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Oil from rear hub

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ncbugeye

ncbugeye

Jedi Warrior
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I was just starting on the process of replacing the 4.22 diff on NCBugeye with the 3.7. I jacked up the left rear, removed the wheel, gave the brake drum a couple of moderate taps with a block of wood (actually a wheel chock made from a 12" length of 4x4), and removed the drum, all very easy.

As soon as I removed the drum, oil started to drip from the hub. However there is no trace of oil in the brake drum, it was completely dry, as are the brake shoes.

Altogether I estimate about 1/2 teaspoonful of oil dripped out, before it stopped of its own accord. I understand from previous discussion that this oil comes from the differential. What confuses me is why it only started after I removed the drum, especially as the car is jacked up, so this end of the axle is slightly raised...

Ideas?
 
Chris, maybe the little screw that retains the axle to the hub was missing? Often is, but if it were, then you likely loosened the the axle a little so oil gets past the o-ring and gasket. Wipe everything off, and "rejuvenate" the gasket and o-ring with a schmear of RTV, if you haven't a new set.

Also, I noticed in your other brake shoe pic that the "acorn" springs are missing. I kind of like having them, though again,many will say aren't necessary and are a pain to install.

Peter
 
Very observant of you on the other spring, it was off when I took the picture. I have always been in two minds as to whether they are necessary as well. I am swapping the 4.22 diff for a 3.7.

The screw is not missing, and it was tight when I removed it, but the dripping started before I removed it. Hmmmm.... I think I see where you are going here. I'll double check when I refit it. The O-ring and bearing were replaced last year, the car probably has less than 500 miles on it since that.
 
Hey Chris,
Maybe the hub lip seal has failed? When you jacked the side of the car up to remove the drum, the escaped oil found the lowest point and dripped out - when it was level it was OK? If you only do a small mileage (500 in a year) then these oil seals can harden and fail.

Whenever I replace halfshafts or diffs, I always assemble the hubs dry onto the halfshafts to make sure they seat snugly and then put on new lip-seals and O rings/paper gaskets - it might seem extravagant, but at only a few quid each, its worth it in the long run.

Good hunting.

Maccers
 
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