Potential fluid leak right front wheel - can someone tell me what is the potential issue? This is a 1993 LR defender 90 200TDI 53k miles

Leaking swivel ball seal.clean off excess oil & check again after a drive.

Welcome .

Its called LR self lubrication, when its dry top it up.

Looks nice on top though.

Oh and wot e sed^^^

J

Hicap phill said:

Leaking swivel ball seal.clean off excess oil & check again after a drive.

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If the excess oil is there again, the seal needs to be replaced? Sorry. I am new here and definitely not a mechanic...

Welcome, nice looking Landy.
Yes the seal would need replacing. Don't buy very cheap parts or you will be paying to get it done again.
It's not a massive job to do, worth having a go yourself maybe.

So as your in an engine forum, whats your question on the engine ?


Back in the dark ages 30 + years ago so before forums, one of my RR swivels started leaking, the information was to add a splash of grease into the swivel via the fill or level plug hole.

No quantity of grease was given but after removing the level plug, as it was easer, I squeezed around 10 grease gun shots and after 20 or 30 miles or so the swivel had stopped leaking and never returned and the existing oil remained in.

After purchasing my disco I found the swivels were now grease filled, word was getting around and some owners with oil filled swivels started draining them and using grease that LR now sold called ‘one shot’ grease in packets of the correct amount required.

My disco is 27 years old and the swivels have never been touch

Check the swivel balls for pitting. Pitting damages the seals so if they are pitted they may damage any replacement seals and it would be worth considering replacing the swivel balls.

I ended up doing both of mine but the cost has gone up dramatically since I did them.

Be aware there are two types - one with a rialco top bus and the other with a bearing on top. Yours is around the time that they changed so you need to know what you have. I think they can also be abs or non abs - again worth checking.

I think the seal was also made in two types - one at 11mm thick and one at 9mm, but unfortunately I can't remember which one fits the different types.

In the trade we would call that a weep, a leak is when the liquid hits the floor.
As said wipe it off and monitor it.
Might be worth jacking that side of the axle up and checking for play in the bearings, swivel and wheel.
That swivel ball looks in very good condition.

My swivels looked great from the front, but the back was a different story!

lynall said:

In the trade we would call that a weep, a leak is when the liquid hits the floor.
As said wipe it off and monitor it.
Might be worth jacking that side of the axle up and checking for play in the bearings, swivel and wheel.
That swivel ball looks in very good condition.

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If that is your biggest defender problem you are golden