FridgeFreezer Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 Just back from a little* jaunt around Europe in the ambulance and having (I thought) sorted the problem before leaving, it happened again on the trip and we ended up losing the rubber end cap on the front axle somewhere up an Alp The symptom is pretty much as described here: But; End-cap was a new genuine rubber item, supposedly the most immune to falling off Hub flange seal is OK Rear hub seal is OK Axle breather is NOT blocked (I can blow down it no probs) Problem seemed only to happen after "serious" driving - snaking up & down alpine passes in the sunshine with very hot brakes (hence heat into hub) It's only this hub, the opposite one is fine and has been doing the same amount of work Now, it's possible there's a little play or wear in the wheel bearing, I haven't had time to jack it up & investigate but I gave it a cursory wobble and it's not hanging off. My current plan is to do the wheel bearings & seals as a precaution and see what happens, unless someone has a better idea? *= 2200 miles ish, as you do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 The breather hose might be clear but are the holes in the banjo & bolt clear, got to be worth a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MR-HIPPO Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 May well be talking out of my arse here but: Stub axle oil seal fitted back to front? Perhaps this would allow lubricant to escape from the swivel housing into the hub, but not return, thus creating excess pressure in the hub when things heat up? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb78 Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 I seem to remember mmgemini reporting this and linking it to movement of the half shaft in and out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dailysleaze Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 Excessive CV joint end float? Should be shimmed up behind the circlip to give 0.08 to 0.25mm IIRC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmgemini Posted July 22, 2019 Share Posted July 22, 2019 13 hours ago, reb78 said: I seem to remember mmgemini reporting this and linking it to movement of the half shaft in and out? Yes I did many moons ago. I cured mine by fitting https://www.island-4x4.co.uk/drive-flange-heavy-duty-8393-terrafirma-frc5806a-tf5806-p-5720.html.You'll need to check you order the correct ones tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8 Freak Posted July 22, 2019 Share Posted July 22, 2019 @FridgeFreezer, Do you have a small action camera you can mount from the wing and then go for a slow drive with lots of turns involved? Would hopefully then see if the end of the CV is moving out on that side.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted July 22, 2019 Author Share Posted July 22, 2019 42 minutes ago, V8 Freak said: @FridgeFreezer, Do you have a small action camera you can mount from the wing and then go for a slow drive with lots of turns involved? Would hopefully then see if the end of the CV is moving out on that side.... 13 hours ago, dailysleaze said: Excessive CV joint end float? Should be shimmed up behind the circlip to give 0.08 to 0.25mm IIRC I'm pretty sure the CV can't move as the correct shim is behind the end circlip and it's as tight as I could make it and still get the clip on. It was previously missing the shim, so I wonder if the damage has been done to the internal seal(s) by it moving, and as the inner half-shaft moves in & out on cornering it's now managing to pump oil past the seal. For £15 a hub I might put those fancy flanges on for the time being and see how it goes, although longer term I think the whole front end is due a good coat of looking at - bushes, bearings, seals, etc... mind you, the back end probably is too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickeyw Posted July 22, 2019 Share Posted July 22, 2019 Have you swapped the cap with the one from the other side? This would help establish whether the cap or a loose flange is the cause of this anomaly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted July 22, 2019 Author Share Posted July 22, 2019 Cap was brand new genuine parts (after the previous one popped off ) and the flange isn't loose. Ordered the bling HD flanges now, will do a fuller rebuild of the axle at a later date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perenti Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 Having a similar issue with my front left hub cap. It puffs up full of air and popps off. Relieving the pressure by prising the cap off and you hear a little pfft, you can actually see the cap is swollen. Diff breather was removed, banjo an all. It was blocked, but cleaning it made no difference. This issue emerged on a vehicle that has done 350k with no prior mechanical changes or explanation. What would cause air pressure in the left frt hub? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted July 13, 2023 Author Share Posted July 13, 2023 For mine I'm pretty sure that worn wheel bearings were the root cause - although they had no play they were very worn and I guess getting hot enough to pressurise the cavity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miketomcat Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 I gave up and fitted HD flanges. Mine kept splitting instead of popping off though. Mike 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 i had this issue and fitting new stub shafy oil seals solvd it i then fitted the hd flanges to the front as well which was a belt and braces approach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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