RIP
Kairo
- Messages
- 3,030
- Location
- Netherlands
Hi everyone,
It seems like I'm always getting weird, unexplained problems on my projects that don't seem to have a cause :/
This time, I have a slow leak on the rear axle of my 1989 Suzuki Jeep, with diff oil leaking into the brake drum.
The background: some years ago the axle was rebuilt with all new bearings, seals, and a new coat of paint. A year later, I noticed diff oil leaking into the drum and onto the brake shoes. I replaced the seal again. This time, I also ran a bead of silicone where the seal meets the axle housing in case oil was seeping over the outside of the seal. That was a year ago.
The car is used very little, couple of hundred miles a year.
But now, I've noticed the leak is still there, very slow, about 1ml of oil leaked out over a year, and only on one side of the axle.
I checked the shaft where the seal contacts, and it looks good with perfect witness marks. The seal runs on the bearing retainer, which had been replaced and is in good shape. I also measured the retainer for roundness. It's 0.03mm out-of-round, roughly the same as the non leaking side. The bearing is secure and doesn’t allow any axial movement of the shaft.
The only other thing I can think of is that oil might be sneaking under the bearing retainer. It was a tight press fit, so I don't think it's likely, but I’m running out of ideas here. I’m considering sealing the retainer with silicone to see if that helps.
Anyone have any other ideas?
Thank you.
It seems like I'm always getting weird, unexplained problems on my projects that don't seem to have a cause :/
This time, I have a slow leak on the rear axle of my 1989 Suzuki Jeep, with diff oil leaking into the brake drum.
The background: some years ago the axle was rebuilt with all new bearings, seals, and a new coat of paint. A year later, I noticed diff oil leaking into the drum and onto the brake shoes. I replaced the seal again. This time, I also ran a bead of silicone where the seal meets the axle housing in case oil was seeping over the outside of the seal. That was a year ago.
The car is used very little, couple of hundred miles a year.
But now, I've noticed the leak is still there, very slow, about 1ml of oil leaked out over a year, and only on one side of the axle.
I checked the shaft where the seal contacts, and it looks good with perfect witness marks. The seal runs on the bearing retainer, which had been replaced and is in good shape. I also measured the retainer for roundness. It's 0.03mm out-of-round, roughly the same as the non leaking side. The bearing is secure and doesn’t allow any axial movement of the shaft.
The only other thing I can think of is that oil might be sneaking under the bearing retainer. It was a tight press fit, so I don't think it's likely, but I’m running out of ideas here. I’m considering sealing the retainer with silicone to see if that helps.
Anyone have any other ideas?
Thank you.
