hub & axle question

[stevep]

Hi all,
I have been cleaning up the rear axle housing & springs over the week end of my 1958 SWB. The rear hub driving flange has a small allan key bolt/plug - what do you think it is for? top up the hub with oil? it's only on the rear two & is it standard?

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/05/199.jpg

Also this is the axle on the long side - anybody recognize the name - is it a standard axle? maybe she broke one at sometime in it's life.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/05/200.jpg

thanks

regards
Steve

[Ozdunc]

I'm no expert on LRs but that looks like an after market mod to the flange.
I don't think Allen key bolts existed back in '58:D
Prob someone bright idea to regrease their bearings without pulling the nub apart, not sure how well it would get the grease to the inner bearing though.

Maybe someone will have a better idea soon:angel:

[isuzutoo-eh]

The allen key bolt is standard, Dunc they are oil filled not grease filled hubs.

[Blknight.aus]

fill/check plug.

put it vertical (at the topto fill)
put it horizontal to level off the fluid.

Done.

[JDNSW]

Filler plug was standard up to about Series 2, but it is only used for the initial charge, after that the hub is kept up by oil from the diff/swivel. Then it was realised that you could dispense with the filler if you greased the bearings on assembly. I think the spider as opposed to round flanges ended about the same time.

Dufour is a well known brand of axle, and I think it likely that it is a replacement, and probably a standard one. Even if Dufour supplied OEM axles, I doubt that they would have the manufacturer's name on them. The AS probably stands for 'Australian Standard', meaning it is an Australian made axle.

John

[Ozdunc]

The allen key bolt is standard, Dunc they are oil filled not grease filled hubs.

Well, like the man in orthopaedic shoes; I stand corrected!
Oil filled bearings I usually only have that when a seals gone.

Apologies for the bum steer. Was I right about the Allen key bolt being aftermarket?:angel:

[JDNSW]

Well, like the man in orthopaedic shoes; I stand corrected!
Oil filled bearings I usually only have that when a seals gone.

Apologies for the bum steer. Was I right about the Allen key bolt being aftermarket?:angel:

No. The Allen head screw was standard. Allen's patent for production of these dates to 1910, and they became fairly common during WW2, although this use by Rover in 1948 would have been fairly unusual in cars. But remember Rover had been building aeroplane parts from 1938-1945.

John

[Ozdunc]

Ha ha. I'll get my coat.

You learn something new everyday. Makes you wonder why slotted head screws and bolts were still used, if Allen key heads had been around for so long previously.

[Warb]

Filler plug was standard up to about Series 2, but it is only used for the initial charge, after that the hub is kept up by oil from the diff/swivel. Then it was realised that you could dispense with the filler if you greased the bearings on assembly. I think the spider as opposed to round flanges ended about the same time.

So what is the correct rebuild process? If a filler is present, is it correct to use 1/3 pint of oil as the old manual says? And more imporantly, if a filler isn't present (as is the case with replacement "round" drive members) should the hub and bearings be packed with grease, or just "lightly greased" in the hope that oil will flow from the diff?

[stevep]

Well, thanks all for the replies. It makes more sense now. I could not understand why the rear hub would be different to the front as I assumed they were all grease lubricated. I did a google on Dufor & saw that they seemed to make Aussie tools so I assumed it was an aust. replacement axle.

When I am packing the new bearings - the hub bearing kit has two small packets of grease - should I use more grease than they supply? How much should I use or how full should the space between the two bearing be?

Also another question - with the oil seal - do you put a small amount of grease in the back of the lip where the spring is?

regards
Steve

[chazza]

So what is the correct rebuild process? If a filler is present, is it correct to use 1/3 pint of oil as the old manual says? And more imporantly, if a filler isn't present (as is the case with replacement "round" drive members) should the hub and bearings be packed with grease, or just "lightly greased" in the hope that oil will flow from the diff?

That is correct - fill with oil if there is a filler, or grease the bearings if not. I would pack the bearings properly but not the space in between them where the stub axle is.

Dufor made valves as well,

Cheers Charlie

[B.S.F.]

No filler? Just drive a quick figure-8,and the oil gets pushed into the hubs,check the oil again in the diff and top up if necessary W.

[MJKMS]

I'm going to go against the general consciences. I wouldn't put oil in the hub assembly front or rear. Even if you have found a way to do that via the allen key filler screw. Pack the wheel bearings well with good quality grease, get quite a bit in there. Make sure the hub seal and seal ride on the stub axle are in good nick, and the breather on the axle housing is working, and you will be laughing. Oil will find it's way into the hub any way and mix with the grease the result is a sort of really thick oil or thin grease that is less inclined to find its way out through the hub seal and ultimately on to the brakes, or out the drive member caps and on to the wheels for that matter.

[B.S.F.]

I'm going to go against the general consciences. I wouldn't put oil in the hub assembly front or rear. Even if you have found a way to do that via the allen key filler screw. Pack the wheel bearings well with good quality grease, get quite a bit in there. Make sure the hub seal and seal ride on the stub axle are in good nick, and the breather on the axle housing is working, and you will be laughing. Oil will find it's way into the hub any way and mix with the grease the result is a sort of really thick oil or thin grease that is less inclined to find its way out through the hub seal and ultimately on to the brakes, or out the drive member caps and on to the wheels for that matter.
If you ever have to do repairs away from home, away from the comforts of your workshop and have to take your hub apart and clean it, it'd be a lot easier and less messy if it only contained oil. W.

[chazza]

Oil is also a much better lubricant than grease for bearings anyway; so if the facility exists to fill it with oil; go for it!

Grease is used on later hubs to provide initial lubrication until the oil gets in there,

Cheers Charlie