While some people are out enjoying the fruits of their labors, there are others who wish they could join in. Here’s what I’ve been up to while you all enjoy Texas.
I discovered the culprit behind my recent issues. Our single screws in the buses lack this specific equipment, which is from the front rear end of a twin screw. It’s the nose cone, where the power divider is located.
After over 900,000 miles, it failed on me right in the yard. I felt a bind and then heard a crunch while backing out of the wash bay on Monday.
The rear rear-end is quite similar to those in our buses, but it’s much less complicated and expensive to repair. The cost for the bearing and seal kit is $179, and while I could have had a shop install it for about $100, I did the removal and reinstallation myself. A brand-new Eaton single screw (just the pig) would cost $1,650. I wiped the ring and pinion down with a rag, and I couldn’t even see a wear pattern, which is a testament to the benefits of using synthetic lubricants. A 5-gallon bucket of synthetic 90-weight oil costs $115, and since the rear holds four gallons, it’s worth every penny.
I’m putting everything back together today, and I’ll send more pictures later. Have fun, everyone, and have a safe trip home!
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