Front Axle Oil Query Ser III

Question relating to the front axle on a 1973 109"
I replaced the axle seal and new gaskets with gasket maker on all joints
between axle and swivel housing and hub etc.
I noticed recently that my breaks on this side stopped working and found an
oil slick running from the break drum.
I removed the break drum and found grease mixed with gear oil running out of
the rear hub seal on the stub axle.
The way I see it this means that the oil from inside the swivel housing is
splashing and running between the swivel axle shaft and stub shaft (small
gap between the two but no sealing mechanism between the two), mixes with
the grease in the taped bearings and escaping out the oil seal.
I did note a small mark on the stub axle journal where the seal runs that
could have resulted in the leak, but is the oil from the swivel housing
supposed to get into the hub like this or could the diff oil be passing the
axle seal, overflowing the swivel housing and entering the hub in this way.
Any advise would be appreciated and if you could mail to jamesw at pescanova
dot co dot za .
Cheers
James

jamsan wrote:

> Question relating to the front axle on a 1973 109"
> I replaced the axle seal and new gaskets with gasket maker on all joints
> between axle and swivel housing and hub etc.
> I noticed recently that my breaks on this side stopped working and found
> an oil slick running from the break drum.
> I removed the break drum and found grease mixed with gear oil running out
> of the rear hub seal on the stub axle.
> The way I see it this means that the oil from inside the swivel housing is
> splashing and running between the swivel axle shaft and stub shaft (small
> gap between the two but no sealing mechanism between the two), mixes with
> the grease in the taped bearings and escaping out the oil seal.
> I did note a small mark on the stub axle journal where the seal runs that
> could have resulted in the leak, but is the oil from the swivel housing
> supposed to get into the hub like this or could the diff oil be passing
> the axle seal, overflowing the swivel housing and entering the hub in this
> way. Any advise would be appreciated and if you could mail to jamesw at
> pescanova dot co dot za .
> Cheers
> James

Series Landrovers are designed to have free flow of oil between the swivel
and
hub. The wheel bearings were not packed with grease until during S2
production, but before that were filled with oil.
Consequently, the oil leak you have will not be due to the oil coming from
the
swivel - the hub seal is designed to be oil proof. The leak will be because
the seal is faulty, the surface it is running on is grooved (this ring is
replaceable on your model assuming it has the original stub axles) or
because
the axle breather is blocked. Also, if the wheel bearings are excessively
loose the seal will not work.
JD

In message <[email protected]>
"jamsan" <[email protected]> wrote:

> Question relating to the front axle on a 1973 109"
> I replaced the axle seal and new gaskets with gasket maker on all joints
> between axle and swivel housing and hub etc.
> I noticed recently that my breaks on this side stopped working and found an
> oil slick running from the break drum.
> I removed the break drum and found grease mixed with gear oil running out of
> the rear hub seal on the stub axle.
> The way I see it this means that the oil from inside the swivel housing is
> splashing and running between the swivel axle shaft and stub shaft (small
> gap between the two but no sealing mechanism between the two), mixes with
> the grease in the taped bearings and escaping out the oil seal.
> I did note a small mark on the stub axle journal where the seal runs that
> could have resulted in the leak, but is the oil from the swivel housing
> supposed to get into the hub like this or could the diff oil be passing the
> axle seal, overflowing the swivel housing and entering the hub in this way.
> Any advise would be appreciated and if you could mail to jamesw at pescanova
> dot co dot za .
> Cheers
> James
>
>
>

IT's not unusual for new inner hub seals to leak. The problem is usually
down to damage to the seal seat on the stub axle. The seat is replacable
on pre-1980 axles, otherwise its potentially a new stub axle.
However, the problem is mostly caused by sharpness on the edge of the
seat damaging the seal while being fitted. A quick dressing up of
the edge of seat with a file to remove any sharp edges will more
often than not prevent the damage occuring.

Richard
--
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> swivel - the hub seal is designed to be oil proof. The leak will be
because
> the seal is faulty, the surface it is running on is grooved (this ring is
> replaceable on your model assuming it has the original stub axles) or
> because
> the axle breather is blocked. Also, if the wheel bearings are excessively
> loose the seal will not work.
> JD

Very important point JD raised. before anything, check that your breathers
are not blocked. i replaced all the oil seals on a fully floating axle off a
landcruiser, only to find the hub was leaking again within 2 days. had a
look at the breather and it was caked with mud etc. gave it a clean and
guess what, no more leak.

Samuel