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  #1  
Old 12-01-2010, 05:22 PM
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Rear of car oily leak

I have an oily substance coming from the rear driver side wheel area. I have not lost any brake fluid Caliper looks good.

Does not smell like diesel and looks to be coming from inside the shock area, inside the rear spring.

Are shocks oil filled?

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  #2  
Old 12-01-2010, 05:27 PM
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I believe the shocks have fluid in them. whether it's oil or not I dont know
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  #3  
Old 12-01-2010, 05:33 PM
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Very well could be a leaky shock. There are some that are oil filled...
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  #4  
Old 12-01-2010, 07:19 PM
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I forgot to mention, if it is relevant, that the oil is clear in color. It has cover the CV boots.

CVs boots have a black grease in them?
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  #5  
Old 12-01-2010, 08:21 PM
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Find the source

Could be dripping from nearer the front and catching further back as you drive.

On that side of the car is the brake MC. Loosing brake fluid?
Also the power steering pump, lines, etc. Loosing power steering fluid?
Get the idea? If you're loosing fluid, it should show up as a lower level in a reservoir some where. Or maybe you hit an oil slick and threw it up. Clean the area and monitor everything closely. If it's a shock, the car will sag and not handle correctly.
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  #6  
Old 12-01-2010, 08:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by toddyvol View Post
I forgot to mention, if it is relevant, that the oil is clear in color. It has cover the CV boots.

CVs boots have a black grease in them?
The CV grease is black and thick, but if it's leaking out and mixing with water, it could look clear and oily I would think. People do also put gear oil in the boots sometimes. Any sign of boot damage? I'd double check the brake lines to see if there's a leak upwind that's maybe dripping onto something and getting flung ... or the bleed valve ... I left one of those slightly cracked once and oh man ...
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  #7  
Old 12-01-2010, 09:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Cr from Texas View Post
Could be dripping from nearer the front and catching further back as you drive.

On that side of the car is the brake MC. Loosing brake fluid?
Also the power steering pump, lines, etc. Loosing power steering fluid?
Get the idea? If you're loosing fluid, it should show up as a lower level in a reservoir some where. Or maybe you hit an oil slick and threw it up. Clean the area and monitor everything closely. If it's a shock, the car will sag and not handle correctly.

When I first saw the puddle, my first thought was the rear caliper or brake line. I popped the hood to see how low the MC was. It was still completely full. Power steering seems okay.

The bad part is my garage door is messed up and I can't open it with fear of it collapsing. So my car has to be parked outside in the cold. That's where I'll have to work on my car unless I get the garage door fixed soon.
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  #8  
Old 12-01-2010, 10:45 PM
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verify BOTH sides of the reservoir are full, it's hard to see the rear reservoir from the driver's side of the car.
the CV boots are filled with gear oil from the factory until 1987 I think.
but it would not be a clear oil, it would be a darker gear oil.
many shocks are indeed full of 30 weight oil. some lower. brake fluid would likely be dark color unless you have flushed yours recently. it should be clear though!!!
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  #9  
Old 12-02-2010, 12:09 AM
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Originally Posted by vstech View Post
verify BOTH sides of the reservoir are full, it's hard to see the rear reservoir from the driver's side of the car.
the CV boots are filled with gear oil from the factory until 1987 I think.
but it would not be a clear oil, it would be a darker gear oil.
many shocks are indeed full of 30 weight oil. some lower. brake fluid would likely be dark color unless you have flushed yours recently. it should be clear though!!!
Yeah I was fooled by the back half of the reservoir last time I did a flush ... couldn't understand why air kept coming out the bleeder ... well the rear reservoir was empty. I think brake fluid looks pretty clear even when dirty ... when I bled my 78 is hadn't been done in years and even though I saw dirt in the bleed tube, if I got it on my hands, it still looked clear.
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  #10  
Old 12-02-2010, 12:10 AM
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It's possible a shock is leaking. However, the factory fills the CV joints with oil, so if one of your outer CV boots is soaked, it's probably leaking from there.

Happy Motoring, Mark
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  #11  
Old 12-02-2010, 03:08 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark DiSilvestro View Post
It's possible a shock is leaking. However, the factory fills the CV joints with oil, so if one of your outer CV boots is soaked, it's probably leaking from there.

Happy Motoring, Mark
X2

Take a look at your CV boots first - I'm guessing this is most likely the culprit.

If it is the CV boot I'd recommend fixing it before driving any further as the general opinion on this forum is to reboot your original axles instead of buying a cheapo replacement:- so it is best to save what you have.
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  #12  
Old 12-02-2010, 11:53 AM
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I'd think that it could be a recently rebooted cv joint with a defective clip. Clear oil comes from recently worked on things.
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  #13  
Old 12-02-2010, 12:11 PM
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Yes the shocks are indeed oil filled. When they get old and start to leak, they give a very visible trail, nice easy evidence of their failure. You'll see a little drip of oil that has run down the length of the shock body, and all manner of dirt and dust has stuck to the trail. If you don't see that, the shock is likely not the source of your leak.
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  #14  
Old 12-03-2010, 12:49 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by toddyvol View Post
When I first saw the puddle, my first thought was the rear caliper or brake line. I popped the hood to see how low the MC was. It was still completely full. Power steering seems okay.

The bad part is my garage door is messed up and I can't open it with fear of it collapsing. So my car has to be parked outside in the cold. That's where I'll have to work on my car unless I get the garage door fixed soon.
I replaced my garage door last month. If you buy the right type and meet the requirements it's eligible for the 30% tax credit. Must be installed by 12/31/10.

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