Oil Leak at on Rear Brake Hub

[TONUP]

Yesterday I took the T2 for its first MOT under my ownership, and luckily it passed, however the tester did give me an advisory on some oil that could be seen to be leaking from the rear drivers side hub. The tester seemed to think that it was something to do with the ABS sensor, but I would be grateful if somebody could help.

The oil is not coming from within the hub, but it seems to be from a connection in the middle, but before attempting a repair I thought I would attach a photo, for some advice on identifying the various pipes and cables going into the back of the drum.

In the image below please could someone help me verify what (A) is... I think its the hydraulic brake line, what (B) is... this is where the oils appears to be coming from and finally what (C) is... I think it may be the handbrake cable.

Finally any advice on stopping the leaking oil would be really helpful.

Thanks

Alan

 

[Deleted Member S]

It looks to me that your 1/2 oil seal has given up but i'm not a 100% sure:augie

 

[Terranosaurus]

A and C you're correct on not sure on B - but then mine doesn't have ABS anyway.

Theres only 2 things it could be brake fluid leaking and that looks dry or as Sweety suggests its the 1/2 shaft oil seal which is most likely anyway.

You'll need to pop the wheel and drum off (use 2 M8 bolts in the holes to push the drum off) and have a proper look - if the oil starts getting on your shoes you'll loose breaking effort. Might already be happening as the LSD in these trucks can help mask side to sid braking varience at the rear.

 

[coachmanking]

I had this very problem a couple of years ago and it was the oil seal on the 1/2 shaft. If one side is leaking you will probably find that the other side is beginning to do the same as when i checked the other side it was showing signs of beginning to leak. Worth checking to save contaminating the shoes!
Cost me about £250 to have it done in the garage.

 

[ronypony]

Its almost certainly the half shaft oil seal....you could pay some garage a lot of spondoolicks to do it for you or have a go at changing the seal yourself...its not a particularly hard job to do...you do need to strip down the brake components before pulling out the shaft...I made a simple puller like this....but a bit of strong rope and a sledge hammer would serve the same purpose.

 

[terranokid]

The abs sensor goes into the halfshaft tube, if you remove it there is an o ring behind it that seals it. Before you remove the sensor you need to jack the car up on that side to stop the diff oil running out.

It could be the halfshaft seal but they tend to leak into the rear brakes and your car wouldnt have passed the mot

 

[ronypony]

Looking at the photo again the freshest leaking oil does seem to be under the abs sensor...I was wondering how it passed an m.o.t . Cleaning up all the gunge on the back of the drum and around the sensor might shed more light on the source of the leak.

 

[TONUP]

Guys,

Thanks for your help and advice... this really is a top website/club!!

This weekend I'll get the Gunk and jet washer out and give it all a good blast. I think that I will start with the ABS sensor and put another seal in then move on to the half shaft afterwards if no improvement, which as a project doesn't inspire me, but I'll give a go anyway (i like the puller RonyPony and will make one myseflf if required).

This might also be a good time to check the LSD oil as well.

As my old Dad alway said "you'll never have any money if you own a car"

Regards

Alan