Oil leaks, and leaks.....

[daviddd55]

I'm just finishing a 4000km ride around NZ and oil continues to leak from the gearbox....from both sides and from the drain screw. I know Rohloff say "don't worry, there's still enough all stuck to the gears to lubricate" but the leaking must be indicative of a problem?
Another cyclist I met here with Rohloff who is touting the world had the same problem and got what he describes as an oil seal replacement, at no cost to himself, in Kuala lumpa at an authorised dealer. Is this what my gearbox needs? I have rode about 35,000km on this box over the last 8 years with no maintenance other than regular oil changes. I'm coming back to UK in 10 days.

[StuntPilot]

Could be the hub seals right enough. I did a tour of almost 7000km in 2013 on a 2009 Rohloff (5 years old) and never had any oil leaks other than a little 'misting' as is expected on the Rohloff. You have done many more km than me and in some dusty conditions by the sounds of it.

I had a quick look the inter-web and here is an article covering the procedure ...

https://thelazyrando.wordpress.com/2013/05/09/replacing-rohloff-hub-oil-seals/

And a video from Rohloff that shows a real-time view of what is involved ...

http://www.rohloff.de/en/technology/workshop/videos/hub_seal_replacement/index.html

Looks like some specialist tools are involved so I would just take it to an authorised Rohloff dealer on your return to the UK. At least they can advise if it is indeed the seals causing the oil leak (hopefully for free!).

Have a good trip back - your tour sounded fantastic!

[daviddd55]

Thanks for that SP. You can Check out my NZ blog at http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/nz2014