Series 2 Rear Axle Dust Cover

Greetings
We have some EP90 dripping out the rear axle dust cap, plan to check the breathers and clean / replace as needed. Question is, these seem to be a press fit and new ones are very tight. Any tricks for recommendations on best way to remove old stuck ones? And best way to install the new ones (rubber mallet?)..... It appears there was also a silicon bead applied to the inside to form a seal also, I suspect this is what had failed and in now dripping oil on the outside of the rim / tire (inside is clean)..... Will inspect some more, looking for advise on the removal and installation of the dust caps and sealing. Thanks!
(1969 SWB NAS 2a).
John

I use a medium hammer on such delicate equipment and save the sledge for heavy work like setting points.

Early axle on my series 3 no sealant on hub caps later ones after 1983 have an o ring I believe. Felt washer on halfshat end should be holding the oil back RTC3515 .

Late ones are plastic like a thick aerosol lid. Earlier ones mekul I think. I too have suffered a leaky hub cap or two. As above they are a dust cap and not an oil barrier. Stop the oil collecting behind it firstly then as a belt and braces exercise apply a smidge of silicone to the edge of the new ones.

If the hub is leaking oil I'd prefer to see the evidence on the outside of the wheel, and fix it before it contaminates the brake shoes. The seal in the hub is where you should be looking, in my experience. Others may disagree of course.

RobertP said:

If the hub is leaking oil I'd prefer to see the evidence on the outside of the wheel, and fix it before it contaminates the brake shoes. The seal in the hub is where you should be looking, in my experience. Others may disagree of course.

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Very wise if your routine maintenance is somewhat hit n miss.

I do disagree, this post is about the axle cap leaking.

tottot said:

I do disagree, this post is about the axle cap leaking.

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And you have every right to.

Just a update - issue solved with new felt washers properly installed.... The new "hub caps" were smoothed out a tad and some lite oil applied to help they slip on. A block of hood and 4# hammer to set them on square. then a rubber mallet was able to seat them all the way back. These were a tight fit indeed, and seem to get bent a bit upon removal if you pry to hard from one location. the old hub caps did have some caulking applied to from a bit of a extra seal by the PO. Happy motoring, prepping for a 250 mile ride in 4th gear,