Hi Guys,
I have replaced my front wheel bearings and hub grease and axle seals a few times with no issues. Recently I went whole hog and replaced the axle seals, wheel bearings and swivel bearings as well. as most would know, replacing the swivel bearings means removing the steering arms from both sides. All this went like clock work - took a bit to break the ball joints so I could remove the arms - but all good (zero freeze works a treat). After pulling it all down I cleaned everything of dirt and muck so they looked like new. I reinstalled everything including putting the shims back in the arms where they came out of (original factory placement). Did a steer pull load test and all good. Put everything back together then went for a drive - all good. Locked the freewheel hubs in and went for another drive around 10k. All good - no leaks. Did a trip out in the bush (In 4WD) got home and the next day I see diff oil dripping from both sides of the steering arm securing bolts. Nothing huge, but enough to drip on the tyre and wet the studs and nuts. Checked for tightness - all good, the studs had not stretched. Decided to replace the axle seals again to be sure. Old seals still had energiser spring in place and no wear or damage to seals - sealing area on both axles is very good - no wear. I'm a Fluid Power engineer and trades fitter so I know what is and isn't any good when it comes to seals). The breather was a bit clogged, so it may have pressurized the housing, Anyway, I replaced the seals and all OK. Yesterday I got home from work and stuck my head under the front to have a quick squizz. Lo and behold - leakage in the same spot. it looks to be coming out between the base of the hub and the steering arm on both sides. I think it maybe just left over weep age - has anyone seen this before.
I have replaced my front wheel bearings and hub grease and axle seals a few times with no issues. Recently I went whole hog and replaced the axle seals, wheel bearings and swivel bearings as well. as most would know, replacing the swivel bearings means removing the steering arms from both sides. All this went like clock work - took a bit to break the ball joints so I could remove the arms - but all good (zero freeze works a treat). After pulling it all down I cleaned everything of dirt and muck so they looked like new. I reinstalled everything including putting the shims back in the arms where they came out of (original factory placement). Did a steer pull load test and all good. Put everything back together then went for a drive - all good. Locked the freewheel hubs in and went for another drive around 10k. All good - no leaks. Did a trip out in the bush (In 4WD) got home and the next day I see diff oil dripping from both sides of the steering arm securing bolts. Nothing huge, but enough to drip on the tyre and wet the studs and nuts. Checked for tightness - all good, the studs had not stretched. Decided to replace the axle seals again to be sure. Old seals still had energiser spring in place and no wear or damage to seals - sealing area on both axles is very good - no wear. I'm a Fluid Power engineer and trades fitter so I know what is and isn't any good when it comes to seals). The breather was a bit clogged, so it may have pressurized the housing, Anyway, I replaced the seals and all OK. Yesterday I got home from work and stuck my head under the front to have a quick squizz. Lo and behold - leakage in the same spot. it looks to be coming out between the base of the hub and the steering arm on both sides. I think it maybe just left over weep age - has anyone seen this before.