Is it necessary to replace the leaking half-shaft oil seal on a Bora?
2 Answers
A damaged half-shaft oil seal needs to be replaced promptly. Factors related to oil seals: Poor sealing of the oil seal is the main cause of oil leakage. When the shaft wears and forms grooves, even replacing the oil seal with a new one may not solve the sealing issue. This is because the contact pressure between the oil seal lip and the shaft decreases, resulting in insufficient interference between the installed oil seal lip diameter and the shaft diameter. Functional purposes: Engine: Crankshaft—front and rear crankshaft oil seals; Valve—valve oil seals (engine repair kit O-rings) (distributor oil seal, water pump oil seal, balance shaft oil seal, oil pump oil seal...); Camshaft—camshaft oil seal; Transmission: Transmission—front and rear transmission oil seals, gearshift lever oil seal (transmission repair kit O-rings) (transfer case—front and rear transfer case oil seals); Rear axle: Half-shaft—rear half-shaft oil seal; Differential—front/rear angular vector oil seal, rear wheel oil seal, front wheel oil seal, steering gear oil seal (steering gear repair kit O-rings), steering booster oil seal (front half-shaft oil seal).
I've been driving for over a decade, and the oil seepage from the Volkswagen Bora's axle shaft oil seal is something that really needs serious attention. The oil seal prevents transmission fluid leakage. Prolonged seepage leads to reduced oil levels, increased wear on the axle shaft, resulting in squeaking noises while driving, and potential damage to other components. The Bora model is prone to oil seal aging. I've seen owners who neglected to replace it end up spending thousands more on repairs. When the seepage is minor, you might get by for a while, but it's best not to delay. Check the extent of the leakage: if it's just small drips, you can monitor it for a few more days, but make sure to top up the lubricant regularly. If there's a major leak or noticeable vibration during acceleration, head to a repair shop immediately to replace the oil seal. Safety comes first—this hidden danger shouldn't be ignored, as a breakdown on the highway could be extremely dangerous. Replacing the oil seal isn't too expensive; spending a bit for peace of mind is much better than facing a major overhaul later.
