I noticed what appears to be grease on one front wheel of my car, as if it had spun out to the edges when the wheel is spinning at speed. I washed it off, and it came back when i drove. What might the cause be?
2006-12-17 13:23:14 · 10 answers · asked by Richard S 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Assuming it is a FWD car the only source for that much grease is a torn boot that covers the Constant Velocity Joint on the drive axle - and it will be the outer boot at that.
The CV joint allows the axle to move up and down with the suspension without binding. To keep it doing that the joint is packed with grease which is contained within a rubber accordion boot. Over time the rubber degrades and can tear open allowing grease out and dirt in. The axle shaft spins at the same speed as the wheels so you can imagine how that might propel a lot of hot liquid grease in all directions. Once that happens the axle shaft should be replaced. You could rebuild the joint but it would cost just as much as a new shaft so I always go with the new shaft.
Wheel bearings on most newer cars are permantently sealed and don't have enough grease in them to cause what you describe so you can safely ignore all the people who answered bearings.
2006-12-17 14:42:40 · answer #1 · answered by Naughtums 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have drum brakes it could be a bad wheel cylinder so the grease you see may be brake fluid if yo wanna check it pull your tire off and pull the drum off you may have to give it a couple whacks with a mallet or you may have to take the bolt off that is in the middle of the drum inside you will find a wheel bearing if the grease you see is not brake fluid then it is probobley grease that is excaping from the cap that covers the wheel bearing.. get drum off and peel back the boot on cylinder if fluid pours out change it out you will probobley have to change the brake shoes also because if they are contamenated with fluid it wont work any longer. if your wheel feels loose by moving the wheel from top to bottom of wheel id say your bearinings are bad or the bolt is loose and could be causing the grease flinging. before you do any thing jack the car up and spin the wheel if you hear noise like a grinding you probobley have a bummer wheel bearing.
2016-05-23 03:16:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess the shaft from the axle to the wheel is broken. Its universal joints are greased in some cars. Try comparing the right and left front wheel, to find the fault.
2006-12-17 13:27:07 · answer #3 · answered by Bharath 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ripped C/V boot, you need to replace the boot, I recomend replacing the axel, its not much more on labour costs, and do not touch the grease because it consists of led. Take it to a garage, and have them do it, At my shop i usually charge around the $350 range, on some cars.This does need to be done, do not put it off.
2006-12-17 13:27:37 · answer #4 · answered by gregthomasparke 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have a ripped or torn seal thats is letting the grease out..... repack the bearing, replace the seal and you will be good.
2006-12-17 13:47:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
probly a wheel seal thats bad and it probly went out from a bad wheel bearing or it could be a torn boot on the cv joint if its a front wheel drive car either way take it to a shop and have it serviced soon
2006-12-17 13:37:06 · answer #6 · answered by truss 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
ok it dosnt contain lead if its from the wheel bearings or CV joint it will be high temp grease which will not hav lead in, stupid question but u sure its grease and not black brake dust? if its grease it will most likly be the rubber bit that surrounds the CV joint that has split.
2006-12-17 13:33:57 · answer #7 · answered by whitenight639 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like a bad seal. I recommend having your front end bearings inspected and repacked.
2006-12-17 13:27:24 · answer #8 · answered by emouse1974 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
too much grease in the bearings
2006-12-17 13:24:52 · answer #9 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its probably an axle boot tore and the grease is coming out of it.check the boots.
2006-12-17 14:26:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