County Hub Seal Leak

[kailanayacht]

I have noticed an oil leak coming from my hub caps on 1985 Couty. The oil is making a spray pattern on the wheel rims as pictured. The leaks are coming from the drivers side only front and rear. The leak on the front hub (pictured with old black hub cap) seems to be coming from around the rim of the cap where it meets the hub. The leak on the rear hub (pictured with the new heavy duty hub cap assembly) seems to be coming from one of the bolts holding the hub cap assemble onto the hub but this is just my best guess. Can anyone suggest where the leak is most likely to be coming from and how to repair? Could it be just an easy replacement of drive flange gasket or most likely bearing hub seal? Are the drive flange gaskets same part number for the 2 types of hub caps?

[Red90]

Probably the gasket on the drive flange. Make sure the bolts are tight first.

[JDNSW]

The first picture is leaking from the flange gasket. Check the bolts are tight. If they are loose, it is most likely that the wheel bearings are loose, and you may have one on the way to failure. If the flange bolts are tight, most likely just needs a new gasket - it can be replaced without even jacking up the wheel, but I would jack it up to check the bearing.

The second picture shows leakage from the hubcap. This is simply a matter of replacing the cap, although be aware that there are some available that do not do a good job of sealing. Some form of sealant is useful. Also, check to ensure that the axle breather is free.

[kailanayacht]

Thanks for the info JDNSW. I live out on an island and the county gets left on the mainland (no cars out here) and will be going back next week so will check the bolts then and report back to the forum with my results. With regard to to checking the bearings can this be done simply by jacking the wheel off the ground and looking for play when applying pressure to the top / bottom of the wheel i.e. trying to 'rock' the wheel on its axle? If there is no play in the wheel then should be safe to say bearings should be okay without pulling hub off for further inspection?