Rear axle oil on brakes

[markymark]

Hi All,
I have been preparing my rover for the summer season and have found axle oil leakage on the rear brake shoes. Not good! I checked the breather and it was blocked, so I cleared the blockage and cleaned the rear hubs out and crossed fingers. A few miles later I have oil on the brakes again...
On search I can find some discussion about whether you can just change the seals (no press or special tools required) or change the bearings etc for a complete job. It’s not conclusive so wondered what the forum thinks today?
My opinion is that the leaking seal is likely caused by the early stages of bearing failure, but this is an old car and rubber components will fail through age. Not sure what to do. The implication for me is that I feel comfortable to tackle the seal myself but less comfortable tackling the bearings.
Any thoughts much appreciated....

Thanks,
Mark

[lagain]

If it is possible to just change the seals I would do that.

I think that I am correct in saying that the bearings are quite difficult to replace and that a special tool is needed, which I think that the club has.
If the wheel turns smoothly and without noise the bearings are probably OK.

[djm16]

The rear wheel bearings are held onto the half shafts with a very tight fitting sleeve. This can be pressed off with 20T or so, or slit with an angle grinder and then split off with a chisel. New sleeves can be drifted into place with heat + a length of steel pipe.

I would replace just the seal in the first instance as that only takes about an hour.

If it leaks again, then yes go for a bearing replacement.

[markymark]

Thanks all.
I have ordered the seals, felt washers and o rings from jrw and will hopefully try replacing them this weekend.
Thank you for your inputs. Fingers crossed that it works!
Cheers....

[djm16]

I should have added that the oil seal may well have worn a groove on the collar that holds the bearing in place. The fix is a choice of replace the collar (see prev post) or use a shaft sleeve (brand name Speedi-Sleeve) to restore the affected area. Any half-way decent bearing store should keep these in stock.

I would BTW only buy bearings and seals from a trade-counter bearing stockist.

[enigmas]

Before you attempt to remove the bearing collar (as the bearing is probably fine (plenty of lubrication available) inquire at your Bearing Factor/Supplier about 'speedi sleeves' (Thin stainless steel sleeves that are a tight fit over grooved journals and the like that run an oil sleeve. These are available in a myriad of sizes and are a permanent repair)

Seal Solutions Australia (They are also available in the UK)
www.sealsolutionsaustralia.com.au/product/speedi-sleeve/



Speedi Sleeve PDF
www.google.com/url?q=http://www.industrialbearings.com.au/uploads/catalogs/skfspeedisleeve_1338271826.pdf&sa=U&ved=0ahUKEwissIKpgq7iAhUM8HMBHeAbBN0QFggNMAE&usg=AOvVaw0ZCTzhVSGCH7c7mpAxKwji

[markymark]

Hi All,
I’ve replaced seal, felt and o-ring on the side with the leak. Biggest challenges were getting the clevis pin out that secures the handbrake rod and the drifting in of the replacement seal into the collar. V tight. I borrowed a large socket from a local mechanic and got it in.
The clevis pin on the other side is rusted solid so I am soaking in plus gas overnight. Not confident that it will come out without heat and I don’t have any oxy. Hey ho!
Cheers,
Mark