Wheel hub/bearing lube

[Desertsparky]

So continuing with my theme of getting ready for the summer cross country trip I'm trying to do as much myself as practical. Last year my nephew couldn't figure it out and I didn't have time (two week deadline to get on the road for a funural). As for wheel hub or bearing grease/oil etc. What maintenence should be done and how often. I have a 2003 ce300 I think haha. One place says 200 and another says 3. The fronts seem pretty strait forward with some youtube videos. But the back I can't see a place to check gear oil or grease? While we are at it how do those brake shoes look?

[Booyah45828]

Fronts look to be oil bath hubs. If you clean the grime off they might be clear and show you a lube level. If it doesn't then pull the center plug with a small screwdriver and it should be a 1/4 or so below the bottom of the hole. Most use a synthetic 75w90 gear oil.

Your rear bearings use the same lube that the ring and pinion uses. So as long as that level is where it should be, they'll be lubed automatically through driving. If you ever remove the axles and drain that lube, jack the opposite side up 6 or so inches and the off-level will flow lube into the bearing. I've also seen guys pack the bearings with grease during remove/replacement.

Shoes look fine with plenty of friction yet. Check the other side and then inspect them thoroughly. Make sure the friction lining isn't separating from the table either.

[Desertsparky]

Originally Posted by Booyah45828

Fronts look to be oil bath hubs. If you clean the grime off they might be clear and show you a lube level. If it doesn't then pull the center plug with a small screwdriver and it should be a 1/4 or so below the bottom of the hole. Most use a synthetic 75w90 gear oil.

Your rear bearings use the same lube that the ring and pinion uses. So as long as that level is where it should be, they'll be lubed automatically through driving. If you ever remove the axles and drain that lube, jack the opposite side up 6 or so inches and the off-level will flow lube into the bearing. I've also seen guys pack the bearings with grease during remove/replacement.

Shoes look fine with plenty of friction yet. Check the other side and then inspect them thoroughly. Make sure the friction lining isn't separating from the table either.

Does that just have the normal plug etc on the pumpkin to check the level? Any idea what gear oil that is?

[Booyah45828]

Yeah, usually on the back of the housing, but they can be in the pumpkin too, just not as frequently. Typically they're half inch to an inch in dia and npt.

Oil you use depends on the axle. Most use a 75w90 synthetic. There might be a tag on it or it might be written somewhere. Best to look it up based off the axle make and model to be sure.

[Flying I 365]

Depending on the axle (to locate this tag) it might be in one of two places, assuming your rear axle is a Dana/Spicer. Info on the axle itself might be on the build data sheet. First place to find the axle tag would be on the axle housing, on the right side facing the front of the bus. The other place might be in the differential carrier itself, near where the driveshaft enters the rear differential.

If you can’t find the build sheet in your bus, am international dealership or rush truck centers might help. Or this
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f37/n...ase-38729.html

[Dbacks2k4]

Originally Posted by Desertsparky

I have a 2003 ce300 I think haha. One place says 200 and another says 3.

Generally speaking a 200 has a 7.3 T444e or a 6.0 VT365 depending on the year. A 300 will have a DT466e.

[Flying I 365]

Originally Posted by Dbacks2k4

Generally speaking a 200 has a 7.3 T444e or a 6.0 VT365 depending on the year. A 300 will have a DT466e.

Another way to tell what the bus is, wether a CE200 or CE300 would be to see if there is a “doghouse” under the dashboard. A CE300 will have the doghouse (cause the DT466 Inline-6 is longer) while the CE200 will not have one (the T444E or VT365 depending on year is shorter than the DT466)