Mystry oil at rear axle
 

I have a 81 300D and it was towed ,the operator hooked a j hook at the rear axle and pinched a line .I 'm sure it was not a brake line(it was about 3/8"in dia. )It looked like the parking brake cable. One line to each rear wheel.Fluid sprayed out and smelled like gear oil. After the chain was removed there was no sign of a leak.What was the line ? what was the fluid? Anything to worry about?

Could be a fuel line, could be a pressure line of the load level system, if your car is equipped with that feature.

You better check... If possible, post a pic of the damage.

Kind regards
Eberhard

It does not smell like fuel, More like gear oil,brown/gray in color.I don't know if the car is equipted with a leveler system. How can I tell? does it have a switch at the dash? Kevin

The load level system is automatic, there is no switch. You can recognise it if the shock absorbers have a fluid line to each other and you will find ball-like, black reservoirs at the floor close to the shocks.

It is also possible that the tow guy riped of the air-vent of the differential which looks like a black tower, about one inch high, on top of the differential.

Besides that there are only the brake lines in that area.

Kind regards
Eberhard

Thanx for your , help after looking good at the leak its coming from the boot at the differential at the wheel. It was leaking downward on to the parking brake cable. So, the fluid smelled like gear oil for a reason.Kevin

PITA..

Sounds like the wrecker owes you a boot change.

Yes, your right I had a garage look at it and said that the boot would have to be repositioned. That it was not torn,so lets see. Thanks for message. Kevin