Defender td5 axle oil leak help needed!

I have a 2.5litre 2004 defender 90 county station wagon that's done 64,000 miles. Both my front and rear axles are dripping a small amount of oil. It looks like the pinion oil seals must be the culprits where the prop shafts connect.

I know the td5 uses a special crush washer on the bearings of the axle but I'm wondering if you could advise the best way to replace both the front and rear axle pinion seals. And also whilst doing this job is there anything else worth looking at whilst it's in bits.


Also you have obviously got to remove the prop shafts to do this job but I've heard when you reinstall the prop shafts you have to replace the bolts with new ones. Is this true?

Check both breathers are clear first, may also be worth checking the levels to see if they are overfull. If overfull it may be worth checking your oil is clean and not emulsified which would be a sign that water has got in (hence the rise in oil level)

Didn't you believe the answers on the other thread you started?

No one seems to have definitely confirmed how tight you are supposed to tighten the drive flange back up. I just don't want to knacker the bearings.

Will check axle breathers first I replaced all oils a few months ago filled them so it just trickles out of axle filler hole

hmaden08 said:

No one seems to have definitely confirmed how tight you are supposed to tighten the drive flange back up. I just don't want to knacker the bearings.

Will check axle breathers first I replaced all oils a few months ago filled them so it just trickles out of axle filler hole

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since there is a solid shim between the bearings it doesnt matter how tight bolt is as long as threads dont strip or bolt is so loose it comes undone