Tag Hub Oil Leak

[Ourrvtrip]

I noticed a small amount of oil on tag wheel below chrome hub cover. Removed chrome hub cover and found small bolt and washer laying in chrome hub cover. I then found the missing bolt location on hub oil seal. Upon checking remaining hub oil seal bolts, I found another finger loose. Spoke to Spartan and was instructed to apply loc-tite and re-install bolt and washer since oil level was still good. Could have resulted in a serious issue had I not seen the oil on wheel!! Will now check all hub oil seal bolts. Tommy

[RW8804]

Originally Posted by Ourrvtrip

I noticed a small amount of oil on tag wheel below chrome hub cover. Removed chrome hub cover and found small bolt and washer laying in chrome hub cover. I then found the missing bolt location on hub oil seal. Upon checking remaining hub oil seal bolts, I found another finger loose. Spoke to Spartan and was instructed to apply loc-tite and re-install bolt and washer since oil level was still good. Could have resulted in a serious issue had I not seen the oil on wheel!! Will now check all hub oil seal bolts. Tommy

Thanks. I know that I don't check the hub oil levels and rely on the assumption that a leak would be visible like yours. I do remember being told that a very small leak looks worse than it is, since the spinning tire spreads the leaked fluid around.

In fact during my CDL exam, the vehicle I was testing on had a small hub leak, and part of the test was for me to notice the leak and then use judgement to tell the examiner that it was not enough to take the vehicle off the road.

[757driver]

Originally Posted by Ourrvtrip

I noticed a small amount of oil on tag wheel below chrome hub cover. Removed chrome hub cover and found small bolt and washer laying in chrome hub cover. I then found the missing bolt location on hub oil seal. Upon checking remaining hub oil seal bolts, I found another finger loose. Spoke to Spartan and was instructed to apply loc-tite and re-install bolt and washer since oil level was still good. Could have resulted in a serious issue had I not seen the oil on wheel!! Will now check all hub oil seal bolts. Tommy

Tommy,

Good one. I will add this check to my yearly hub oil servicing.

[lanerd]

In fact during my CDL exam, the vehicle I was testing on had a small hub leak, and part of the test was for me to notice the leak and then use judgement to tell the examiner that it was not enough to take the vehicle off the road.

I too, when taking my NCDL exam, checking the hubs for leakage was a part of the walk-around safety check. When I told the examiner that I was check the hubs for leaks, he praised me saying that the majority of people taking this part of the test will fail this particular issue. I have to admit, that prior to taking the exam, I was instructed by a CDL OTR driver that this would be part of the exam.

It is now a part of my walk around before each and every travel day.

Ron

[Texas Jim 45]

I had the right rear Tag axle seal fixed yesterday for the third time.The first two times I saw the oil leaking In was in Texas. Yesterday I got it fixed in Maryland. I'm not sure what is causing it but I hoped they got it this time . I look for oil on the rims quite often now.

Jim and Judy Thompson
2014 Entegra Anthem 43DEQ
2014 F150 Ford
FMCA 316757

[brobox]

Thanks for the heads up. I just washed my rear wheels after three rear end changes and found the same oil leaks. Not sure if it is from the rear end changes or a hub seal. I should know by the time I get to Entegra and Spartan.

[RW8804]

Spartan will change the Stemco parts if there is a problem. Like I said earlier, a small leak looks way worse than it is.

[Dieselgem]

I having my drivers side tag leak fixed under Spartans TSB1334001 in two weeks which also call for checking Stemco Cover Studs.

[waterboy10]

The oil leak often is a result of an overfill. Check the fluid level. There is a min and a max line.

[LarryLS]

I too have noticed this same Tag leak in the past. Took the coach to a Spartan/Freightliner facility in Flagstaff, Arizona about 18 months ago and they replaced the large seal and topped off the oil. Since then I've noticed the same oil spray around the rim but it is minimal so before every trip I check the oil level. I haven't had to replace any oil so I am thinking this is a chronic problem that Spartan needs to address because it looks a lot worse than it could turn out to be.

[MRUSA14]

I agree. Mine has been replaced twice and still leaks a little.

[Cruzer]

Stemco hub seal covers tend to do that unless you tweak them a bit. The first step is to remove the hub cover and apply black silicone RTV, such as Permatex Ultra-Black, to both sides of the gaskets. Then reinstall the hub caps, being sure to tighten the bolts correctly.

The second source of the leak can be the retainer ring that holds the clear sight window in place. Those Torx screws also loosen up. When that happens the super thin clear plastic gasket is generally shot. I removed it and replaced it with clear RTV silicone and retightened the screws. No more leaks after that.

[Crippsfl]

One other thing to look for. I had a slight leak in the right front hub on my Cornerstone. When I had it checked at Spartan last August during Spartan Academy, they said that they thought it was slightly over filled and it would stop soon - but keep an eye on it.

5000 miles later - still leaked. Had some warranty work at Lazy Days and asked them to check it out. Bad hub seal. However, when they check these seals, they check both wheels on the axle and the outer and inner seals. The inner seal on the D/S was leaking as well.

The tech told me to crank the front wheels hard over occasionally when I pull into a campground and look at the inner part of the wheel. It will be dirty from brake dust but, if it is dirty and wet - probably a bad seal. I will add this to the list of things to check.

[RW8804]

Originally Posted by Crippsfl

One other thing to look for. I had a slight leak in the right front hub on my Cornerstone. When I had it checked at Spartan last August during Spartan Academy, they said that they thought it was slightly over filled and it would stop soon - but keep an eye on it.

5000 miles later - still leaked. Had some warranty work at Lazy Days and asked them to check it out. Bad hub seal. However, when they check these seals, they check both wheels on the axle and the outer and inner seals. The inner seal on the D/S was leaking as well.

The tech told me to crank the front wheels hard over occasionally when I pull into a campground and look at the inner part of the wheel. It will be dirty from brake dust but, if it is dirty and wet - probably a bad seal. I will add this to the list of things to check.

Thanks!!!