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Half Shaft Oil leak
Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2016 2:28 pm
by vee12jag
Hi guys,
I have a late (56) series 2 which has been completely rebuilt.
I noticed this spring that I had an oil leak from the nearside rear halfshaft.
I removed the half shaft, cleaned each part and the paper gasket (which was new) and applied a smear of gasket cement to either side of the gasket to help make a seal.
This weekend, i had the drums off and notice it is still leaking a little. I've ordered a new gasket.
Can anyone please suggest how I can eliminate this leak? It has been suggested that I make my own gasket out of a thicker material.
Thanks
Mark
Re: Half Shaft Oil leak
Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2016 2:55 pm
by philthehill
A worn wheel bearing can cause the oil seal to weep so check the condition of the wheel bearing.
Check that the drain hole is clear and which is to the rear of the brake back plate and under the axle.
Later hubs had a 'O' ring incorporated into the hub so as to improve the seal between hub and axle shaft so it may be an idea to source and fit a pair of those.
Increasing the thickness of the gasket will not cure the basic problem. The original thickness gasket is perfectly adequate and does not need any gasket cement. A smear of general purpose grease on the gasket (both sides) does help bed the gasket.
If you increase the thickness of the gasket you will be reducing the nip on the rear wheel bearing (the rear wheel bearing is held tightly between the hub and the half shaft) which may ultimately allow the wheel bearing to move sideways in the hub.[frame]
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Re: Half Shaft Oil leak
Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2016 5:45 pm
by amgrave
I think you are assuming the oil can only leak from the paper gasket failing but there is an oil seal behind the bearings as in Phil's drawing above. It will be surely leaking from there. As Phil mentioned use a large o-ring to aid a seal but only if you have a hub with the groove machined in it which I think was only fitted to later cars but I might be wrong on that. My car has the grooves and it's a 1963.
Re: Half Shaft Oil leak
Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2016 5:57 pm
by vee12jag
Thanks for the replies. The axle has been rebuilt and all new bearings and seals have been fitted.
I will inspect further and let you know.
I don't think the later oil seal ring will fit my axle. I think that was only on later cars.
It does seem strange that a paper gasket is all that was used and a single screw to hold the half shaft in place!
Cheers
Re: Half Shaft Oil leak
Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2016 6:01 pm
by amgrave
The single screw is only to hold it in place while the wheel is off, once the wheel is refitted all four studs hold the lot together
Re: Half Shaft Oil leak
Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2016 6:19 pm
by IslipMinor
Our late 1958 car has the 'O' ring groove in the original rear hubs.
Re: Half Shaft Oil leak
Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2016 6:36 pm
by Declan_Burns