Need a 5 min education on what oils to replace

[csramsey640]

Someone fill me in on this new-to me truck.

Its a 2000 Freightliner Century Class. I just did Oil, fuel and water filters, but I want to do more.

Is there Hub oil in the front axle or greased bearings? If so where do i access it?

Do both rear diffs provide oil to the outer bearing/hubs or is it seperate? Again, if it is, where is access?

Fuel filter. This truck has a clear plastic type seperator on the drivers front frame rail and takes a cartridge. Is there any other fuel filter used in that type of system?

Thanks... :?: Im learning.

[bob h]

Someone fill me in on this new-to me truck.

Its a 2000 Freightliner Century Class. I just did Oil, fuel and water filters, but I want to do more.

Is there Hub oil in the front axle or greased bearings? If so where do i access it?

Do both rear diffs provide oil to the outer bearing/hubs or is it seperate? Again, if it is, where is access?

Fuel filter. This truck has a clear plastic type seperator on the drivers front frame rail and takes a cartridge. Is there any other fuel filter used in that type of system?

Thanks... :?: Im learning.

The round, stamped steel, bolted-on hub caps have grease. Not likely in a class 8 truck, as they are primarily oil-filled.

If the steer axle has a "hex-shaped" cover in the center of the wheel hub, it is not serviceable at all (unitized bearing)... but, keep an eye on the bearings.


The hub cap with the transparent window and red center plug has oil in it. The oil is probably synthetic 75w90.

It DOES require service/inspection.

The most basic check is the level, most of these hubcaps have a MIN/MAX level line in the transparent window, if it's low... check for a leaking wheel seal. If the front of the window (around the red plug) is wet from fluid, the vent plug may be blocked, replace it. If the plug is NOT very flexible, or it is pink or faded from weathering... replace it... it is not simply a plug.

Next, try dipping your finger into the fluid, then checking under a light for sparkly stuff in the oil, the presence of sparkly filings indicates that a bearing/race may be failing.

Smell the oil as well checking for a burnt smell.

If the oil needs to be replaced, MAKE SURE whoever does it is familiar with the procedures, the wheel only stays on so long as teh bearing is properly lubricated and cooled!!!!!!! Make sure that after assembly when you are re-filling the hub that you let the oil run-down and top-up a minimum of 3 times... I.E. - leave the level to settle-out at least 3 times (at least a 20-30 minute time frame would be nice). Then, re-inspect that level again before driving away.

The drive axle bearing's oil level is inspected at the differential fill plug. Signs of contamination at this plug could indicate gear or bearing problems in the differential (power divider) or the wheel-end. A magnetic fill plug may look "fuzzy" from very fine metal filings... this MIGHT be normal, have it looked at by a mechanic.

The differential oil level should be just at the bottom of the FILL plug hole. Seal leaks in a drive axle are often cause by axle vents being plugged, they should be checked.

The fuel filter(s) would be dependant on the make of engine...

[csramsey640]

Its a Cummins n14. When I tried to get a filter for it, it showed a spin on. Which i havent seen anywhere, but didnt list a cartridge. I had to cross ref the old filter number. The seperator is located right behind the LF wheel on the frame rail.