not allow them to be replaced until all the tests are run and show a problem, not that that is a big deal, it isnt. BUT they have to pull the wheels, drums and outer bearings to measure the wear at the inner bearing and race. MOST of the expense and ALL of the effort are already spent and the bearing will cost more to ship both ways than the cost of the bearing especially by the time they pulled them from stock and then restock them. just my opinion. Gene

[CorporateMonkey]

Since one seal already failed, I suspect the other seal is probably one its way out.

Newmar has ordered the parts to replace both seals. I guess time will tell if they replace both.

[Ann n Gene]

Oh, I likely overreacted, I am sure they will likely replace both seals, the least they could do since it APPEARS they did not do the job the first time. Good luck and keep us posted. gene