safari lwb axle seals

ScottishLuke · Post by **ScottishLuke** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:29 pm

Hi there, I've just bought a lwb base safari and when I bought it there was a bit of gear oil leaking from the drivers side ball joint on the front. By ball joint I mean, the oil seal that on the end of the axle to the hub. Of course now the leak has become a steady drip and I'm wondering how big a job it is to change the seal and will I have to rob a bank to pay for it?? Any advice would be gladly appreciated cheers

doddzee · Post by **doddzee** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:41 pm

The seal you can see is a dust seal, if its dripping then you axle seal will be stuffed its located just on the spring side of the ball joint. You need to remove the hub assembly / cv / axle and replace it.

Not a mojor job if you are handy with a spanner, take off the brake caliper, remove auto or freewheeling hub and remove the circlip on the end of the axle, remove all the bolts holding the dust seal, then remove the top and bottom bearing (4 bolts on top/bottom of ball joint) once all thats removed the hub should practally come off in one peice. Just make sure it all goes back together the way you pulled it off and you have pleanty of rags as its a messy job.

ScottishLuke · Post by **ScottishLuke** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:32 pm

Thanks, I thought that was the case. I've seen something similar on old land rovers at home but wasn't sure if the nissan was the same. Would I be better buying the genuine nissan part or can you use cheaper aftermarket ones? Whats the name of the seal kit you would ask for, a hub kit or an inner hub kit or what? Sorry bout the million questions!!

doddzee · Post by **doddzee** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:39 pm

Id just call it an axle seal, I replaced mine with aftermarket ones from a seal shop but unless you already have it out it will be hard to match. Id imagine nissan would have them in stock. You should only need to replace the one seal, you can replace the dust seals etc if you want but they are not cheap and the only reson its will be leaking is because your diff oil is mixing with your CV Grease. Give them a good clean and they should be ok.

When i did mine i stripped the hub down, cleaned and regreased everything, replaced that one seal and there is no sign of oil or grease leaking from the ball joint now.

ScottishLuke · Post by **ScottishLuke** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 5:14 pm

sweet as, I appreciate that. It'll be a nice job for the weekend I'm sure!!