Thread: Front Wheel bearing wear!.on defender.

Use an RTC3511 seal, it stops anything getting in or out. the later model hub seals are crap IMO.

Originally Posted by rick130

Use an RTC3511 seal, it stops anything getting in or out. the later model hub seals are crap IMO.

That's an interesting comment Rick as I have been running FRC8221 in my car for the last two years and they have actually been fine. Plenty of river crossings, mud etc. And they run 80/90 oil front and rear.

However after reading all the posts about double lipped seals etc I replaced my fronts with RTC3511.

Because the fronts were fine when checking and no leaks developed I have left the rear seals until the next major service.

Originally Posted by MinniTheMoocha

That's an interesting comment Rick as I have been running FRC8221 in my car for the last two years and they have actually been fine. Plenty of river crossings, mud etc. And they run 80/90 oil front and rear.

However after reading all the posts about double lipped seals etc I replaced my fronts with RTC3511.

Because the fronts were fine when checking and no leaks developed I have left the rear seals until the next major service.

When I bought my 130 back at the end of '01, three of the four hubs had water in them, and the vehicle had come from Tennant Ck/Alice Springs !

It may have come through the plastic axle caps too, but everyone blames the seals.

A lot of people, including Maxi Drive advised to use the old style seals and I've never had a problem since. Up until two years ago, I had to drive through a river at least twice a day to get to/from home.

Originally Posted by rick130

When I bought my 130 back at the end of '01, three of the four hubs had water in them, and the vehicle had come from Tennant Ck/Alice Springs !

It may have come through the plastic axle caps too, but everyone blames the seals.

A lot of people, including Maxi Drive advised to use the old style seals and I've never had a problem since. Up until two years ago, I had to drive through a river at least twice a day to get to/from home.

What seals did it come with? Was it running oiled bearings or greased?

I seal the front end caps with Locktite gasket seal. So far it has worked well for me. I have Maxi's on the rear.

So I agree with you that the RTC3511 are probably the best seals and you definitely do more river crossings than me but am surprised that my rears haven't developed a leak yet, and the last time I checked the diff oil it was perfect so no contamination.

From memory, the RTC3511 seals have a retaining spring on both the inner and the outer lip of the seal. The 8221 seals have no springs, relying on the seal material to keep it's characteristics. Temperature, dirt and time change these and sooner or later they leak.

I inspect our wheel bearings and replace all hub seals annually before holidays (ever since I had a seized wheel bearing years ago)

I was advised to use the RTC3511 when I disgarded the inner seals on my rear axles to allow the wheel bearings to be running in diff oil.

Check that your seal hasn't worn a grove into the hub, causing the problem.

Erich

Originally Posted by MinniTheMoocha

What seals did it come with? Was it running oiled bearings or greased?

I seal the front end caps with Locktite gasket seal. So far it has worked well for me. I have Maxi's on the rear.

So I agree with you that the RTC3511 are probably the best seals and you definitely do more river crossings than me but am surprised that my rears haven't developed a leak yet, and the last time I checked the diff oil it was perfect so no contamination.

can't remember the pt #, but it was the original OE seal from a late '98 Defender and they were all still greased bearings (and the rear drive flanges/axles were totally shagged too)

Funnily enough the front hubs still only sport the plastic caps, and all I've ever done is stick them on with a generous dollop of grease around the inside lip as the front wheel bearings are still greased.
Rears have been oil lubed for at least six years.

Originally Posted by Bundalene

<snip>

Check that your seal hasn't worn a grove into the hub, causing the problem.

Erich

I had to Speedi Sleeve one rear stub axle thanks to this. It's been fine since.

Originally Posted by rick130

Use an RTC3511 seal, it stops anything getting in or out. the later model hub seals are crap IMO.

Thats the one i got, looks like it will do a better job,

Thanks


Sumo.