Near side front wheel showing oil

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Takerjw

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Hi All, just arrived in France in our Defender 110 Adventure and noticed that my front wheel is showing oil on the outer rim. Having looked underneath can see oil on the inside rim and looking up - any ideas on cause / seriousness? Images attached.
Many thanks
John
 

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Hi All, just arrived in France in our Defender 110 Adventure and noticed that my front wheel is showing oil on the outer rim. Having looked underneath can see oil on the inside rim and looking up - any ideas on cause / seriousness? Images attached.
Many thanks
John

You need to try and clean it off to work out where it is coming from. It is most likely either oil/grease leaking form a swivel seal (do you know if you have oil or grease in your swivels?), oil/grease leaking out of the rubber cap on the drive flange, or depending on where it is coming form I have had a leaking brake calliper look similar.

The first two are not a huge problem, A new rubber drive flange cap is very cheap and will fit tightly enough to stop it temporarily if it is coming form there until you get home. Similarly if it is a swivel seal that is leaking chuck a little extra oneshot in the swivel and it will see you home. If it is a leaking brake calliper that is the least likely but also the most serious and will have other noticeable symptoms regarding pedal travel and braking performance.

In terms of longer terms of long term fixes if it is the swivel seal the only option is to strip down and replace. There are kits available with everything you need including a new swivel if required but your look in good condition with no pitting. If it is the drive flange cap leaking then it depends if it is the bearing grease breaking down and leaking in which case regrease, and replace the cap, or if it is the diff oil/swivel oil migrating down the drive shaft in which case the stub axle seal will need to be replaced.
 
Adding to the above, could be the hub seal, the one you see behind the disc when hub/disc removed. Also be worth a check that the axle breather pipe is clear.
 
As it appears to be coming from the very top I would be checking them top swivel pin bolts are tight, then having a look at the brake pipes/hoses.
 
To me it looks like it's leaking from the outer drive flange area then running down the inside of the wheel.
In general though it looks you have a few different leaks.
 
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