Thread: After advice on front hub grease leak

Can't comment on the Selectro hub leak too much, as I am not familiar with them, but that leak is within the hub. The other one is the seal on the inside of the hub (not a big job, but a bit messy, and it is possible the surface the seal runs on is worn excessively). Should be oil, not grease, although if it is only a very slight leak it may look like grease. It could be grease if the wheel bearing and the swivel are grease lubricated - swivel is supposed to be oil, and using grease, although not the special "one-shot" grease will cause premature failure of the top swivel bush.

John

Mmm.
My swivels are filled with grease...largely. (ive begun to top up with EP90)

So basically I should be buying hub seals?

your hub seal looks reasonable....

if your vehicle was running grease packed bearings prior to you purchasing it or you've covered 50K Km then you need to pull the hub down to clean, inspect and regrease the bearings. (and replace the hub seal)

I think one of the axles I have out the back has a selctro on it like yours. do you want me to check that out for you?

Yeah OK, probably time for a strip and clean.

The only history I have on the vehicle is that the swivels and seals were replaced about 9 months before I bought it.
I know the mechanic who did it and would not be surprised if he was too lazy to do the hub seals etc while he was in there..

I have no idea how many km's its done, the clock has gone around at least once.. (at least!)

If you have time to check out that axle of yours I would definitely appreciate it!

Ash, inner hub seal definately and outer leak will be the Selectro hub. Attached fitting instructions with exploded view of hub. With luck it'll just be the 'O' ring.

Cause may be a non functioning axle breather perhaps or are the front swivel pins completely sealed from the inner axle case (I don't think it could be but I've not pulled one apart for twenty years. Someone else here will know.

If you've been topping up the grease (bad) with gear oil it could be causing a bit of extra pressure in the casing too perhaps. Grease was probably put in because of leaking swivel housings though so expect the worst if you get rid of it.

Cheers
Lakey.

your hub seal will be the oring failed from having grit get at it then being selcted and unselected