Woldsguy

Woldsguy

Active Member
Ok, bit of a newbie here. So apologies for a basic question.

My 90 has been leaking oil, I'm guessing from the hub, as it is leaking over the outside of the rear off-side wheel.

When it went in for its check-over after I bought it, the mechanic replaced the seal, but it didn't stop the leak. He re-checked it afterwards, and seal was fine.

After reading some really helpful posts here, I picked up on the fact it might be due to blocked axle breather, so I removed the breather, and it was completely clogged. So I cleaned it, checked it by blowing down it and replaced it. The leak is still there. It's not as bad as it was, but still leaking.

My question is; Could running the new seal with the breather still blocked cause the seal to fail permanently? I.e. Do I need to replace the seal again now the breather is clear, or can I take it that the problem is bigger? What's next for me?

Also, I'm guessing the previous owner knew it had a problem, as the diff oil is over-full - I don't know how this is possible, but when I unscrew the fill plug (no, not the drain plug) oil pours out from all round the plug, the level is obviously over the fill plug. Is this ok? Or can you overfill the diff?

Thanks in advance.
 
Woldsguy said:
Ok, bit of a newbie here. So apologies for a basic question.

My 90 has been leaking oil, I'm guessing from the hub, as it is leaking over the outside of the rear off-side wheel.

When it went in for its check-over after I bought it, the mechanic replaced the seal, but it didn't stop the leak. He re-checked it afterwards, and seal was fine.

After reading some really helpful posts here, I picked up on the fact it might be due to blocked axle breather, so I removed the breather, and it was completely clogged. So I cleaned it, checked it by blowing down it and replaced it. The leak is still there. It's not as bad as it was, but still leaking.

My question is; Could running the new seal with the breather still blocked cause the seal to fail permanently? I.e. Do I need to replace the seal again now the breather is clear, or can I take it that the problem is bigger? What's next for me?

Also, I'm guessing the previous owner knew it had a problem, as the diff oil is over-full - I don't know how this is possible, but when I unscrew the fill plug (no, not the drain plug) oil pours out from all round the plug, the level is obviously over the fill plug. Is this ok? Or can you overfill the diff?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Probably need to take it apart and have a look at the seal, and the metal where the lip seals.
You can overfill diff if the vehicle isn't level when you fill. If you have just pulled up there will be a lot of air beaten up in the oil, let it settle first.
You might find the leak dries up when you have the right level of oil in the axle.
 
Turboman said:
Probably need to take it apart and have a look at the seal, and the metal where the lip seals.
You can overfill diff if the vehicle isn't level when you fill. If you have just pulled up there will be a lot of air beaten up in the oil, let it settle first.
You might find the leak dries up when you have the right level of oil in the axle.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I checked the oil this morning before it had turned a wheel, so it should have settled. I guess next stage is to take it apart and have a good look.

Is it worth opening the fill plug and just letting it drain out till its level?
 
Woldsguy said:
Thanks. I checked the oil this morning before it had turned a wheel, so it should have settled. I guess next stage is to take it apart and have a good look.

Is it worth opening the fill plug and just letting it drain out till its level?
Click to expand...
Park it dead level, tray under, level plug out til level is right. Drive it and see what happens! :)
 
Are you have the same problem as mine then as that is a 1988 one aswell, mine is fitted with a 300tdi disco rear axle ( discs ) and when i re-furbed the axle the wheel bearing was covered in gear oil and is suppose to be grease so i replaced the hub seals and bearings with BP seals, after about 3-6 months one of the rear hub seals started to leak oil all over the rear brake disc so i replaced the seals with genuine ones and have never leaked since but i have had the half shafts out to check and re- grease and they was still covered in oil but not leaking so i came to the conclusion that my half shaft seals are leaking oil from the diff into the hubs and as they are not leaking i have left them as is as i like the idea of the bearings running on oil rather than grease.

i haven't checked but i have herd that you can remove the half shaft seals to allow the bearings to run on oil but you will need hub oil seals rather than hub grease seals, mine is fitted with grease hub seals and doesn't leak which i don't get and i check them on a weekly bases just in case :confused:
 
cornish rattler said:
Are you have the same problem as mine then as that is a 1988 one aswell, mine is fitted with a 300tdi disco rear axle ( discs ) and when i re-furbed the axle the wheel bearing was covered in gear oil and is suppose to be grease so i replaced the hub seals and bearings with BP seals, after about 3-6 months one of the rear hub seals started to leak oil all over the rear brake disc so i replaced the seals with genuine ones and have never leaked since but i have had the half shafts out to check and re- grease and they was still covered in oil but not leaking so i came to the conclusion that my half shaft seals are leaking oil from the diff into the hubs and as they are not leaking i have left them as is as i like the idea of the bearings running on oil rather than grease.

i haven't checked but i have herd that you can remove the half shaft seals to allow the bearings to run on oil but you will need hub oil seals rather than hub grease seals, mine is fitted with grease hub seals and doesn't leak which i don't get and i check them on a weekly bases just in case :confused:
Click to expand...


Thanks for this. Looks like I'm going to drain oil down to fill level, and if that doesn't work, I guess I'm taking it all to bits and seeing what's what.

