Wheel Oil leak

Some_Genius · Dec 29, 2023

Hi, I'm looking for some advice. I recently changed the swivel ball seal on drivers front wheel of our 90. Having gone out today for a spot of Green Laning I noticed these two streams of oil when we got back.

When I changed the swivel seal I did so by taking the whole hub off as one rather than taking it all apart.

Fairly new to all this and looking for a steer on what might be causing this leak.

Cheers

Def90man · Dec 30, 2023

Some_Genius said:
Hi, I'm looking for some advice. I recently changed the swivel ball seal on drivers front wheel of our 90. Having gone out today for a spot of Green Laning I noticed these two streams of oil when we got back.

View attachment 306171
When I changed the swivel seal I did so by taking the whole hub off as one rather than taking it all apart.

Fairly new to all this and looking for a steer on what might be causing this leak.

Cheers

Was there any pitting on the chrome ball as that could damage the new seal, or any play in the swivel bearings can allow the hub to move very slightly allowing the oil out. If no to both you could refill the swivel with one shot grease and you might get away without stripping the whole assembly down

Anaconda · Dec 30, 2023

Hub seal?
Should be obvious if it's the swivel seal if you look at it from the back.

v8250 · Dec 30, 2023

Anaconda said:
Hub seal?
Should be obvious if it's the swivel seal if you look at it from the back.

This +1. Check swivel area for leaking, if not it's the hub seal + it's 100% worth checking your differential breather/s to make sure they're not blocked. If blocked, over time this will over pressurize the hub seals causing one side to leak.

Some_Genius · Dec 30, 2023

Cheers for the replies. I Will try to check all of the above and report back.

Anaconda · Dec 30, 2023

Don't buy cheap seals as you will be doing it again.
Corteco seals are just fine, buy two incase you balls it up or for when another one leaks.

RustyDefender · Dec 30, 2023

Anaconda said:
Don't buy cheap seals as you will be doing it again.
Corteco seals are just fine, buy two incase you balls it up or for when another one leaks.

tldr. don't buy britpart seals or bearings

Anaconda · Jan 11, 2024

Some_Genius said:
Cheers for the replies. I Will try to check all of the above and report back.

How did you get on?

Some_Genius · Jan 11, 2024

Apologies for the delay, I finally managed to get under it today. There is some corrosion on the swivel ball at the top which I did know about when I'd changed the seal. Long-term plan is to refurbish the hubs and replace these.

The oil level in the swivel that side is still full though as is the axle itself so at a slight loss where the oil might have come from before. I've not driven it since and there doesn't appear to be a constant leak.

I did attempt to check the breathers but didn't have time to get airline kit out to give it a blow through (didn't fancy trying to test it on lung power). What I was slightly surprised about was I had expected there to be some sort of valve inside the bit screwed into the top of the axel.

Are these standard breathers or have they been modified?

Hicap phill · Jan 11, 2024

Yep standard breather. On the other end of the pipe it should arch round, this stops the water going down when wading.

Anaconda · Jan 11, 2024

The axle oil can get into the swivel/bearings.
The hub seal would be leaking on the otherside of the brake backing plate, if fitted. Pop the wheel off and have a better look.
Early breathers had a little valve thingy screwed into the top of the axle and not a extended breather pipe.

Wheel Oil leak

Some_Genius

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Def90man

Percy the Pedant

Anaconda

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v8250

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Some_Genius

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Anaconda

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RustyDefender

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Anaconda

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Some_Genius

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Hicap phill

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Anaconda

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