Rear Axle Squeak

[sii803]

I've had for a while (1000 odd miles) a squeak from the rear of the car but have struggling to determine where from. I've assumed a wheel bearing or the like as it is tied to road speed. The squeak has become steadily worse and progressed to a tick which has since disappeared.

On inspection I've oil has escaped into one of the drums. I've dismantled the bearing and the seal does not look too bad.

Has anybody had trouble with the spacer runs on the inside of the seal spinning on the axle?

Cheers,
Matt

[smithskids]

I presume you have gently tapped the cone hard up to the wheel bearing before tightening up the axle nut? check the bit the seal runs on is not damaged and is it axle oil or brake fluid in the drum.

[sii803]

Cheers, I'm sure it is oil. The cone/sleeve that fits over the axle that the seal runs on could be turned by hand before it was dismantled. I am wonderining if the seal was working but oil wasl getting underneath the sleeve? Also i thought a spinning sleeve would have made the squeak I could hear.

[smithskids]

When you put the brake drum on and tighten the axle nut up it will lock the cone on to the axle shaft or it should do Then the seal will do its job and shouldn't let any oil past it in to the brake drum unless the surface that the seal runs on is damaged.