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coolbugfan Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2018 Posts: 330
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Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 7:06 pm Post subject: Swing axel Beetle - new axel seals leaking |
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Urgent help please!
Have mobile mechanic here. We redid the axel seals today. Swing axel Beetle. One side was BAD. All the new parts looked good. New seals put on. Everything torqued properly. Refilled transmission (it was down due to the leak.)
That was a few hours ago. We are now working on electrical stuff.
Just noticed. BOTH SIDES are leaking significantly. Any ideas? We are stumped. Car has not been driven/moved since the seals were done.
Thanks, Sambas. |
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glutamodo The Android
Joined: July 13, 2004 Posts: 26297 Location: Douglas, WY
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Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 10:50 pm Post subject: Re: Swing axel Beetle - new axel seals leaking |
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Are you talking about the rubber boots or the side covers themselves? _________________ Andy T.
IMAGE NOTE: It has been noted that Chrome based browsers may have issues in displaying my vast image library, which use non-secure links and are on an FTP server. Images should still be viewable if the link is clicked though.
I do not know how to fix this. All I can say is it all works fine for me with what I use, Firefox. |
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Busstom Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2014 Posts: 3789 Location: San Jose, CA
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Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 11:45 pm Post subject: Re: Swing axel Beetle - new axel seals leaking |
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Or maybe the wheel bearing seals at the bearing caps. |
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coolbugfan Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2018 Posts: 330
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Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2022 1:20 pm Post subject: Re: Swing axel Beetle - new axel seals leaking |
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I’m not sure how to answer. We took off a huge 36mm castle nut. Behind that was a plate with four bolts (one at each corner). That was taken off, cleaned and a seal kit was used put it all back together. So this is at the wheel end of the axels. The axel boots at the transmission end of the axels was not touched (one is good, the other was replaced about a year ago).
The leak is coming through where that plate goes on the axel. It leaks there, then runs out the little hole at the bottom of the brake drum. Can’t figure out why. Help! |
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EVfun Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2012 Posts: 5445 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2022 3:07 pm Post subject: Re: Swing axel Beetle - new axel seals leaking |
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Could the leak been from before you got the axle nut torqued down, just showing after having time to find its way out?
On the axle a metal washer from the kit, the small o-ring, then the spacer. On the outside an O-ring on the bearing and the paper gasket on the bearing cover. A new shaft seal goes in the bearing cap, then it is installed. Promptly put the drum on and torque the axle nut to over 217 lb-ft. _________________
Wildthings wrote: |
As a general rule, cheap parts are the most expensive parts you can buy. |
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61SNRF Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2009 Posts: 4657 Location: Whittier 90602
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Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2022 4:10 pm Post subject: Re: Swing axel Beetle - new axel seals leaking |
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Does the "mobile mechanic" guarantee his work? You may simply have to do them over again.
Searched this forum using 'rear axle seal'. They are very basic but seem to confound many people.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/search.php?searc...=titleonly _________________ -Bruce
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69733 Location: Phoenix Metro
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Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2022 5:05 pm Post subject: Re: Swing axel Beetle - new axel seals leaking |
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Have you moved the car at all since the work was done?
I'd roll it back and forth at least so the axles and everything are seated properly, they sort of bow in and get offset if you just jack it up and put it back down.
BUT: I can't remember this ever affecting the axle seals that you had replaced, only the rubber boots.
He probably pinched the rubber o-rings from the kit rings on install or did something else wrong, maybe by mistake, and it will have to be pulled apart and redone.
It's good the drain holes are clear and working as they are often plugged with crap.
EVFun has a valid point - Is it leaking constantly or do you just see some fluid there?
If it's just wet, wipe it off and see if more comes out. If it does, there's an issue. _________________ How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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mukluk Samba Member
Joined: October 18, 2012 Posts: 6985 Location: Clyde, TX
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Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2022 9:19 pm Post subject: Re: Swing axel Beetle - new axel seals leaking |
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Is this with the drums installed or are we talking about leaks from the bearing cap axle seals with the drums removed, possibly with the axles also angled downward from the transaxle? If it's the latter then that is normal, the fix is to fully install the drums. _________________ 1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga" |
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Ovally Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2014 Posts: 476 Location: Belgium
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Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2022 2:52 am Post subject: Re: Swing axel Beetle - new axel seals leaking |
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coolbugfan wrote: |
The leak is coming through where that plate goes on the axel. It leaks there, then runs out the little hole at the bottom of the brake drum. Can’t figure out why. Help! |
""The little hole at the bottom of the brake drum""
So you have the early style with the oil deflector/oil slinger number 14.
No need to use a paper gasket but it is recommended to use some liquid gasket at the brake plate where the axle tube and bearing cover meet.
But as said, first fully install the drums to 217 lb-ft.
Regards. _________________ VW Bug Oval 1953
VW Bug 1200 D motor
Porsche 911S MFI 1970
Mazda 929 Hardtop 1977
Mercedes SLC 180 Roadster 2018 |
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ashman40 Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2007 Posts: 15975 Location: North Florida, USA
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Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2022 12:30 pm Post subject: Re: Swing axel Beetle - new axel seals leaking |
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You didn't identify the model year of your Beetle??
As shown above, you can see the '64-earlier design. Here is the '65-later S/A diagram. Maybe this applies to your car?
From memory, spacer #10 has a chamfer on one side for the #9 o-ring to fit into. If you install #10 the wrong way you crush #9 and it will leak. _________________ AshMan40
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'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!} |
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coolbugfan Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2018 Posts: 330
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Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2022 1:03 pm Post subject: Re: Swing axel Beetle - new axel seals leaking |
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Hi All,
Thank you for the advice and help. Backwards spacer, use some sealant, get the wheels level again all sound like good suggestions. Thank you. We will try and get on that. Will I need new axel seal kits in case anything has been ‘crushed’ or just disassemble/reassemble?
From watching the parts go on and off, it looks exactly like the “post-65” picture.
I purposely left out the model year so I wouldn’t scare anyone away. It’s actually a 1995 1600i ( ) but I keep getting told that it’s basically a ‘regular 68’ swing axel for most things and 74 for the body.
Any more suggestions gratefully accepted. Thanks |
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ashman40 Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2007 Posts: 15975 Location: North Florida, USA
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Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2022 8:07 pm Post subject: Re: Swing axel Beetle - new axel seals leaking |
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You will need a new kit with new seals and gaskets. If it is leaking oil something is likely ripped or torn. Hopefully the kit has the replacement seal gasket that is leaking.
Don't forget to look at the steel washer and oil deflector. They can crack and leak. _________________ AshMan40
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'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!} |
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coolbugfan Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2018 Posts: 330
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 1:15 pm Post subject: Re: Swing axel Beetle - new axel seals leaking |
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Thank you. |
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Eric&Barb Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 24670 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 1:47 pm Post subject: Re: Swing axel Beetle - new axel seals leaking |
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The outer cover with the axle seal installed in it, must have the spacer also inside the seal, and slide all of that into place as one. Not doing so, can result in the spacer crushing the inner edge of the seal. _________________ In Stereo, Where Available! |
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