So, I took the plunge and I'm the new owner of a 2000 discovery with about 110K miles. I'm in the process of sorting out a number of leaks.

Before I put on new rotors and pads, I need to take care of this one on the front driver's side (pictures attached). From previous posts I believe this looks like an axle seal leak. I pulled off the axle breather tube and was able to blow through it without any apparent obstructions (I assume it was the axle vent hose).

If the vent isn't clogged, is this seal my next step before a hub replacement?
www.roverparts.com/Parts/FTC4822.cfm

It also looks like the passenger side front is a little damp too. Am I on the right path?

 

Yeah looks like an axle seal. If it was the CV boot I think it'd be all around the knuckle. Looks like it's just running down.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I have a seal on order and hopefully it'll be here by the weekend.

I didn't seen anything in the Rave manual about draining the axle oil first. Will it make a big mess if I don't?

 

No need to drain the diff, just jack that side up higher than the other.

 

So, I finally got the replacement seal and pulled it apart this weekend. However, when I pulled the new seal out of the package I saw this. The metal ring doesn't appear fully seated. Is this defective? I've pushed fairly hard on it and it won't move (I'm afraid to damage the rubber if I push any harder). I'd hate to wait for a replacement, but I'd hate to waste a new set of rotors and pads even more.

And, just to confirm (since the RAVE manual doesn't really say), the metal ring side goes towards the truck centerline? That was the orientation of the old one, but I don't want to repeat the same mistake if someone had it apart before and put it in the wrong way. I ask this because I've seen pictures that suggest it's installed the other way (with the metal ring facing out).