Leaking Rear Hub Seal

[mike_ie]

Hey all,

went to fill up with diesel yesterday, and noticed that my rear drivers side wheel was leaking oil from the hub. I'm guessing that there is a seal or gasket somewhere in there that has perished and needs to be replaced - fine, considering that it's a fifteen year old vehicle.

But.... how expensive/difficult of a repair is this? Will I need any special tools to get the hub off? Is it the kind of thing that I should be doing to all four wheels before the others fail too? Better still, is there a set of instructions out there?? :D

[MacFamily]

Looks as if they are are oil lubed bearings mike.

First thing I would do is check the bolts to see if they are tight and then check the diff breather as it looks like the presure from the heat is pushing the oil out.

It would not hurt to pull it down check bearings and seals and replace hub seal.Its not that difficult of a job, you dont require any special tools.

I would also suggest purchasing one of Dave's rave cd manual's from his shop, great cd and the money goes towards the site.http://www.davesitshop.com/davesitshop/

If you tell us your location Iam sure someone on here would be willing to help.

[87County]

it's probably the seal, and if so, consider using a speedisleeve for the new seal to run on

http://www.sealcom.com.au/CR.htm

[Sleepy]

I bought a tube Hub nut Spanner and new bearings.

I am about to do similar to my Series 3.

I figured while I am at it I'd change the wheel bearings :angel:

I haven't done it before and little experience but figure I'll give it a go.

[lardy]

I had the same on the 130, with little experience i would say it would take you a day max-say 0800-1630hrs
get some good grease for the wheelbearing and maybe one of those plastic grease spreading gizmo's
your seal should be cheap as chips.
have a look behind the wheel now and consider the condition of your pads and discs (rotors to you!!) as you are there might as well keep her up to scratch, if they need doing ensure you buy new bolts for the hub to disc as you may shear one putting it back in and watching a grown man cry is never a good thing lol!!
You need some loctite gasket for the flange and might as well get new flange bolts (same deal they can shear) and loctite them in.
I think that covers it ...although if you have to do the discs you could use a vice to help seperate disc/hub and a rubber mallet.

[JDNSW]

That looks like it is the gasket between the drive flange and the hub rather than the hub seal. If this is the case, confirm by removing the wheel and checking that it is not just spreading from the back of the hub, replacing the gasket is almost trivial, although that looks like maxidrive drive flange and axle, and I am not sure it is the same gasket.

It may be leaking because the wheel bearings are loose, causing the drive flange to move on the hub, or because the axle breather is blocked, and both these need to be checked. If thewheel bearings are loose, they should be carefully checked and probably replaced, which means replacing the seal.

John

[mike_ie]

Thanks for the quick responses guys. I'll probably strip down the hub some evening this week and take a look at what's going on inside there. Just one question - where exactly is the rear axle breather located?? One of the things on my list of things to add is a wading kit, so knowing where the breathers are would certainly help :D

[JDNSW]

Thanks for the quick responses guys. I'll probably strip down the hub some evening this week and take a look at what's going on inside there. Just one question - where exactly is the rear axle breather located?? One of the things on my list of things to add is a wading kit, so knowing where the breathers are would certainly help :D

The rear axle breather is on top of the axle between the diff an the LH spring. It should have a plastic tube on it running along the A-frame and eventually ending high up on the engine side of the bulkhead.

John

[lardy]

That looks like it is the gasket between the drive flange and the hub rather than the hub seal. If this is the case, confirm by removing the wheel and checking that it is not just spreading from the back of the hub, replacing the gasket is almost trivial, although that looks like maxidrive drive flange and axle, and I am not sure it is the same gasket.

It may be leaking because the wheel bearings are loose, causing the drive flange to move on the hub, or because the axle breather is blocked, and both these need to be checked. If thewheel bearings are loose, they should be carefully checked and probably replaced, which means replacing the seal.

John
good additional info John forgot about just looking at the flange gasket itself doah!