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DD788Snipe · 07-10-2016, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vettenuts

Not sure how far you are from Brazels but I would take it there for another opinion. However, first sample the oil. I can't imagine how that could happen in 15K miles unless it was out of oil but that doesn't sound like it was the case.

Agreed. I would also send out an oil sample to Blackstone labs if Oregon Truck didn't change it out. I'm not a fan of them. Had friends take their coach to them last year for a pre-purchase inspection on a coach they were buying.
They missed so many things it was a waste of money. Good luck.

Gary RVRoamer · 07-10-2016, 11:22 AM

Workhorse W22 chassis or ford F53? The Workhorse of that vintage did have rear axle seal problems, and they may never have been fixed in a low mileage rig like that. The differential is a much more rare problem, but not inconceivable. I would ask a lot of questions and probably get a second opinion.

Julius · 07-10-2016, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meant2shop

2006 Pace Arrow 37C - We dropped off our Class A Fleetwood Pace Arrow (Gas powered) to Oregon LT TRUCK and RV in Medford OR for an oil change and some other minor repairs after a 3000 trip...

... A week later, we called to inquire how everything was going and when we could get our rig back. We were told that they discovered a problem with our rear differential, which the mechanic discovered when he had the engine running and he then walked to the rear of the rig and heard a suspicious noise coming from the rear (which we'd never heard).
He took an oil sample and it "has chunks of metal in it", so they'll need to open and tear down the rear differential to find the problem, and, hopefully, only need to replace the affected parts...

It sure brought back memories of a TV report I saw many years ago, either 60 minutes or 20/20, where an undercovered RV couple were told a similar story by a pair of repair shop hooligans who rigged the couple's RV differential gears with contaminated grease and metal shavings and then tried to scam them out of $1k.

The TV reporter was following up on other RVers who complained about the scam. There were cameras rigged in the chassis capturing the misdeeds.

When confronted later by the reporter and the video, they took off and skipped town in an old beater while the camera was rolling.

I hope you diagnose and solve you "problem", if any at all.

Safe travels,

Julius

PbdBlue · 07-11-2016, 09:10 AM

I think the issue here is that it sounds like the shop already drained the oil so an analysis is probably not possible. On the larger diffs there is no back cover so the only option is to pull the axle shafts and then the 3rd member. Tough situation. I know if I didn't have it checked out it would drive me crazy wondering if I was going to have an issue out on the road. Much less expensive and way more convenient to have it checked at home. Like others have mentioned I think I would take it to a good truck axle shop.

Agaveguy · 07-11-2016, 11:16 PM

General Motors tech for 30 years here, I sense a case of fraud here. If there were any abnormal noises from your differential you would have likely heard them. The ring and pinion gears on a heavy chassis can and will make some whine noises while driving, that in itself is no reason to have the diff opened up. A more common problem with your differential would be a pinion or side bearing failure, or maybe an axle bearing due to the "leak". A road test and quick sample of gear oil will eliminate a lot of the possible scenarios. If you do have a bearing failure, which is most likely, there will be furry metal on the magnetic drain plug. Some amount of furry stuff on the drain plug is normal for any differential, if there are larger particles that would indicate a problem. Contaminated gear oil does not need to be analyzed, it is pretty straightforward what is in it. Look at your invoice that you paid for, if there was not a considerable amount of gear oil on the invoice they probably did not drain it out, quality gear oil is upwards of $15 or $20 a qt and your diff probably holds a few gallons.

I would get a second opinion, but be careful even doing that, service advisors and techs are all paid on commission and a nice diff overhaul will make them smile. It is unfortunate that shops prey on RVers, and use the old "you don't want to break down on the road" bit. Be skeptical, ask questions, take pictures, be present when they drain the oil, ask for all of the old parts back and match them up with the invoice.

50k miles would be a good drain and refill interval, gear oil does break down after a while. Change your hub oil while you're at it.

Be safe, keep up posted.