If you drop your bus off at a service facility, I strongly encourage you to take the time to watch the technician during the entire process. It’s remarkable how much can change between service intervals and how those subtle shifts can have significant impacts.
We have many grease fittings, and if one fails to take grease and the technician isn’t diligent, you could face future issues. If you keep returning to the same technician, there’s no guarantee they’ll take the few extra minutes to replace a fitting they previously ignored. The same goes for fittings that ooze grease due to a faulty check.
What about checking the oil level in the hubs? The back of the wheels can reveal seal leaks, but if the technician overlooks this, you risk running your bearings dry. This is especially critical for drive axle bearings, as low differential lube can lead to even worse problems.
It’s also important to assess the shocks for signs of failure—look for oil leakage and inspect the bushings. While you’re under the bus, listen for air leaks; it’s a straightforward way to check for issues. Draining the air tanks in the correct sequence can also help verify the check valves are functioning properly. When was the last time you drained those tanks? Moisture in the suspension system can wreak havoc on the Norgren valve train.
Your air dryer is your first line of defense in the air system. Are you keeping track of when it was last changed? The wet tank can indicate its effectiveness, and if you see oil around where it expels, it’s a sign you’ve waited too long between cartridge changes.
While you can see tires from the outside, how often do you inspect the inside sidewalls? I once found a nail in the inside sidewall of a tag axle tire that I wouldn’t have noticed otherwise.
Is everything dry under the coach? If not, identify where the oil, transmission fluid, fuel, or coolant is leaking from. Could it turn into a serious issue?
When was the last time you or the technician checked the air lines leading to the brake chambers? These hoses flex with suspension travel and can rub against other components. Are they cracked or brittle? A failure here could lead to significant problems. While under the bus, it’s also a good time to release the parking brake and listen for any minor leaks in the brake chambers.
Check the air bags for signs of wear or rubbing, and inspect the front shocks, which limit up travel in the suspension. It’s possible to pull the top ring right off a shock.
This is just a quick list and likely not exhaustive, but it illustrates how much there is to look at or have someone inspect when under the coach. A lube job that includes these inspections doesn’t take long, so it’s worthwhile to ensure that anyone greasing the underside is also looking for indications that require further attention. Opting for a cheap lube without thorough checks could end up being very costly in the long run.
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