Author |
Message |
chacho_25 Samba Member
Joined: February 04, 2011 Posts: 69
|
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 4:57 pm Post subject: Front wheel getting dirty with oil? |
|
|
My front passenger wheel is getting dirty with what looks like oil, it looks like running from the hub? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
yauchzee Samba Member
Joined: August 11, 2009 Posts: 470 Location: Moscow, Idaho
|
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 5:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Brake fluid? _________________ Stefan
1972 Super Beetle Convertible |
|
Back to top |
|
|
VeedubPastor Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2009 Posts: 761 Location: Maryland
|
Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 5:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Or the bearing seal on the back of the wheel? You should be able to tell the difference between grease and brake fluid. Brake fluid removes paint, so if it's being flung everywhere, that's not good. _________________ 1971 Super Beetle - Daily Driver
Solex H30/31 & 034 distributor (yeah, I know)
Stock thermostat & flaps
Stock air cleaner and emissions equipment |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mafmajor Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2014 Posts: 46 Location: Fairfield CA
|
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 10:19 am Post subject: Similar problem |
|
|
I'm having a similar problem and it looks like oil as well on my front passenger wheel. The hubcap is also scorching hot. Any ideas?[/i] |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Northof49 Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2013 Posts: 1759 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
|
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 10:24 am Post subject: |
|
|
Sounds like a problem with the wheel bearing. Jack up that side and spin the wheel. Look for abnormalities like excessive play or tightness. The wheel should spin freely and smoothly.
Ultimately, you will need a manual and should remove the hub from the spindle and inspect the wheel bearings. _________________ 1958 Karmann Ghia owner |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mafmajor Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2014 Posts: 46 Location: Fairfield CA
|
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 10:45 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for the reply North. Any possibilities it might be the wheel cylinder as it's leaking. I've noticed that on quick breaking it's been pulling to the left a bit |
|
Back to top |
|
|
DrummerDaveB Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2005 Posts: 504 Location: Louisville, KY Area
|
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 10:54 am Post subject: |
|
|
Mafmajor wrote: |
Thanks for the reply North. Any possibilities it might be the wheel cylinder as it's leaking. I've noticed that on quick breaking it's been pulling to the left a bit |
Yes, you could have issues w/ both your bearing, and a brake fluid leak. _________________ 79 SB Vert, in pieces.
Kadrons, SVDA. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
wcfvw69 Samba Purist
Joined: June 10, 2004 Posts: 13382 Location: Arizona
|
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 10:55 am Post subject: Re: Similar problem |
|
|
Mafmajor wrote: |
I'm having a similar problem and it looks like oil as well on my front passenger wheel. The hubcap is also scorching hot. Any ideas?[/i] |
If the hubcap is scorching hot, it's one of two things-
* The wheel bearing are bad and are adjusted too tight.
* Your brake pads are adjusted to tight.
Either way, pull the drum off and inspect it. Pull the bearing out and check them and the races. There should be no roughness to either nor pitting or other imperfections.
If you're seeing fluid, you're wheel cylinder in all likelihood is leaking and has soaked your brake pads. The pads will need to be changed as well. _________________ Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc
Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.
**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours** |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mafmajor Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2014 Posts: 46 Location: Fairfield CA
|
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 11:01 am Post subject: |
|
|
So the fact that the hubcap is on fire is a separate issue from the leak? Thanks for the help guys I'll check it out either later today or tomorrow and get back to y'all |
|
Back to top |
|
|
wayne1230cars Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2010 Posts: 2684 Location: Canada
|
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 11:04 am Post subject: |
|
|
Agree. I would be checking those wheel bearings before any more driving. Good idea to check both wheels while you are at it.
Also try to identify if the leak you are seeing is grease or brake fluid. Is your brake fluid level dropping?
