Hub removal causing swivel oil leak

twinter82 · Feb 3, 2015

So I started one of those 5 minute jobs yesterday that seems to be rapidly snowballing into something else, and I just want to check with those wiser than me that I am on the correct course.

I needed to renew the front brake discs on my 90, so started by removing the calipers, and then the hub assembly. I didn't drain the oil from the swivel (assume I wasn't meant to?) and as I was part way through the hub removal oil started to leak out of the main swivel ball seal.

My question is, is this normal? I have assumed not, and that I need to change the swivel seals.

I'm just about to remove the half shaft though so I thought I'd better just check that I'm not going OTT, and that I didn't just have to top up the oil when refitting the hub and put the leak down to pressure increase within the swivel when removing the hub.

the_wolf · Feb 3, 2015

Nope you shouldn't have to touch the swivel when removing the hub. As you said you'll be needing to change the swivel seals but you might as well do the swivel bearings and whatnot while you've got it apart.

twinter82 · Feb 3, 2015

the_wolf said:
Nope you shouldn't have to touch the swivel when removing the hub. As you said you'll be needing to change the swivel seals but you might as well do the swivel bearings and whatnot while you've got it apart.

Thanks, turning into quite an involved job and forking out for all sorts that I hadn't expected to just to do the brakes so thought best to check! Happened on both sides too which made me think I may have got it wrong somewhere.

jamesmartin · Feb 3, 2015

twinter82 said:
So I started one of those 5 minute jobs yesterday that seems to be rapidly snowballing into something else, and I just want to check with those wiser than me that I am on the correct course.

I needed to renew the front brake discs on my 90, so started by removing the calipers, and then the hub assembly. I didn't drain the oil from the swivel (assume I wasn't meant to?) and as I was part way through the hub removal oil started to leak out of the main swivel ball seal.

My question is, is this normal? I have assumed not, and that I need to change the swivel seals.

I'm just about to remove the half shaft though so I thought I'd better just check that I'm not going OTT, and that I didn't just have to top up the oil when refitting the hub and put the leak down to pressure increase within the swivel when removing the hub.

have you undone top swivel pin bolts , if you do you need to place a jack or support underneath to stop swivel housing dropping and allowing swivel seal to leak

twinter82 · Feb 3, 2015

jamesmartin said:
have you undone top swivel pin bolts , if you do you need to place a jack or support underneath to stop swivel housing dropping and allowing swivel seal to leak

Ah... yes I did undo these to get the caliper off and only replaced finger tight. If that is what caused the leak do I still need to replace seals or can I just put one shot in and put everything back together?

jamesmartin · Feb 3, 2015

once retightened seal will be relocated and you just need to top up what you lost

twinter82 · Feb 3, 2015

jamesmartin said:
once retightened seal will be relocated and you just need to top up what you lost

You sir, are a genius. Thank you.

Hub removal causing swivel oil leak

twinter82

Active Member

the_wolf

Well-Known Member

twinter82

Active Member

jamesmartin

Well-Known Member

twinter82

Active Member

jamesmartin

Well-Known Member

twinter82

Active Member

Similar threads