Possible Axle Issue?

[taylorpipes]

I have a 1997 Disco I, and I have noticed that the driver side, rear tire has been leaking a brownish fluid onto the tire. Is this a sign that the axle, at large, or the point where the axle meets the joints is completely shot? I have noticed this the last week or so and have limited driving until I can figure out what I should do. I anticipate having to take this in, since my tools will surely not be able to compensate for fixing this job myself, and if so--does anyone have a guestimate of how much a project like this may be at a shop to repair?

Sorry if this post is vague, but I am a newbie disco owner and a newbie discoweb poster, so all help would greatly be appreciated...Im prepping the truck for a journey to the Nevada desert in August!

Thanks

Taylor

 

[Robbie]

probably just the hub/grease seal gone bad. if you do your own work, very easy on the rears. first time, maybe 2 hours. after that, 45 minutes. get a workshop manual and you should be able to do a lot of work on your own.

Complaint - Oil leaks
An external leak of lubrication from the hub seals can
be caused by a faulty internal seal. For example, if the
internal seals which separate the differential from the
hubs are faulty and the vehicle is operating or parked
on an embankment. Oil from the differential may flood
one hub causing a leak and leave the differential
lacking lubrication.
When a seal is found to be leaking check the axle
ventilation system, as a blockage can cause internal
pressure to force oil past the seals.
See ?Description and Operation? for illustrations of oil
seal locations.
When investigating hub seal leaks check the grease
for dilution with oil. Check also the differential level
and oil for metal particles and the condition of internal
seals.
If the vehicle is driven in deep water with defective oil
seals, water may contaminate the lubricants and raise
the differential level giving a false impression that the
housing has been overfilled with oil.
Do not assume that a high oil level in the
differential is due to over filling or, that a low level
is because of an external leak.