Lagondaforum » Other » Drive train » Rear axle hub seals LG6 (& LG45?)

h14	Aug 25, 2015 10:11 am
Subject: Rear axle hub seals LG6 (& LG45?) Those of you who may be wondering why my posts ceased on the topic of oil for my axle might have guessed other problems have arisen! The axle was rebuilt professionally about 7 years ago (and the rebuilder is now retired). The car hasn't been driven since; but I still hope to drive it to the AGM meeting in October. I had noticed a drip of oil from one of the brake drums, and hoped this was residue from a leak before I had the axle rebuilt. Some hope, there was a run of oil down the outer brake shoe mounting. Part of the problem is that I don't know what type of seal has been fitted (replaced, I hope, by the rebuilder, who obviously knew the hubs leaked). The Club manual states originally a felt seal, now replaceable by a modern (presumably lip) seal. Firstly...I had had the car jacked up under the spring on the other side of the car for a few days...could the reason be as simple as that? How effective should I expect a seal to be in that situation? Secondly...having drained the oil, and been surprised at the quantity, I've measured it. Approximately 6.25 pints; the handbook states 3.5 pints, and I see the club manual states fill to 0.25" below the level orifice. Allowing for leakage at the loose drain plug and the hub seal, it seems likely that the rebuilder may have forgotten he'd filled the axle, and effectively filled it twice! So...could my hub seal leak simply be a result of overfilling, perhaps exacerbated by jacking the other side of the axle up? There is no obvious leakage at the hub on the other side. The oil, at the moment is 140 grade, so you can see why I've temporarily lost interest in installing a thinner oil! Laurence ps My understanding is that this axle is Lagonda's own manufacture, but I have seen reference to it being ENV; if it is, I've yet to find "ENV" cast or stamped on the axle casing. Laurence

h14

Aug 25, 2015 10:11 am

Subject: Rear axle hub seals LG6 (& LG45?)

Those of you who may be wondering why my posts ceased on the topic of oil for my axle might have guessed other problems have arisen!

The axle was rebuilt professionally about 7 years ago (and the rebuilder is now retired). The car hasn't been driven since; but I still hope to drive it to the AGM meeting in October.

I had noticed a drip of oil from one of the brake drums, and hoped this was residue from a leak before I had the axle rebuilt. Some hope, there was a run of oil down the outer brake shoe mounting.

Part of the problem is that I don't know what type of seal has been fitted (replaced, I hope, by the rebuilder, who obviously knew the hubs leaked). The Club manual states originally a felt seal, now replaceable by a modern (presumably lip) seal.

Firstly...I had had the car jacked up under the spring on the other side of the car for a few days...could the reason be as simple as that? How effective should I expect a seal to be in that situation?

Secondly...having drained the oil, and been surprised at the quantity, I've measured it. Approximately 6.25 pints; the handbook states 3.5 pints, and I see the club manual states fill to 0.25" below the level orifice. Allowing for leakage at the loose drain plug and the hub seal, it seems likely that the rebuilder may have forgotten he'd filled the axle, and effectively filled it twice!

So...could my hub seal leak simply be a result of overfilling, perhaps exacerbated by jacking the other side of the axle up? There is no obvious leakage at the hub on the other side. The oil, at the moment is 140 grade, so you can see why I've temporarily lost interest in installing a thinner oil!

Laurence

ps My understanding is that this axle is Lagonda's own manufacture, but I have seen reference to it being ENV; if it is, I've yet to find "ENV" cast or stamped on the axle casing.

Laurence

Julian	Aug 26, 2015 8:14 pm
Subject: Re: Rear axle hub seals LG6 (& LG45?) Hi, Standard oil seal is felt you are absolutely correct. You can easily convert to rubber lip seals, I think the one I use is 3" x 2 1/8" x 0.5" but you will really need to check as there are a few I have seen used by various people doing similar conversions. Generally if a lip seal is fitted it should not leak if oil is full or over full. Good luck, Julian

Julian

Aug 26, 2015 8:14 pm

Subject: Re: Rear axle hub seals LG6 (& LG45?)

Hi,
Standard oil seal is felt you are absolutely correct.
You can easily convert to rubber lip seals,
I think the one I use is 3" x 2 1/8" x 0.5" but you will really need to check as there are a few I have seen used by various people doing similar conversions.
Generally if a lip seal is fitted it should not leak if oil is full or over full.

Good luck,
Julian