rear wheel seal

Kevin A · #1 (**permalink**) 08-09-2005, 08:41 PM

I was rotating my tires and I found the drivers side rear wheel to have a light coat of oil that was allso on the brake dust shield. Is this a sign of a failing wheel seal? The brake fluid level has stayed the same for well over a year before I flushed it, and the differential fluid seems to still be the same level as well. Any suggestions?

Kevin A
1979 Spider

shoshone3 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-09-2005, 10:34 PM

If it smells bad, it's probably gear oil, brake fluid does not smell strongly like gear oil.

The seal may seep for thousands of miles, it's unlikely to dump large amounts of oil all at once. It may get to the rubber brake caliper seals, and brake pads, requiring a overhaul of the rear brakes, in addition to replacing the seal, at the same time.

You can clean the area with brake clean, drive the car and evaluate the leak. If it is not too bad, put it on your list of winter repairs.

Bill C.
84 Spider Parts Car