rear brake leaking?

[Opi]

noticed my brake fluid was low, had my rims off to paint them, saw some fluid on the inside of the rim, traced it to the rear passenger side drum, took the cover off the drum and saw fluid inside like something is leaking yet the lines were all dry. wtf is it?

 

[Nates_NW4Runner]

How does it smell?

It is possible that you've had an axle seal go bad on you?
Smell the fluid... if it smells like skunk pi$$, it's your axle seal.

 

[Nates_NW4Runner]

oh...durrr

But that wouldn't explain the low brake fluid! :rockthrow:
Could be the brake cylinder... try to pinpoint where the fluid is coming from. Maybe take a pic and post it here so all of our educated friends can chime in as well.

 

[Mr. Leary]

Most likely the brake cylinder. Just went through one myself about a month ago. You will have to replace both of them, 'cuz if you replace just one it tends to blow the other one in short order. Depending on the mileage on your truck, it may be time to just rebuild the drums while you are in there, since the rebuild kits don't cost that much more then just the wheel cylinder.

While you are in there you will want to check the axle seals and wheel bearings, although you would smell it if you had a problem there...

Best of luck!

Leary

 

[silverghost]

I agree, I suspect the wheel/brake cylinder also. Replace is with a new one and bleed the brakes.

 

[Opi]

Most likely the brake cylinder. Just went through one myself about a month ago. You will have to replace both of them, 'cuz if you replace just one it tends to blow the other one in short order. Depending on the mileage on your truck, it may be time to just rebuild the drums while you are in there, since the rebuild kits don't cost that much more then just the wheel cylinder.

While you are in there you will want to check the axle seals and wheel bearings, although you would smell it if you had a problem there...

Best of luck!

Leary

thats what the (tractor trailer) mechanic at my job had said, about being the wheel cylinder. i have 194k on it.

 

[BrianSD_42]

rear axel seals going bad is practically a right of passage around here. I would make sure it isn't that before spending cash on new brakes.

 

[Mr. Leary]

rear axel seals going bad is practically a right of passage around here. I would make sure it isn't that before spending cash on new brakes.

Gear oil has a particular smell to it. If you blew a seal, you would be able to smell it. Its also pretty thick, so if the seal blew, it would be spun all around the inside of the wheel and tire. Brake fluid can do this as well, but doesn't tend to stay there very long since it is so light.