Leaky rear

[LCR225]

Noticed this today on the off side rear wheel:




So stuck my head under the back and noticed this:



I need to purchase a new trolly jack (my current one struggled to hold something less then half the weigh of the truck) to whip the wheel off and take a look. The N/S is also showing signs but not as bad. Checked brake fluid incase it was that and thats still on the MAX line where it's always been. Any ideas/pointers for me?

[si tate]

Rear diff seal by the look of it, fairly common on 3rd gens & not that expensive to fix.
Bought mine from roughtrax but got the garage to fit them.

http://www.roughtrax4x4.com/?doc=11&cid=177

[LCR225]

DOH. Just put new oil in there not so long ago! arse. Is it a job that can be done yourself? Or is it easier for a garage to do it? I guess it's best if I don't drive the car then if it's empting its diff contents slowly onto the road.

[BUSHWHACKER]

Yup, the axle seal is fubarred.
Replaced both sides on mine this morning, it's the inner seal you need...
http://www.roughtrax4x4.com/?doc=16&cid=177&vid=232

You'll need a set of brake shoes as well as they'll be soaked with oil by now.

[LCR225]

Yup, the axle seal is fubarred.
Replaced both sides on mine this morning, it's the inner seal you need...
http://www.roughtrax4x4.com/?doc=16&cid=177&vid=232

You'll need a set of brake shoes as well as they'll be soaked with oil by now.

Thanks for the linky. I'll get some ordered!

[LCR225]

me again... Is it a big task to do? How long would it take approx to do both ends?

[si tate]

me again... Is it a big task to do? How long would it take approx to do both ends?

I was going to do mine but thought better of it.
It looked a bit too technical for me, but I'm no mechanic.
The garage only charged me £40 to fit the pair so I let them do it.

[BUSHWHACKER]

me again... Is it a big task to do? How long would it take approx to do both ends?

About 45 mins each side if you haven't done it before.

Park on level ground, chock behind and in front of the front wheels.

Loosen wheel nuts, jack up one side, place axle stand under the axle just behind the shock absorber mount.

Transmission in neutral and handrake released.

Remove wheel and brake drum.

Remove brake shoes and mechanism as you'll need to replace them and clean the oil off the parts anyway.

Disconnect the handbrake cable from the backplate.

Disconnect the brake fluid pipe and place a small plastic bag over the end and zip tie it tightly.

Undo the four nuts (14mm spanner/socket) from the backplate.

Withdraw axle shaft slowly and carefully out of the axle tube. Place bucket or similar under the end of the axle to catch any diff oil that might dribble out. (It won't be much.)

Look inside the axle tube and you'll see the seal, it'll have a metal face to it and rubber lip behind.
You'll need something to hook out the seal now, as it's a tight fit.
I used an old flat head screwdriver, bent the tip over, and used a ring spanner on the shaft against the handle and knocked the ring spanner with a hammer so it was like using a slide hammer and the seal came out no problem.

Lube up the new seal and insert it into position and knock it in.
Make sure it goes in square, I used a short piece of tube that was the same size as the seal to do this.

Once it's fully inserted, re-insert the axle shaft carefully so as not to drag on the new seal.

From now on it's just reverse of everything above.

You'll need to top up, bleed the brake fluid and adjust the brake shoes on that wheel before doing the other side.

Hope that helps.

The hardest part of the whole job is getting the old seal out.

[TonyN]

Be aware its often the rear wheel bearing that is worn making the seal leak as the shaft moves around to much, worth checking while its apart or it'll do it again in a short time.

It can also be (but not often on Surfs) the rear wheel brake cylinder leaking.

[Apache]

<shudder>

Last time I saw that I was on a camp site in Northern Central Spain half way along the Pyrenees... it was the wheel bearing.

[si tate]

<shudder>

Last time I saw that I was on a camp site in Northern Central Spain half way along the Pyrenees... it was the wheel bearing.

I be that made your day.

[TonyN]

He had a couple of days off safari just drinking and bbq'ing till I got a new set posted out.

Not so bad...

[BUSHWHACKER]

Be aware its often the rear wheel bearing that is worn making the seal leak as the shaft moves around to much, worth checking while its apart or it'll do it again in a short time.

It can also be (but not often on Surfs) the rear wheel brake cylinder leaking.

What do you do about the ABS ring, cut it off and replace with new?

[LCR225]

<shudder>

Last time I saw that I was on a camp site in Northern Central Spain half way along the Pyrenees... it was the wheel bearing.

I guess if it was that I would notice some play if I grabbed the wheel and rocked it... Or would I? I have tried that and its solid... So I hope it's not that.

I plan to get working on this tonight... So time will tell!

[Albannach]

I guess if it was that I would notice some play if I grabbed the wheel and rocked it... Or would I? I have tried that and its solid... So I hope it's not that.

Not necessarily on a rear bearing, and certainly not if it's only the bearing's seals that have gone.