When ever I lie my wheel down on it's side, I end up with a little puddle of Rohloff oil on my floor. It's coming from the shifter box side but I can't really tell exactly from where. My biggest concern is that it's a compromised seal but I've also done a lot of fiddling with the axle plate so maybe it's leaking through the bolt holes? (yes, they're properly torqued)

I thought I'd try some loctite on the axle plate bolts in an attempt seal them up but I thought I'd check to see if anyone had a similar problem and solution first. Plus, I'm not exactly sure if loctite will be effective in such an oily environment.

Also, does anyone have a good source for the cleaning solution and all weather oil?

Thanks

...you don't have some type of thread sealer on the axle plate bolts. I haven't experienced this yet myself (I don't store the bikes on the side) but I've read similar stories of leakage from the bolt holes. There is a LocTite made specifically for oily applications, and perhaps you could get away with a tiny amount of thread sealer just along the upper threads of the bolts.

I recall one of the other indications of it being a bolt issue (as opposed to a seal issue) was an oily quick release skewer.

When ever I lie my wheel down on it's side, I end up with a little puddle of Rohloff oil on my floor.
Also, does anyone have a good source for the cleaning solution and all weather oil?


A bit of seapage is normal with the hub, especially if you have just changed the oil and it is slightly over filled. The hub is designed with a breathing port with a labyrinth path through the axle to the outside to compensate for expansion (so the pressure doesn't force grease out through the bearing seals or dirt in). As a result, there is always a bit of oil coming out of the axle - Thomas @ Rohloff has assured me that it's fine and the hub will not run dry. I do find it a bit of a pain as when you ship the bike by plane, or lay it down in the back of your car, it leaves a bit of oil. However, I get less seapage over time (and less when I don't overfill the hub) - until I change the oil again...

As for the oil, I've always used Rohloff oil (with the recomended additives for cold weather). Have been getting them direct from Rohloff. I'm sure I can come up with something that would work with the seals, but why bother for a twice a year change at a few bucks, when it affects the warrenttee....

Cheers,

Tom

Thanks guys. I found some automotive thread sealer which they claim is good for oily environments. I'll give that a shot on the axle plate bolts. I didn't know about the breathing port so I'll keep in mind that I may always get some leakage. The volume that ends up on the floor makes me think it's more than just clearing a vent labyrinth though.

Tom, when you say you buy your oil directly from Rohloff, is that Rohloff USA? The only number I can find is their main office in El Cerrito, CA.

Thanks again.

...but their old El Cerrito number is still valid (it's also listed on their www.RohloffUSA.com contact page). They will sell direct to consumers. Rohloff has since replaced their summer and winter weight oils with an all-season oil. I use it, but can't vouch for its extreme cold weather performance. Rohloff seems pretty happy with it though.

Also, their user manual has changed regarding oil changes. If I can get my USB port working tonight, I'll scan and post a copy (they're not yet published on the website in English). Off the top of my head, the new rinse and fill instructions are:

Add 25ml of Rohloff rinse oil to hub (don't drain any old oil)
Ride the hub 10 miles
Drain out the rinse oil + old oil
Add 25ml of fresh oil

This is a slight change from the original instructions which recommended 50ml of rinse oil and 30ml of fresh oil. In talking with Thomas, Rohloff really seems to encourage us to err on the side of less oil, in response to leakage <i>and</i> shifting response. You wouldn't think 5ml could make that much difference!

Fixed mine by replacing the axle plate screws with new ones that had thread sealant applied to the threads and the blue seal on the left side of the hub shell. Also, put 2 new gaskets in between the axle ring and axle plate. No more leaks. Normal "sweating" or damp spots around the axle plate is ok. Thomas at Rohloff will answer any more concerns, as He really knows his product and always has lots of tips/suggestions to keep you riding.....If your from Canada, check out these guys www.esgi.ca
Canadian distributer for Rohloff and other great products.

Vernon VernDog

...Tom, when you say you buy your oil directly from Rohloff, is that Rohloff USA? The only number I can find is their main office in El Cerrito, CA.


Bob, yes in the past I've purchased directly from Thomas at Rohloff USA. Now that there is a Canadian Distributer, I'll probably go there first.

I just started using the milti-grade oil this winter, and it has the same issues as the original winter oil at below freezing temps, but a kerosene thinner usually solves that problem. I'm trying something slightly different (a suggestion from Thomas) which I'll post if it works - I have not had the hub out much recently, as I've been using my single speed alot (which is even lower maintenance than the Rohloff!).

Cheers,

Tom

I had to take the axle plate off and realign it to fit the Kona A frame instead of the Brodie 1 Ball, I also just changed oil in it and found the same thing, leaking on the shift box side, especially when it was leaned over toward that side. The oil had filled the inside of QR axle as well and began showing up everywhere.

I took the axle plate off again and put a very very thin bead of Permatex high oil resistance gasket (http://www.permatex.com/products/automotive/automotive_gasketing/gasket_makers/auto_Permatex_Ultra_Black_Maximum_Oil_Resistance_R TV_Silicone_Gasket_Maker.htm) compound around the raised ridge on the axle plate where it sits in the round opening in the external gear box. I thought it might be caused by seepage around the axle plate since that's not really a machined surface on the axle plate itself. I did the fix about 10 hours ago and I've had it leaned over on the non-drive side since then and it's dry as a bone.