Series 3 Rear differential oil seal

After a recent long run in my Series 3 I noticed that oil had been sprayed onto the rear tub floor from the rear differential. I checked the level and it had not dropped too much.

I haven't seen it happen before, so assume that the oil seal must be going. The axle breather is not blocked.

Am I right that I need seal part number FRC4586? I found a guide on here that talks about two different types of seal and drive flange used with Defenders. I assume that this doesn't apply to the Series?

Thanks for any replies.

that seal or frc8220 it makes no difference ,before you undo flange ensure theres no movement in flange apart from rotational as any play shows bearings are worn and just replacing seal would be pointless, you might need a new flange too they are generally pitted and grooved were seal runs

Thanks for the quick reply.

I had read about possible pitting on the drive flange. I think I will take it off and have a look at what condition it is in before ordering a new one.

When you take it off check how tight the nut was as the bearings are twin taper and if nut is slack shaft will have excess play/ lift

And replace the metal seal ring that protects the oil seal from the road crud.

Is there also a felt washer under the nut? I can't remember. I've had some success polishing the carious flanges with flour paper so that the new seal runs smoothly.

Thanks for the replies.

If bearings are worn out, does that mean that the whole differential will have to come apart?

Why does the seal ring need to be changed?

The parts catalogue doesn't show a felt washer.

Webley1991 said:

Thanks for the replies.

If bearings are worn out, does that mean that the whole differential will have to come apart?

Why does the seal ring need to be changed?

The parts catalogue doesn't show a felt washer.

Click to expand...

yes
mudshield it doesnt unless necessary
there isnt one

I have just done this, I did not change the mudshield and there was no felt washer in mine, I just swapped the seal over. It was very easy to do. Just make sure you make sure you seat it fully was the advice I was given. It should sit below the edge of the casing not level with it. If it is level the seal will get damaged and leak again almost imitatively.

To revisit this thread, I ordered a seal and the one that was sent was Britpart. What is the quality of their seals like?

Would I be better off spending a bit more money on another manufacturer?

I've no personal experience of Britpart seals on this application but personally I'd avoid. I think the one I used was Corteco.

It’ll pìss out again anyway. Hardly worth replacing

Bobsticle said:

It’ll pìss out again anyway. Hardly worth replacing

Click to expand...

Not true, i did mine over a year ago with a Britpart kit and it's fine, getting the seal in square and slightly bellow the lip is key ...
Just cos it's in a blue box don't mean its bad ....

Simon Perks said:

Not true, i did mine over a year ago with a Britpart kit and it's fine, getting the seal in square and slightly bellow the lip is key ...
Just cos it's in a blue box don't mean its bad ....

Click to expand...

I completely agree with this. I have not had the problems with blue box parts others have had. I think the problem is consistency rather than all being bad. Although a lot of thier parts now have OEM options which will still come in a blue box!

Simon Perks said:

Not true, i did mine over a year ago with a Britpart kit and it's fine, getting the seal in square and slightly bellow the lip is key ...
Just cos it's in a blue box don't mean its bad ....

Click to expand...

Er hello.
The pìssing seals you replaced probably weren’t britpart and they leaked just like the britpart ones will eventually. The fact of the matter is seals leak on a Land Rover so you will find it’s perfectly true, you simply ain’t waited long enough.

dag019 said:

I completely agree with this. I have not had the problems with blue box parts others have had. I think the problem is consistency rather than all being bad. Although a lot of thier parts now have OEM options which will still come in a blue box!

Click to expand...

Have you phoned Guinness.

Bobsticle said:

Er hello.
The pìssing seals you replaced probably weren’t britpart and they leaked just like the britpart ones will eventually. The fact of the matter is seals leak on a Land Rover so you will find it’s perfectly true, you simply ain’t waited long enough.

Click to expand...

It is in the LandRover DNA, in fact it MUST leak otherwise it's not genuine.

Gazbo said:

It is in the LandRover DNA, in fact it MUST leak otherwise it's not genuine.

Click to expand...

No they’re just crap.

Bobsticle said:

No they’re just crap.

Click to expand...

Strange how my Toyota never leaked oil even though it had twice as many kilometres as my Disco, but we won't talk about that!

Gazbo said:

Strange how my Toyota never leaked oil even though it had twice as many kilometres as my Disco, but we won't talk about that!

Click to expand...

Toyota seemed to steer away from bits of leather and bluetack. I never did understand the japs. Freaks.