One time I adjusted my emergency brake cables too tight. After about a mile of driving I could have fried an egg on my rear hubcaps. Have you recently adjusted your front shoes? _________________ 1960 beetle
1970 beetle convertible |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mafmajor Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2014 Posts: 46 Location: Fairfield CA
|
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 11:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
I noticed a couple a weeks ago that my car was pulling to the left sometimes when breaking so I removed the front tires and checked them. All brakes seemed fine and full of life so I put them back on and topped off my brake fluid. Drove to class this morning and my right front hub is burning to the touch and there is fluid around the rim. I'm still in class right now (whoops) and have work later tonight but I'm going to check thoroughly. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mafmajor Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2014 Posts: 46 Location: Fairfield CA
|
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 11:26 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
wcfvw69 Samba Purist
Joined: June 10, 2004 Posts: 13382 Location: Arizona
|
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 1:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Mafmajor wrote: |
I noticed a couple a weeks ago that my car was pulling to the left sometimes when breaking so I removed the front tires and checked them. All brakes seemed fine and full of life so I put them back on and topped off my brake fluid. Drove to class this morning and my right front hub is burning to the touch and there is fluid around the rim. I'm still in class right now (whoops) and have work later tonight but I'm going to check thoroughly. |
If you overtightened the adjustment nut on the bearings, they will get hot and melt the grease. How did you adjust the bearing pre-load? They should have almost NO preload on them or zero foot pounds.
You really need to take both front wheels off and inspect the bearings/races and wheel cylinders. If you fried the bearings, you're taking a risk of them coming apart and leaving you on the side of the road. _________________ Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc
Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.
**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours** |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mafmajor Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2014 Posts: 46 Location: Fairfield CA
|
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 1:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yeah the bearings seem to be the culprit. I cannot seem to take the drum off. I've tried jimmying it back and forth. Is hammering it an option. If i do hammer it is it better to get a new drum. Will I need a new spindle as well since it was running at a high temp? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
[email protected] Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2011 Posts: 1593 Location: Louisville, ky
|
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 1:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
You might not be able to get the drum off because the brakes are jammed against it. Lossen the star wheels and see if that helps.
I always take an extra bolt with a nut on it down under the car when adjusting my star wheels so I can hold it in the correct orientation and spin the nut so I know which way to spin the star wheel. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Q-Dog Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2010 Posts: 8687 Location: Sunset, Louisiana
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mafmajor Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2014 Posts: 46 Location: Fairfield CA
|
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 6:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Quick update for those interested:
I'm pretty sure the problem is only the bearing. It seems that it must have heated up to the point where the bearing attached to the spindle. So now I must find a spindle(the lowering one), drum, bearings and hardware. I'm also going to replace the shoes and the hose. They sell everything but the spindle at my local parts store.
Anyone suggestions on where I can get the right spindle only? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
firefly1241 Samba Member
Joined: July 14, 2014 Posts: 2 Location: La Crosse, WI
|
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 6:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
Just wondering why you suspect you need to replace the spindle? Unless the bearing is either frozen (got so hot you cannot remove) and/or melted to the spindle or there is heavy scoring on the spindle it should be fine to reuse. Even if it is the first of the two you should be able to remove the spindle and take it to a shop and they should be able to press the the bearing off the spindle. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
iowegian Samba Curmudgeon
Joined: February 16, 2005 Posts: 9826 Location: Somewhere between Dubuque and Keokuk
|
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 6:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
Find a qualified mechanic to fix your antique car before you kill somebody with it. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
wcfvw69 Samba Purist
Joined: June 10, 2004 Posts: 13382 Location: Arizona
|
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 8:36 am Post subject: |
|
|
Mafmajor wrote: |
Quick update for those interested:
I'm pretty sure the problem is only the bearing. It seems that it must have heated up to the point where the bearing attached to the spindle. So now I must find a spindle(the lowering one), drum, bearings and hardware. I'm also going to replace the shoes and the hose. They sell everything but the spindle at my local parts store.
Anyone suggestions on where I can get the right spindle only? |
You can remove the bearing race off the spindle w/out having to replace it. I've used a torch to carefully cut it and then split the remaining part off w/a sharp chisel. You might even be able to heat the bearing part up and then split it w/a chisel as well. _________________ Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc
Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.
**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours** |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|