Recently I have noticed that when applying the brakes on my 03 D2 that it is taking more effort to bring the vehicle to a stop. I have to really push and the stopping distance has been increasing. I suspected the master cylinder due to brake fluid leaking under the dash were the brake pedal push rod goes through the fire wall.



So, when I pulled the rover into the barn to install the master cylinder I noticed some fluid on the back passenger wheel. Pulled the wheel and caliper and found this

The rotor and the inboard brake pad were coated in gear oil, this was probably a big part of my stopping problem. What do I need to do to fix this? Is there some kind of seal in the hub I need to replace? I have never dealt with axle related stuff so any help is greatly appreciated!
Thanks-jon.

 

There's an O ring on the hub. Chances are that the diff took on moisture at some point, and that moisture corroded the seat that the o-ring sits in, like what happened on mine, allowing gear oil to escape.

Order a new o-ring, remove the hub (4 bolts unscrewed from the rear), remove the old o-ring, clean the seat if it's corroded (I used a wire brush on a Dremel), lube and install new o-ring, and reinstall the hub into the axle.

Easy peasy.

 

Were does one buy said o ring? Couldn't find it at Atlantic British.

 

O Ring Rear Hub D2 '99-'03 (Genuine Part # FTC4919) - Land Rover gaskets and seals from Atlantic British

 

Any danger of the gear oil getting into the bearings and liquefying the grease causing wear damage? Reading through some other post it sounds like the hub could also be leaking.

 

It's possible that the hub has failed, but I would check the o ring first.

Also, on the rear differential, find the breather, make sure the banjo bolt and breather line are not plugged. And drain off a bit of gear oil from the diff, if it's milky, you need to flush and refill.

 

The DII uses a cheap plastic plug as a axle breather not a banjo bolt.
But the tube could still be clogged.

 

Thanks for all the replys, this afternoon will dive into it and see what I can find.

 

Finally got it apart. It is not leaking around the o ring it is coming out through the hub. I assume this means the hub is bad? I also, checked the breather line for the axle and i can easily blow air through it.

 

Yes, your hub is had and as such you can either buy a good guaranteed used on or a new one for around $350.
You will also need a new set of rear brake pads and would suggest you try Akebono ceramic pads which work really well, last longer then standard pads, don't squeak and no brake dust.