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Front wheel getting dirty with oil?
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chacho_25
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 4:57 pm    Post subject: Front wheel getting dirty with oil? Reply with quote

My front passenger wheel is getting dirty with what looks like oil, it looks like running from the hub?
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yauchzee
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 5:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Brake fluid?
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VeedubPastor
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 5:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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Mafmajor
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 10:19 am    Post subject: Similar problem Reply with quote

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]
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Northof49
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 10:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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Mafmajor
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 10:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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DrummerDaveB
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 10:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 10:55 am    Post subject: Re: Similar problem Reply with quote

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.
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Mafmajor
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 11:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
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wayne1230cars
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 11:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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?
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Mafmajor
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 11:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 11:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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PostPosted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 1:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 1:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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?
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 1:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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. Wink
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 2:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

How old are the rubber brake hoses?
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Mafmajor
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 6:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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?
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PostPosted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 6:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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PostPosted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 6:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Find a qualified mechanic to fix your antique car before you kill somebody with it.
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PostPosted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 8:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
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