Oil leaking into handbrake drum - can't seem to cure it!

**Dave_S** · 29th March 2016, 06:36 PM

I have a 110 fitted with an LT95 gearbox/transfer box. It has a very similar handbrake set-up to a lot of other Land Rovers. I can't stop oil leaking from the transfer case into the handbrake drum.

I have changed the seals a couple of times (yes, even the little felt one) and have used various sealants as suggested in some of the threads on this forum. I've checked for play in the output shaft and wear on the flange surface. Everything looks fine. I'm also using quality seals and parts, cleaning everything to surgical standard, lubing the seal and following the workshop manual.

So far as I can tell, it starts leaking as soon as I put it back together. A couple of weeks of suburban driving, or a good trip on the freeway, and the brake shoes are so well lubricated they won't hold the car at all.

I would like to take it to a mechanic, but experience suggests that would be a complete waste of time and money (I can produce a mechanical failure just as well as any self proclaimed "specialist").

So, while I order more seals and break out the tools yet again, does anyone have any idea as to what I might be doing wrong? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

**steveG** · 29th March 2016, 06:41 PM

Is the breather clear?

Steve

**Dave_S** · 29th March 2016, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by steveG

Is the breather clear?

Steve

Nice thought, but I checked that last time. It's clear, but not what you'd call tasty.

**Blknight.aus** · 29th March 2016, 06:48 PM

you have either the wrong and undersized flange shaft diameter so the seal is not closing up properly.

you are screwing the seal on installation (yeah, you can even I still manage it sometimes)

you have an of center seal race so the seal is being "ovaled" while in use

you have a poorly installed speedy sleeve that is not sealing

your having a bad run of luck and have a batch of bad seal at your local supplier (had that batch of 1000 seals all without spring tensioners inside them)

your putting the seal in backwards (Do not laugh, I have seen it)

it will help if you can identify where the oil is leaking out from, sometimes its not even the seal its a rebuild insert thats leaking past the outside of the seal because it wasnt gooped into place.

the first and illegal way of esablishing where the leak is coming from is to remove the handbrake drum, shoes and all loose parts, clean it up, leave it sit and if needed take it for a drive.

when you work out which of the 4 leaks you can potentially have then we can work out how to fix that.

Fair warning, if you have a Tcase thats got the bearing races off true to the seal race, that can get expensive.

**Dave_S** · 29th March 2016, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

you have either the wrong and undersized flange shaft diameter so the seal is not closing up properly.

you are screwing the seal on installation (yeah, you can even I still manage it sometimes)

you have an of center seal race so the seal is being "ovaled" while in use

you have a poorly installed speedy sleeve that is not sealing

your having a bad run of luck and have a batch of bad seal at your local supplier (had that batch of 1000 seals all without spring tensioners inside them)

your putting the seal in backwards (Do not laugh, I have seen it)

it will help if you can identify where the oil is leaking out from, sometimes its not even the seal its a rebuild insert thats leaking past the outside of the seal because it wasnt gooped into place.

the first and illegal way of esablishing where the leak is coming from is to remove the handbrake drum, shoes and all loose parts, clean it up, leave it sit and if needed take it for a drive.

when you work out which of the 4 leaks you can potentially have then we can work out how to fix that.

Fair warning, if you have a Tcase thats got the bearing races off true to the seal race, that can get expensive.

Thanks Dave - plenty of ideas there. Pretty sure I don't have a speedy sleeve. Any idea where I can find the correct flange diameter? Also, while I'm about 99.9% sure I'm putting the seal in the right way around, could you tell me which way it goes (I'd be thrilled to find out if I've got that wrong, as it would be the cheapest solution).

**Blknight.aus** · 29th March 2016, 07:50 PM

this works

**350RRC** · 29th March 2016, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by Dave_S

....... Also, while I'm about 99.9% sure I'm putting the seal in the right way around, could you tell me which way it goes ...............

The lip (s) go over the shaft toward the direction from where the fluid may emanate.

cheers, DL

**Gerokent** · 30th March 2016, 10:32 AM

Also, if you had a "directional" seal (one with little ridges on the lip) that was in the wrong orientation it would pump oil out instead of in.

**Tins** · 31st March 2016, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

you have either the wrong and undersized flange shaft diameter so the seal is not closing up properly.

you are screwing the seal on installation (yeah, you can even I still manage it sometimes)

you have an of center seal race so the seal is being "ovaled" while in use

you have a poorly installed speedy sleeve that is not sealing

your having a bad run of luck and have a batch of bad seal at your local supplier (had that batch of 1000 seals all without spring tensioners inside them)

your putting the seal in backwards (Do not laugh, I have seen it)

it will help if you can identify where the oil is leaking out from, sometimes its not even the seal its a rebuild insert thats leaking past the outside of the seal because it wasnt gooped into place.

the first and illegal way of esablishing where the leak is coming from is to remove the handbrake drum, shoes and all loose parts, clean it up, leave it sit and if needed take it for a drive.

when you work out which of the 4 leaks you can potentially have then we can work out how to fix that.

Fair warning, if you have a Tcase thats got the bearing races off true to the seal race, that can get expensive.

What he said, plus, is the T/C over full?

**Bearman** · 31st March 2016, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by Dave_S

I have a 110 fitted with an LT95 gearbox/transfer box. It has a very similar handbrake set-up to a lot of other Land Rovers. I can't stop oil leaking from the transfer case into the handbrake drum.

I have changed the seals a couple of times (yes, even the little felt one) and have used various sealants as suggested in some of the threads on this forum. I've checked for play in the output shaft and wear on the flange surface. Everything looks fine. I'm also using quality seals and parts, cleaning everything to surgical standard, lubing the seal and following the workshop manual.

So far as I can tell, it starts leaking as soon as I put it back together. A couple of weeks of suburban driving, or a good trip on the freeway, and the brake shoes are so well lubricated they won't hold the car at all.

I would like to take it to a mechanic, but experience suggests that would be a complete waste of time and money (I can produce a mechanical failure just as well as any self proclaimed "specialist").

So, while I order more seals and break out the tools yet again, does anyone have any idea as to what I might be doing wrong? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Have you tried the later double lipped type seal Dave, FTC4939 is the number.

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