P38A front 1/2 shaft oil seal problem

[tarphenry]

Hi assistance is required by members if possible, I replaced the oil seal a few months ago without problems,but I noticed the other day oil on the front wheel. on investigation it is a split in the CV boot.Today I stripped it to replace the boot and as I removed the half shaft I noticed that the oil seal is wearing already. there are wear marks at 20 past 1/2 past and 20 to the hour. I can find no play in either the CV joint or the wheel bearing . tyre wear is even across the tread. am I missing something obvious.could it be that it is just a cheapoil seal and that the official one is much better. and advice would be appreciated thanks

 

[tomcat59alan]

Don't they have to be centred ?

 

[Grrrrrr]

Don't they have to be centred ?

There wasn't much choice when I put mine in, IIRC. The Britpart ones are naff though. Remember that. I bought 2 and then regretted it. Next time, Land Rover ones go in.

 

[wammers]

Shaft needs to be centred by adjusting lower ball joint adjuster up or down. In your case down to raise the shaft and centre it in oil seal. The special tool for doing this is a snip at £900.00.

 

[tarphenry]

Yes, it looks as though the person who fitted the ball joints, simply pressed them in and has not considered the centralising the hub.I will get 2 new ball joints and come up with a centralising strategy . should be simple enough, just 2 concentric circles.oh joy

 

[tarphenry]

Hi, been considering my options with regard to the oil seal problems and have come to some conclusions that I would like your opinions on please, 1 there is no play in either top or bottom ball joints and no damage to rubbers so I do not intend to replace them 2 I intend to split off the hub carrier and remove the adjusting nut by splitting with a saw and breaking it out if it doesnt unscrew 3 When i rebuild the unit the only measurement that you need is the difference between the i/d of the oilseal dia and the hub carrier i/d divided by 2 this will give me the center of the 2 concentric circles. Because you can only adjust the vertical hight that is all the complicated jig can set. or am I missing something?