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mastertech
Advanced Member
274 Posts |
 Posted - 06/03/2011 : 6:31:48 PM
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| We are starting to see a number of lower steering shaft bearings falling apart on the 2008 and newer busses. Being in a salt state the whole bottom of the shaft is corroding ,rotting out the seal on the bearing until it starts jamming and breaking up. I consider this a serious issue that could be solved by getting a boot over the shaft like the older navistar vehicles had. Has anybody had similar thoughts or fixes. The bearings are just a few bucks and we pack them with grease when they get replaced . |
Edited by - mastertech on 06/04/2011 8:57:21 PM
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IBTMech
Top Member
USA
973 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2011 : 5:47:34 PM
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Huh? Except for an '87 piece of crap GMC, we've been buying Internationals since 1961 and I have never had to replace a steering shaft U joint. They all come through with grease fittings on them.
Maine is definitely a salt state! |
If it doesn't fit, FORCE it.
If it breaks, well, it needed replacing anyway.
Pullin' wrenches for 45 years. |
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mastertech
Advanced Member
274 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2011 : 8:55:58 PM
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| Thats great that you have not had ujoints fail but I am talking about the sealed ball bearing on the lower end the of the steering column that supports the shaft. |
Edited by - mastertech on 06/04/2011 8:58:33 PM |
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IBTMech
Top Member
USA
973 Posts |
Posted - 06/09/2011 : 2:48:08 PM
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We have been buying the 10K front ends since the early 90s and all of those steering gears come through with a grease fitting for the output shaft bearing and seal. One pump of lube at each service interval is all they need.
I have never replaced either the seal or the bearing on any of these.
I'm assuming you have power steering.
What is your steering gear code? |
If it doesn't fit, FORCE it.
If it breaks, well, it needed replacing anyway.
Pullin' wrenches for 45 years. |
Edited by - IBTMech on 06/09/2011 2:50:52 PM |
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mastertech
Advanced Member
274 Posts |
Posted - 09/16/2012 : 7:39:12 PM
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| I find it odd that nobody else had had issues. We have had 100percent failures of the lower column bearings and changed them all out. You dont have to buy a new column or anything but they are a PITA to remove . Just pull the shaft and lock the steering wheel from moving as you will break the clock spring if it turns. Then get a small grinding carbide bit and grind the races till they can be pulled out. Tap in a new packed bearing ,install the snap ring and good for a few more years. |
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Bassman
Top Member
USA
558 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2012 : 04:05:38 AM
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| We just had our first lower column bearing fail as you described, but we have tilt columns and they only sell it as a unit. So we had to replace the entire tilt assembly. I just described it on another thread on here. Our failure was on an 06 and we have 22 buses of that design which are 05-06. Was yours a tilt mechanism or a regular column? |
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mech19
New Member
6 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2012 : 10:22:14 AM
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| It's easier to grind out the damaged bearing, as you stated Mastertech. It's way too expensive to replace the whole column. Matched up a bearing locally. And yes, we see these problems in the road salt region. I believe a boot would have prevented this near-recall. |
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mastertech
Advanced Member
274 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2012 : 3:04:55 PM
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The bearing number is 6905rs. You can get them off ebay for next to nothing but I would for sure pry the seals off and pack them with waterproof grease. One other thing I tried was mig welding a couple of small bolts to the races and pulling them out with a puller. The die grinder has worked the best and you dont have to take the column out of the bus but it is easier. Removing the fender makes it much easier.
I think we got the project down well under and hour . |
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Schoolbus56
Senior Member
United States
128 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2012 : 4:00:27 PM
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| I've been noticing that on one of my 2008's I was wondering what the fix was. |
wow. |
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sambrutay
Advanced Member
United States
271 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2012 : 05:54:54 AM
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| we have this problem also. same bearing 6905 is used for our 02 IC buses. haven't seen it happening in our 05-06's yet. |
Bruce |
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IBTMech
Top Member
USA
973 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2012 : 3:11:56 PM
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| I guess I've misunderstood the location of the bearing failure. Well I'll blame it on over 60 disease. As far as the lower COLUMN bearing, I haven't had one fail yet. Our fleet is mostly IH from '81 up including buses, Public Works and Fire Dept. |
If it doesn't fit, FORCE it.
If it breaks, well, it needed replacing anyway.
Pullin' wrenches for 45 years. |
Edited by - IBTMech on 09/18/2012 3:12:38 PM |
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Topic |
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CE300/200 steering stem bearings?