BTW. Another novice question, but how can I tell what rear axle I have got fitted? Whether it's an original or been replaced by, say, a Disco axle like yours?
 
cornish rattler said:
Are you have the same problem as mine then as that is a 1988 one aswell, mine is fitted with a 300tdi disco rear axle ( discs ) and when i re-furbed the axle the wheel bearing was covered in gear oil and is suppose to be grease so i replaced the hub seals and bearings with BP seals, after about 3-6 months one of the rear hub seals started to leak oil all over the rear brake disc so i replaced the seals with genuine ones and have never leaked since but i have had the half shafts out to check and re- grease and they was still covered in oil but not leaking so i came to the conclusion that my half shaft seals are leaking oil from the diff into the hubs and as they are not leaking i have left them as is as i like the idea of the bearings running on oil rather than grease.

i haven't checked but i have herd that you can remove the half shaft seals to allow the bearings to run on oil but you will need hub oil seals rather than hub grease seals, mine is fitted with grease hub seals and doesn't leak which i don't get and i check them on a weekly bases just in case :confused:
Click to expand...
that is true with a 300tdi axle earlier allowed oil to reach drive member(oil lubricates the splines) or with others the hub seal ie brgs run in oil, your lucky if hub grease seal is holding the oil
 
jamesmartin said:
that is true with a 300tdi axle earlier allowed oil to reach drive member(oil lubricates the splines) or with others the hub seal ie brgs run in oil, your lucky if hub grease seal is holding the oil
Click to expand...
Yeah i think i asked the question on here and think you gave me the p/n of the ( oil seal ) i needed but everyone i contacted about them didn't know what i was talking about and steered me to buying the grease ones so i bought them and up to now haven't leaked :)
 
cornish rattler said:
Yeah i think i asked the question on here and think you gave me the p/n of the ( oil seal ) i needed but everyone i contacted about them didn't know what i was talking about and steered me to buying the grease ones so i bought them and up to now haven't leaked :)
Click to expand...
the main difference is lack of a garter spring on 300 tdi seal , i wouldnt expect a parts person to know the difference now , still its working for you which is all that matters
 
Woldsguy said:
Ok, bit of a newbie here. So apologies for a basic question.

My 90 has been leaking oil, I'm guessing from the hub, as it is leaking over the outside of the rear off-side wheel.

When it went in for its check-over after I bought it, the mechanic replaced the seal, but it didn't stop the leak. He re-checked it afterwards, and seal was fine.

After reading some really helpful posts here, I picked up on the fact it might be due to blocked axle breather, so I removed the breather, and it was completely clogged. So I cleaned it, checked it by blowing down it and replaced it. The leak is still there. It's not as bad as it was, but still leaking.

My question is; Could running the new seal with the breather still blocked cause the seal to fail permanently? I.e. Do I need to replace the seal again now the breather is clear, or can I take it that the problem is bigger? What's next for me?

Also, I'm guessing the previous owner knew it had a problem, as the diff oil is over-full - I don't know how this is possible, but when I unscrew the fill plug (no, not the drain plug) oil pours out from all round the plug, the level is obviously over the fill plug. Is this ok? Or can you overfill the diff?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
If you've got original axles then you need to replace the rubber hub cap, this should sort the leak out. Get a genuine one for the extra couple of quid.
 
bluedog333 said:
If you've got original axles then you need to replace the rubber hub cap, this should sort the leak out. Get a genuine one for the extra couple of quid.
Click to expand...
Thanks. That sounds like something that is within my (limited) capabilities. As I understand it, the old ones can be cut / ripped off, then the new one warmed up and pushed on.
 
Woldsguy said:
Thanks. That sounds like something that is within my (limited) capabilities. As I understand it, the old ones can be cut / ripped off, then the new one warmed up and pushed on.
Click to expand...
The old ones should pull off quite easily. I put a thin smear of silicone (RTV gasket type) on the inside of the new ones to help hold them in place. Placing them in hot water beforehand gets them nice and supple.
 
I've tried all the rubber hub caps I know are available and the only ones to buy are the genuine part. The others just split and they haven't even been out on the road yet.
 
Thanks all. Sounds like I'm going to be having another bit of learning on the job. Just need a break in the weather to do it now.

Back to how do I identify what type of axle I've got. Does it matter? Or are the hub caps universal?
 
When you looked at the high diff oil level was the oil nice and clean or grey / milky? If it is grey / milky then you may have water in the diff (which will raise the level as oil floats on water), in that case drain the diff completely and refill with fresh oil.
 
Kwakerman said:
When you looked at the high diff oil level was the oil nice and clean or grey / milky? If it is grey / milky then you may have water in the diff (which will raise the level as oil floats on water), in that case drain the diff completely and refill with fresh oil.
Click to expand...
Not sure I'd rate it as "clean" but no, I don't think it had water in. It was dark, not milky.
 
Woldsguy said:
Thanks all. Sounds like I'm going to be having another bit of learning on the job. Just need a break in the weather to do it now.

Back to how do I identify what type of axle I've got. Does it matter? Or are the hub caps universal?
Click to expand...
What brakes do you have on the rear? Discs or drum? There are two types of rubber hub cap, they do differ slightly, need to find out what axles you have first.
 
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