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Wayne M · 05-05-2017, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garykk

What year is your MH? I think the trans fluid is a 5 yr change on newer models with synthetic.

My 2008 requires Tranny (Synthetic) change every 4 years of 150,000 miles - which ever comes first.

D Lindy · 05-06-2017, 05:29 AM

The fore mentioned list of work, was work that was done by a heavy truck repair shop in my area.

D Lindy · 05-06-2017, 05:49 AM

Wayne; that 4 years change interval can be extended thru the use of oil analysis like I mentioned. I use Blackstone Labs, but there are several other reputable labs out there. It's worth the $28 per sample once a year vs the cost of changing oil that is still good.

Palazzoteam · 05-08-2017, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D Lindy

Wayne; that 4 years change interval can be extended thru the use of oil analysis like I mentioned. I use Blackstone Labs, but there are several other reputable labs out there. It's worth the $28 per sample once a year vs the cost of changing oil that is still good.

D, so do you check more often (say twice a year, maybe quarterly) after a certain mileage or time-frame?

D Lindy · 05-09-2017, 06:14 AM

Palazzoteam, for the past 4 years I've sampled once a year when I had the coach serviced because I only put about 3000 miles a year on it. We're going full time this Sept. and I don;t see us putting more then 10,000 a year so my oil sampling interval will still stay at about once a year. I see no need for more then that unless you're putting 50,000 miles a year on your coach.

D Lindy · 05-23-2017, 10:25 AM

Palazzoteam; Just got my oil sample results back on my 2011 Allison trans that has 30,000 miles and the original oil in it still. Last time Blackstone said I could change filters if I wanted to be proactive. This years sample I informed them that my filters were internal and unable to be changed without changing the fluid too. Their reply was that my sample showed 0.0% insolubles (solids) in the oil and was a perfect reading and that I'm good for 10-15K miles before I might even consider changing fluid, but to continue sampling yearly.

Palazzoteam · 05-23-2017, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D Lindy

Palazzoteam; Just got my oil sample results back on my 2011 Allison trans that has 30,000 miles and the original oil in it still. Last time Blackstone said I could change filters if I wanted to be proactive. This years sample I informed them that my filters were internal and unable to be changed without changing the fluid too. Their reply was that my sample showed 0.0% insolubles (solids) in the oil and was a perfect reading and that I'm good for 10-15K miles before I might even consider changing fluid, but to continue sampling yearly.

Good info..thank you. I received my sample packet from Blackstone....will use it next year (since mine in currently new now)...and every year after that. That's how you do it, yearly (sometimes sooner depending on age of liquid, correct?

D Lindy · 05-23-2017, 04:32 PM

Plazzoteam; not necessarily based on age of fluid but on # of miles on it. I'd sample at a minimum once a year or 10,000 miles which ever came first.

VoiceNinja · 05-23-2017, 04:45 PM

Good timing on this post!

I spent the day doing the 30,000 mile maintenance schedule in the Freightliner Recreational Vehicle Chassis Maintenance Manual.

It took a full, 10 hour day, but everything on the list is done per the (very good!) instructions in the manual, EXCEPT for the Wheel End Check (MOP 33-04). That one requires removing the front wheels and brake drum, then checking the hub end-play with a dial caliper. I'll take it to Grand Traverse Diesel Service to have that done when I'm in their area later this summer (4 hours away in Traverse City, Michigan, and the nearest Freightliner Service Center that works on motor coaches regularly).

This was my first Freightliner maintenance schedule since we bought the coach in April. After doing it, I can say that I won't hesitate to do it again, but that it was a whole lot of crawling around under the rig and contorting myself into various parts of the engine bay and front wheel wells. If I wasn't relatively young and spry, I'd hire it out or find someone with a service pit so I could do the work standing up.

It's also very (very!) worth having a pneumatic or electric grease gun. I went through 2.5 tubes of #2 grease, much of it in pretty contorted positions!

The actual maintenance items aren't hard and the manual is excellent, if you want to give it a shot.

beenthere · 05-24-2017, 12:23 PM

You can also check the Bus shops, like the ones that do schools and usually also do large coach's like provost and such. they have chartered trips for casinos and out of state trips, ball games ect ect.. Our shop here does a very good job and has four more pits than the freight liner shop{only has one} and you always see guys on creepers backing out with a 100# part.. the bus shop also charges by hour and not book rates. here they do a LOT of the coaches, even the dealer sends hos here...