Oil in brake drums

[Jelmer]

I've noticed some oil in the brake drums yesterday so I figured the seals must be leaking and maybe the wheel bearings are shot. Where are these seal located? Near the diff of near the wheels?

[Philip]

They are located in the axle hub.

[CumminsPower59]

Wheel bearings can take a lot of abuse, so unless they are trashed, they should be ok. The wheel seals are easily replaced though. When you replace the seal, repack the wheel bearings with grease or prelube them with gear oil. I repack the bearings, but everyone does it their own way

[thrashingcows]

Wheel bearings can take a lot of abuse, so unless they are trashed, they should be ok. The wheel seals are easily replaced though. When you replace the seal, repack the wheel bearings with grease or prelube them with gear oil. I repack the bearings, but everyone does it their own way

I used to repack the bearings with grease, but have since stopped. I had the grease come out and form a bit of a "dam" in the hub and starve a rear bearing of proper lubrication. Now I soak the bearings in a container of gear oil and toss them in just before I install the hub. I also tip the hub backwards slightly and fill the hub with as much oil as possible before I slip it over the spindle. Been great so far!

[BobS]

I used a skim coating of wheel bearing grease when I did mine. No issues in the last 50K miles since they were done.

[cougar]

When you have it off, take a serious close look at the hub. I kept replacing seals on my 91 and never stopped the leak. Turned out the hub was cracked outboard of the sealing surface. Replaced the hub and problem solved.

[BC847]

Be sure to closely inspect all components of the axle vent. Un-plug all that required.

[Douglas]

Be sure to closely inspect all components of the axle vent. Un-plug all that required.

Plugged vent components will allow the axle to pressurize itself and then leaks are guaranteed.
true that!

Inspect the axle journals too; I got a 3.08 Power-Lok rear and the journals were waaay pitted and grooved. Drove on a speedi-sleeve( there are two sizes of journals, measure diameter before ordering ), and have had no issues. IIRC the bolted axle have a different one from the studded ones....is usual that later ones are bolted, and the earlier studded take the 3" speedi sleeve to repair the journal.
cheers,
Douglas