Front axle seal leak

[Hammer H]

Hi All,

Just noticed my rhs front axle seal has a leak, it's possible this has been slightly leaking for some time but I have only recently taken notice as I had two drops of oil on my tyre.

Im thinking to check the diff oil level top up if required and continue on my 1500 km trip I have planned in two days and watch and the level during the trip.

does this sound like good plan or should the seal be replaced ASAP?

[Hoges]

It's about a steady hour's work to replace one seal. RAVE has a step by step description. You can remove the axle, CV joint and hub as a single unit. This saves time. see also http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery-2/166842-front-axle-seal-direction.html#post1835178 re. how to fit the seal... Shell "Retinax" is recommended... use it liberally. If you do it now you won't be worrying on the trip;).

[glenhendry]

While I concur with Hoges's recommendation to fix, it may be useful information to know that my seal has been leaking (very slowly) on the right front for many months. Each time I replace the diff oil, it still appears full, or full enough. YMMV.

Also, it is not good for us to drop oil onto the road, for those two-wheeler types, especially, so this is a good reminder for me to do mine. :)

Let me know where you get your seal from :)

[p38arover]

There was a TSB about the seal. LR came out with a new seal which allows for some wobble of the half shaft. FTC 4822 replaces FTC 3452 driveshaft seal

Mine has the later seals fitted.

(I can't upload the TSB at the moment as Inc has the upload capability turned off temporarily. The TSB no. is 540396)