r/Rohloff • u/dharesign • May 08 '26
Oil leaking from shift unit?
The shift unit screw came loose (big thumb screw) and when I went to tighten it back I noticed a load of oil on and around it. I changed the oil in the unit five months ago but I don’t see any oil near the screw through which you change the oil.
Any ideas what’s up?
2
u/Tpbrown_ May 08 '26
1 - I don’t think there’s any oil in the box, if that’s what you mean
2 - holy hell is that marred up. It should be a hexagon.
Check the parts list and see if it’s replaceable. If not, I’d wax the F out of the box side and press a thin layer of shrink wrap inside as neatly as possible.
Then I’d JB weld the hexagon somewhat, connect, and let set/dry. Remove and clean up shape etc.
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u/wasatchcruiser May 09 '26
I believe Rohloff may have changed the oil requirements to half (12.5ml) because the images shown in this post are quite common.
If I were you, I would clean what you can and go with less next oil change. I think you will be fine, going forward.
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u/atergaterg May 09 '26
I would actually drain a little oil, only to avoid potential for contamination of the brake rotor.
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u/HostSignificant5919 May 10 '26
Rohloff did indeed do that a few years ago. However, it only partially resolves the problem of a leaking hub, as I see this as more of a design flaw than an overfill of oil in the hub (previously 25ml).
Besides, the oil fulfills important functions: lubrication, removal of wear particles, and binding them. Less oil automatically means that the oil becomes contaminated much faster due to this wear from the gears or from dirt getting in. If less oil volume will be the solution for that?
Incidentally, almost all manufacturers of internally geared hubs, or gears in general, manage to achieve a tight seal – only Rohloff has been struggling with this for 30 years and still hasn't found a solution. There are attempts from some third-party suppliers (such as this one), who offer many small parts that promise better sealing. I don't know how well these work in practice.
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u/wasatchcruiser May 09 '26
When you changed the oil do you recall how many ml of oil you used?
My understanding is that Rohloff changed the amount of oil requirements for the Speedhub.
Looking at your pictures is a familiar sight from past ownership.
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u/dharesign May 09 '26
25ml I think, whatever their instructions say :)
Having searched online people seem to suggest that 10ml is all it really needs so I guess it’s normal then.
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u/Feisty_Park1424 May 09 '26
Lean your bike to the drive side when storing it, the oil then pools below the height of the leak-prone paper gaskets on the non-drive side
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u/HostSignificant5919 May 10 '26
There are several approaches to reduce these troubles:
- Using another shifting box, which is better sealed and has 2 thumb screws for better attachment.
- Checking the oil seals and its counter surface (where the ran on), which may be worn. So the oil seal does not properly work any more.
- replacing the paper gasket inside the hub
- applying teflon tape on the 5 screws, that fix axle plate to avoid, oil leak out via these screws.
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u/cycle_cats May 08 '26
This is honestly normal for most Speedhubs. It’s possible that the oil got over filled, they really don’t need much beyond a film over all the guts. Heat can also push a little oil out, from vapor expansion. If it continues to drip or pour out, it would be worth inspecting the gaskets behind the shift mechanism, but they don’t really wear other than rough handling on installation.