Rear Axle Oil Leak

Guys,

for the past few days I had a squeak coming from the n/s rear, which I thought was probably just a suspension bush.

To my horror, when I looked yesterday, the inside of the wheel rim, brake disc, caliper and brake pads are soaked in oil. BOLLIX!!! I have searched through RAVE this moring ready to do the job and have found the section regarding hub removal and oil seal replacement, which doesn't look too bad.

What I can't find is any reference to rear wheel bearings, and examination of. As I am stripping the hub off, is it worth the extra hassle of bearing replacement, (no obvious play or noise from bearing) or are the oil seals prone to failing and therefore just replacing that should be ok.

Any thoughts appreciated

Thanks for all the help and advice that poured in yesterday

I replaced the oil seal in the axle for a very reasonable £4.67 plus VAT from LR which turned out to be a really straight forward job.

The bad news comes if anyone has a rear wheel bearing problem. They are not available as replaceable items, instead LR will sell you a complete drive flange assembly, with bearings already installed. For this privilige LR will relieve you of £360 plus the taxman. OUCHHHHH

Fortunately my bearing seems OK and if push came to shove I could probably strip the old one down, having access to hydraulic presses etc. It just seems yet another example of LR making a £10 part cost £400.