Leaking Front Hub - What is wrong
- Thread starter bluebossa
- Start date
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crashbox
Well-Known Member
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- 12,347
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- In the UK, thankfully.
Oil is in the centre of your axle which is obviously hollow. The oil should only get as far as the inner part of the outer end of the drive shaft and is stopped by gaskets and a rubber washer. If any have deteriorated then oil will leak past and into the cover for the swivel ball as shown in your photo. Your shaft may have worn where the rubber gasket/washer contacts it and even if you replace the rubber washer, it will still seep past. I had this problem on an ex RAF lightweight S3. You will feel a very slight groove on the shaft when you pull it out of the axle. Not a big job to replace. My problem was on the rear but I think it will be similar for the front.
Looks like the swivel to ball seal has gone, oil is leaking out from inside the gaiter. Needs a new seal and possibly ball, if water has got inside the gaiter and rusted and pitted the chromed surface. Best way is to strip the whole thing down and inspect it all for corrosion and wear but, if you're confident the rest of the swivel gubbins are ok you can replace the seal by unbolting the ball from the axle and pulling the whole swivel out, half shaft and all.
crashbox
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 12,347
- Location
- In the UK, thankfully.
+1 of course, the front will have the swivel seals.
Thinking about it, I had a swivel seal go, water got as far as the wheel bearings and totally knackered them in no time. Found half an inch of play at the edge of the road wheel! Ended up replacing the seal, ball, top bush and bottom bearing and pins and the wheel bearings. It was a bit of a mess inside.....
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Series 3 - 1979.
How many seals are there and how much do they cost?
Happy to change but never done this job before.
