Rear hub leaking fluid (1 Viewer)

[Zarek Cockar]

Hi all,

My 1994 80 GX's rear hub is leaking fluid from this one single nut (as shown in the attached photo).
A couple of questions:
1. How serious an issue is this in the short-term?
2. How big a job will it be to fix it? I'm assuming some seal is compromised?

I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to fixing my own vehicle.

Thanks in advance!

 

[retrofive]

Short term, no. I drove with mine like that for months (just kept an eye on the fluid level) until it got to the point it was leaking so bad it was sparying oil on the tire.

Not a bad job at all.

 

[retrofive]

 

[Zarek Cockar]

Awesome video. Thanks!

 

[bloc]

A few extra points.

The leak may be from loose wheel bearings. When that happens the radial play allows the inner axle shaft to push up against the rubber seal in the end of the spindle (~1:57 in that video) and gear oil from the axle/diff can go by the seal, slowly washing the grease out of the bearings. Other than making a mess this isn't as terrible as it sounds, because gear lube is actually great for bearings. Most full-float axles don't even use grease in the bearings.. the diff oil handles lubricating them.

If you are going to be in there to the extent in the video, go ahead and replace that seal also, even if it isn't shown. It isn't expensive, and not difficult to change. They do wear down and allow gear oil to go by. 90310-35001 per my notes