Defender 110 1987 - Ominous Axle squeak...

Hello,

1987 110 ex MOD, LHD 2.5 N\A Diesel 12J engine

could anyone offer advice on the replacement seals (part numbers or what they are called) which are needed after doing a front wheel hub strip down? I have a squeaking noise coming from what sounds like the right hand side of the front axle. Fluid levels in the axle are good and breather pipes clean, but the right front wheel has been getting covered in fluid coming from the centre hub. It's been in the local garage and they fixed a bunch of oil leaks and topped up all the fluids (apart from the swivel grease, I guess), but the squeak is still there. Definitely some kind of rotational squeaking\rubbing which comes on when going uphill (freewheeling or going on the flat produces no noise) - the more torque, the louder the noise...!! I am thinking maybe a worn CV joint, wheel bearing or driveshaft? There was also a bit of steering wheel vibration which came on around 40 mph, but that seems to have gone away on its own (not a good sign?). As always, any advice greatly appreciated.Thanks.

Have you tried looking here Lrcat to get part numbers for seals, bearings etc

Check the Vin number as I may not have picked the right1 for the example.

Are you doing the work yourself? cos you will need a big socket for your nuts. As you said it went to a garage for oils etc. I doubt it.

But why would they not check the swivel grease? although I know some say leave out a seal so swivel is lubed with axle oil but dont know which 1 or why.

J

A UJ that is starting to seize is my first thought.
It goes like this, vibration mostly when under load then the squeaking [ the Canary underneath ] Next total seizure will result in lots of vibration for a bit but then a journal spits out the needle bearings and the canary goes away. There may just be some rattle now but joint is on borrowed time before it comes apart. The problem starts when one journal stops taking grease and goes dry, grease only goes to the other three. A hot and or rusty journal is a clue.

marjon said:

Have you tried looking here Lrcat to get part numbers for seals, bearings etc

Check the Vin number as I may not have picked the right1 for the example.

Are you doing the work yourself? cos you will need a big socket for your nuts. As you said it went to a garage for oils etc. I doubt it.

But why would they not check the swivel grease? although I know some say leave out a seal so swivel is lubed with axle oil but dont know which 1 or why.

J

Click to expand...

Thanks for the link - I will check that out. These guys at the garage mostly fix tractors - I think they sorted out all the "easy" stuff, like the oil leaks that were easy to get at, but they didn't investigate much as to the squeaks from underneath.

tottot said:

A UJ that is starting to seize is my first thought.
It goes like this, vibration mostly when under load then the squeaking [ the Canary underneath ] Next total seizure will result in lots of vibration for a bit but then a journal spits out the needle bearings and the canary goes away. There may just be some rattle now but joint is on borrowed time before it comes apart. The problem starts when one journal stops taking grease and goes dry, grease only goes to the other three. A hot and or rusty journal is a clue.

Click to expand...

Right - I will check those out. Put it on flat ground with the wheels chocked and handbrake off to see if there is play in the UJs - I seem to remember that from last time I changed them (over 10 years ago)... Cheers.

There may be no play in a seized joint but if you jack wheel and give it a spin you will feel the knotch in joint as the prop turns. [ cause of vibration as you drive ] If needle rollers gone it will be well loose.