Oil traces on my Rohloff hub
There are oil traces on my Rohloff hub, at the drain screw or at the axle. Is this normal, and do I need to do anything?
Short answer: a light film of oil is normal. The Rohloff hub runs in a sealed oil bath. Changes in temperature (for example in warm weather) and air pressure can push a tiny amount of oil out at the seals, the housing cover and the drain screw, and dust then sticks to it. This film is not a leak, needs no immediate service, and does not affect how the hub works or how long it lasts.
Film or drops?
Section titled “Film or drops?”- A light film without drops: normal. Clean it and keep an eye on it.
- Drops, or oil that keeps running: this is a real leak. Please contact us with photos. Our workshop checks the axle plate screws, the gaskets and the seals.
What to do
Section titled “What to do”- Clean the hub. Wipe the housing clean with a soft cloth, water and a mild cleaning agent. Leave the shaft seals themselves alone: do not clean them with brushes, cloths or cotton swabs, because this can push dirt under the sealing lip and make the seepage worse.
- Leave the drain screw as it is. Do not tighten it any further. It is tightened to 0.5 Nm and must never sit deeper than flush with the housing; a screw turned in too deep presses on a part inside the hub, and the pedals can then spin without drive in several gears. If oil keeps coming from the drain screw, it needs fresh thread sealant or a new drain screw. This can be done at the next oil change (the oil change kit contains a new drain screw with sealant), or by our workshop.
- Do not add oil. The amount lost as a film is negligible. Too much oil in the hub encourages leaks, and a slightly lower oil level is not a problem until the next oil change, which is due at least once a year or every 5000 km. See Rohloff oil change.
If the oil comes with other symptoms, such as slipping or stiff shifting, see Rohloff fault diagnosis.
There is oil around my Rohloff drain screw. Is that a problem?
A light film is normal and not a fault: wipe the housing clean and keep an eye on it. Do not tighten the drain screw any further; it is set to 0.5 Nm. If the oil forms drops or keeps coming back, send us photos so we can check it.
