Page 1 of 1

oil leak in 4wd

Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 1:35 pm
by mike52
Having used my sj413 for the first time in 4wd with locked free wheeling hubs, i have developed an oil leak on passenger side. I have added a picture of the area leaking showing a gasket damaged and also one of the free wheeling hub. The leaked stopped after going back to 2wd and unlocking the hubs.
This happened on one of my trips up the mountain in Bulgaria. The sj has been standing around for a few years over here before being shipped out and used for what it was built for.
Iam guessing that the gasket has hardened or when i got it wrong and put the sj up a bank it may have put extra load on it.
I will not be able to do anything to it until next year, but would appreciate some guidance as to how to cure the leak.

Re: oil leak in 4wd

Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 7:01 pm
by dan_2k_uk
Its hard to see how much has come out at that angle other that what is smeared on the swivel.

If its just the orange smear you are worried about you just need to replace the felt (easy job)

It looks like there is a little oil creeping out of the bottom. If thats the case you need to pull the whole lot off and replace the seal in the axle.

Re: oil leak in 4wd

Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 7:39 pm
by Christoff
That's nothing really to worry about in my opinion.

Re: oil leak in 4wd

Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 9:19 pm
by turbo-tom
personal choice really mine has started to leak on the passenger side now. but its not leaking enough to bother with it.

Re: oil leak in 4wd

Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 10:36 pm
by mike52
it was leaving a small pool of oil after parking it up in the garage, but when using it the next day in 2wd it was fine.

Re: oil leak in 4wd

Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 10:56 pm
by Christoff
My old one always seeped a bit but I cleaned it off. I saw the oil as a way of preserving the condition of the swivel and housing :)

Re: oil leak in 4wd

Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 11:13 pm
by dan_2k_uk
Only problem with that is if stuff can get out then stuff can get in. Dont want the CV's, hub and axle getting full of muddy water.