Stub Axle Flange Leaks

[SSSammy]

I need a little advice from a Jag expert on what to do to this stub axle to stop oil from seeping from the bottom of the flange.

History: about 18 months ago, I changed out the center brake style rear end for the much superior ERA outboard brake design. At that time I replaced the axle seals, as they had been fried by brake heat from the inboard brake rotors ... heavy track use

Now it has started seeping, but not from the axle seal (thank goodness), but from the seam between the axle flange and the diff housing. There is an o-ring there that I suspected. You can see it in the pic below.

But the o-ring looks fine. Then I noticed this hole about .125" dia that is more than an inch deep and seems to go into the outer bearing housing. Apparently, this hole is blocked off when the flange is bolted up. What the heck is it for? Assembly lube when the bearing is replaced?

The mating surface on the housing (see other pic) seems to have had some sealant on it once before. Am I supposed to plug the little hole with sealant? I can't find a reference to this in my Jag literature.

I am inclined to seal it up and re-assemble. But I thought I would give you guys a chance to vote

Thanks loads!
Sam

[Grubby]

There is a seal and O-ring on each side. They both need replaced. Either can cause a leak. you will have to dissassemble the stub axle assembly to replace the seal. Not a big deal.

Pull up the ERA owners only Jag Rear Suspension Service. Item #34 on the parts exploded view is the seal the can't be seen in your photo.

Be certain you have the correct vintage seal. A later seal in the earlier differential will leak. Ask me how I know.

No need for sealant on the surfaces you show. The hole shown will not drip oil if your seals are good.

John

[SSSammy]

Originally Posted by Grubby

There is a seal and O-ring on each side. They both need replaced. Either can cause a leak. you will have to dissassemble the stub axle assembly to replace the seal. Not a big deal.

Pull up the ERA owners only Jag Rear Suspension Service. Item #34 on the parts exploded view is the seal the can't be seen in your photo.

Be certain you have the correct vintage seal. A later seal in the earlier differential will leak. Ask me how I know.

No need for sealant on the surfaces you show. The hole shown will not drip oil if your seals are good.

John

John thanks for responding. Yes, I went down that road 18 months ago and I am aware of the two different seals. But the leak is not coming from the axle shaft. So are you saying that this hole might leak oil if the axle seal is bad?

Sam

[strictlypersonl]

According to Doug, Jaguar calls that hole an "oil canal". It's supposed to channel any oil that leaks past the seal away from the (inboard) rotors to the bottom of the differential case. I guess that they expect the seal to leak.

[SSSammy]

Originally Posted by strictlypersonl

According to Doug, Jaguar calls that hole an "oil canal". It's supposed to channel any oil that leaks past the seal away from the (inboard) rotors to the bottom of the differential case. I guess that they expect the seal to leak.

I knew it! English engineering rationale. If it leaks, you know it contains oil. If it stops, add oil

Fortunately, I have some of the correct axle seals and an enormous wrench that looks like it belongs in the maintenance barn at a strip mine ...

Thanks for tracking this down, Bob! Tell Doug I said "hey."

Sam

[Grubby]

Sam,

I completely agree with Bob. Mine was leaking out of the hole you show. A new seal fixed.

John

[SSSammy]

Thanks, John! I always can depend on you guys here! I dropped the stub axle assembly and a seal off with my mechanic this afternoon. It was easy

Sam

[RICK LAKE]

SSSammy Sam on picture #2 is that metal flakes and rtv?? The other question is how hard would it be to add a hole in the housing to drain the oil back? I know my r/s seal has been seeping for 15 years. I figure that 90% of tracking has been from left turns causing this.
I hope that is not metal flakes in that picture, you might be chewwing up something in there. Rick

[SSSammy]

It's burned RTV, Rick. Recall that the heat from the center mounted rotors fried the seals back in 2011. I didn't RTV that area when I replaced the seals, so it must have come from Mike Bontoft - CWI, who built the diffy. Curious why he would seal it up if it is supposed to be open. No flakes.

If I understand Doug correctly, the hole drains the outside rim of the axle seal. It has two purposes, one is to keep oil off of the brake rotor when the seal leaks, and the second is to act as a telltale that you have a bad seal. No brake rotor there anymore, so this is really just a good housekeeping exercise. I hate drips Yeah, it's always the right side seal that goes, never the left. We need to run more races clockwise ...

Sam