Front drive shafts oily ?

My seals were worn and looked like this hopefully yours isn't as bad.

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I replaced the kingpin bearings, inner shaft oil seals and the swivel hub grease seals less then 2 years ago.
Went OK after I worked around, and not having to disconnect, the ABS sensor wires.

Now, only 15k miles later on tarmac roads, getting oil/grease on swivel hub /roadwheel on n/s.

I believe the vacuum hub locking system is working OK but will check.

There is no play at all in the kingpin bearings or wheel bearings and the Jimny passed its MOT only last week.

I did find out that the brake caliper is dragging/not backing off as it should/ and will give that a look when change the pads.

The question is: Is it oil from the diff getting pass the drive shaft oil seal or excess grease getting pass the swivel hub seal?

Any advice please.

thanks

overthetop

Place finger in oily residue.
Smell finger.

Diff oil stinks rather like cat wee.
Grease doesn't.

That simple? not really.

As the oil has the get past the grease to leak out of the swivel hub seal it will end up as a mess. Even worse if water gets mixed in.

So which is the more likely cause of failure - the oil or the grease seal?

On the other hand, does it matter which whist the Jimny continues to pass the MOT?

If it doesn't contain diff oil, then it is excess grease from the sphere, and the dust seal has let go due to wear.
If it contains diff oil, the shaft oil seal has gone.

Wipe it clean, and see how much it leaks.

If it is just a trace, forget about it. If it starts to get on the tyre, change the seals and swivel bearings.