Leaking hub

[CMT]

My front right hub has been leaking for a few months now. I originally suspected the wheel seal but have been told twice by 2 different shops it's the plug and not the seal. Both times the plug was replaced and the leak seems to stop for a few weeks then starts again.

I took it in last fall to a Petro that I have trusted over the years and was told it was the plug & not the wheel seal. They replaced the plug and it didn't leak for a few weeks after that. I figured they were right because it went a while without leaking again even tho I've never had a bad plug before. Needless to say, it started leaking again. I asked another mechanic at a different shop and was told again it wasn't the seal, but the plug. Same thing.. plug was replaced.

I'm constantly cleaning that rim as to not draw attention to it, plus any exterior moisture makes it look worse than what it is. I need to get it to the guys in the shop that I trust the most, but it's just a matter of timing with having to drop my truck off with them. The lube inside the hub almost appears a bit rusty. I'm a stickler about maintenance and have never let the hubs run low or dry. I'm currently using 75w 90 in them. Could it perhaps be the bearings causing the issue here? Or maybe 2 different mechanics were wrong in their diagnosis? Any input you all can offer is greatly appreciated.

 

[Sinister]

Could be the cap is chipped and the rubber plug just not seating properly?

 

[CMT]

I've looked at everything on the hub and can't see anything. Unless there's a tiny hairline crack that I can't see..?? I don't notice any rough edge when I take the plug off to add oil.

This truck is a 2020 International & at least 2 other drivers had it before they handed it over to me last year since my old was up there in miles and due for trade in. The previous drivers beat up this truck a bit, so I don't know if there's something hidden that neither myself or the past 2 mechanics aren't seeing.

I don't add lube to it that often, but by the looks of how it leaks out, you'd swear the leak was much worse.

I've gotta get it in the shop soon with the folks that I trust. I normally give him a heads up on what I'm bringing my truck in for so he can get parts ordered prior to me dropping it off, if need be.

This one just has me stumped tho. Even if the bearings were shot, that shouldn't be causing a leak, right? I've never had just a plug replaced before, so going thru 2 in such a short timeframe is making think it's something other than the plug. Maybe I'm wrong here. Duck suggested I reach out to pick your brains for some input on this. I hope it's not slim pickens here today.. lol!

 

[Humble pie]

Are they overfilling the cap?

 

[Humble pie]

Next time just replace the whole cap. They are cheap.

 

[CMT]

Are they overfilling the cap?

No, it's been filled to the half way line. Now that you mention the cap, is it possible that could be warped slightly? If that's even a possibility..?

 

[CMT]

The center hole/fill hole in the cap may be a little outta round or worn. Dirt can get in between the cap and plug sealing surface and wear it. Then it will constantly seep. You can always put a little bit of RTV silicone on the plug when it's installed, but I'd just replace the whole cap assembly like @Humble pie recommended.

Those CR brand plastic caps are literally around $20 and come with a gasket and new bolts. Buy a quart of synthetic 75W90 oil and change that cap in about 10 minutes.

The cap is junk

Thanks for the info, I'll certainly give it a try. What are your thoughts regarding the discolored oil? If water has seeped into the hub & caused rust somehow, you don't see it. Then again wouldn't water dissipate faster than the lube if that were even the case? I'll snap a pic when I get parked in about 2 hours showing the discoloration. I'm unloading at my last stop right now & it's raining here...I don't want to melt.. Plus I think Charles Manson is in the dock next to me, so I'll wait til I'm in a safer feeling spot before I get out of my truck..

 

[Sinister]

WHAT YOU DO...

Is let the truck get as filthy as possible.

Pour strange liquids down one side and let them turn to blackish stains.

Never clean the windows. Inside or out.

Looses a few panels so they rattle and vibrate while in motion.

Take off one corner of your bumper.

Remove one mudflap.

Then throw your foot on the dash, and go down the road at 100mph holding your phone horizontally and yelling into it.

Just make the whole thing sort of a theme. Nobody will think anything of it.

 

[Humble pie]

Thanks for the info, I'll certainly give it a try. What are your thoughts regarding the discolored oil? If water has seeped into the hub & caused rust somehow, you don't see it. Then again wouldn't water dissipate faster than the lube if that were even the case? I'll snap a pic when I get parked in about 2 hours showing the discoloration. I'm unloading at my last stop right now & it's raining here...I don't want to melt.. Plus I think Charles Manson is in the dock next to me, so I'll wait til I'm in a safer feeling spot before I get out of my truck..

If it’s enough water to cause damage it will turn milky. If that’s the case pull the hub clean and refill. If it just dark top off with fresh oil and let er eat.

 

[mndriver]

Cheap enough I’d just replace the cap.

considering you’re toying with a potential Out-of-service violation, I wouldn’t mess around with it.

https://highwaypatrol.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2019/06/2019-CVSA-OOS-Criteria.pdf

 

[CMT]

WHAT YOU DO...

Is let the truck get as filthy as possible.

Pour strange liquids down one side and let them turn to blackish stains.

Never clean the windows. Inside or out.

Looses a few panels so they rattle and vibrate while in motion.

Take off one corner of your bumper.

Remove one mudflap.

Then throw your foot on the dash, and go down the road at 100mph holding your phone horizontally and yelling into it.

Just make the whole thing sort of a theme. Nobody will think anything of it.

Can I still do all this even tho I'm not a foreigner??

 

[CMT]

If it’s enough water to cause damage it will turn milky. If that’s the case pull the hub clean and refill. If it just dark top off with fresh oil and let er eat.

 

[Humble pie]

It’s looks a little creamy, but the back of the plug looks fine. Is it any thicker than normal. It may just be the oil they used. Hard for me to say.

 

[Humble pie]

Generally watered down oil will be thick and build up. Looking at the plug and spindle I would probably run it.

 

[Humble pie]

But it is overfilled

 

[Humble pie]

That line is the full mark

 

[CMT]

I threw some in it last night before I headed out.. my bad

 

[mndriver]

I threw some in it last night before I headed out.. my bad

Not a big issue. It’s more for giving the oil a space to expand. Yeah you don’t want to overfill, but that’s not horrible there.
I’ll often fill it to the cap quickly and then by the time you leave and it rotates enough it works into the center and inner bearing bringing it to the proper level. Turkey Baster can be used to suck the extra out if really needed.

 

[Oxbow]

But it is overfilled

And that probably is contributing to what is seeping past the cap.

 

[Slowpoke KW]

I concur with what the others are saying.

I had the same caps on my truck when I bought it and after a few years the plugs started leaking and were really soft, new plugs fixed that.
I like to run them a little over full up to the point where the oil is just touching the threads on the spindle, it still leaves room for expansion. Yours is high enough that the plug will be touching the oil