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Thu Sep 05, 2002 4:02 pm

The other day I laid under my beetle just to check things out. As I was looking around I saw some kind of fluid comming out or the brake drum(it was the texture of brake fluid and had the smell of oil/grease....I am prety sure it wasn't brake fluid). I also found transmission fluid leaking out of the side of the trans. I just put more trans fluid in but it never overflowed...now it is leaking. any help on how to fix these problems would be much appreciated(especialy the brake problem)....thanks a bunch

Matt

Thu Sep 05, 2002 4:32 pm

Not sure what you are talking about coming form the back of the drum. Could only be one of two things though: Break fluid or trany grease. If you had just filled your trany and overfilled it, it could run down the axle tube and run out inside the drum. Especially if you had the car up in the air and the wheels hanging off the ground. As far as trany leaking? Well sounds like you need new axle boots. Kiefernet will undoubtably be here in a minute with what ever Ive missed. Hes a wealth of knowledge.

Thu Sep 05, 2002 6:14 pm

Is your brake fluid reservoir level going down?

Thu Sep 05, 2002 8:09 pm

Oh, I see from the previous oil post that it's you Matt, and you do have a 65 so it is the swingaxle stuff... Thanks Trayle, that was a complement I take ;)

Thu Sep 05, 2002 8:09 pm

If it is a swingaxle( you diddn't give the year) it is like Trayle and Tim said, either a leaking wheel cyl... or a rear axle seal leaking....

the swingaxle is a "wet axle" meaning it has gear oil that runs in the axle tube to the outer wheel bearing, there is a seal in the outer bearing cover to keep the fluid from leaking out and onto the brake shoes ect...

Now on some of these models (except the earlier swing axles) the backing plate actually has a "weep hole" in it which the fluid runs out of to let you know you have a seal out and to keep the fluid out of the drum and off the brake parts...

(sometimes it gets clogged with dirt or sealant and does not work thus getting the fluid all over everything...)

You need to pull the rear drum and see whats up... Low fluid in the resivour will tell you and looking will confirm if it is brake fluid... IT COULD ALSO BE BOTH!!!!

The fluid leaking from the center of the trans (swingaxle again) is most likely the notorious "torn swingaxle boot".... they are a bit of a bitch to change, and all but the best quality will be leaking in a year or so.... So get German ones if you need to replace them.

If you have an IRS tranny then disreguard all the swing axle stuff and look for the rear cylinder being blown......

Thu Sep 05, 2002 9:39 pm

Your the man bro...

Fri Sep 06, 2002 7:45 am

I just have more idle time on my hands at the moment, there are alot of others like Tim, Rob, yourself and, like I said ALOT of others who post good stuff on here, especially on subjects I don't touch!... and there is alot of that as I'm not familiar with every model...
I've seen alot of problems and figure the best way to keep people enthused with Vw's ( espescially newbie types) is to help them get their cars fixed asap, and by their own hands if possible..... later...

Fri Sep 06, 2002 2:21 pm

Hey thank you guys very much. I am going to look at the axle boots and mess around with it this weekend (do any of you guys know how i could get parts here in indiana in a short amount of time....i order alot from wolfsburg west but that might take 3-4 days and i kinda need the car). again thank you very much for the help.

Thanks
Matt

Fri Sep 06, 2002 8:26 pm

Actually the "horse is out of the barn" so as long as you just topped it off you can wait the few days until the parts arrive.... Get both axle boots and both rear seals and or rear wheel cyls as the case may be...
The swingaxle boots are a real pain... be sure to install them at an angle tword the front or rear ( 10-11 o'clock or 1-2 o'clock) angle... a common mistake is to install them "straight-up"...
Maybe have someone follow you to the car wsh with a floor jack and blast about 5 bucks of quarters on everything (wear throwaway clothes and saftey goggles, I'm serious...)
Follow a good manual with pics for the axle seal procedure and be sure the drum()rear axle nut) gets tightend to the right spec.... about 250 ft lbs.... with a big cheater bar or an impact wrench if you have acces to one and air compressor..... good luck.... have fun!