Residue Front Wheels

[Chilow]

I noticed what appears to be oily residue on the inside barrel of both front wheels. I did my 100k maintenance yesterday which involved new brake pads, rotors, coolant, oil, greasing driveshaft and tire rotation.

The residue was not there yesterday when I put the tires back on. First things I checked were fluid levels: coolant, brake fluid and motor oil appeared fine with no signs of leaks or drop in level from what I could tell. I checked the calipers and brake lines as best as I could without removing the wheels and it all appeared dry. I was very careful when I removed the calipers and used zip ties to hang them up so I wouldn’t risk stretching any brake lines.

Has anybody experienced this? I don’t have time to remove the front wheels at this very moment, but I quickly got under the vehicle and couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary. The only oily substance I could see are the coating from the new rotors. I only cleaned the braking surface of the new rotors, not the internal. I wonder if there was enough oil coating from the inside of the new rotors to do this?

 

[chester4Run]

New brakes can shed a bit as the machining wears off the rotors. Semi-metallic pads also shed darker dust than ceramic pads. There is probably nothing wrong, but clean out your wheels and drive a bit after your rotors lose the machine marks and see if the problem persists.

 

[Chilow]

It doesn’t look like brake dust. It’s like oil stains all over the inside barrel of the front wheels. Also checked the CV boots and no signs of leaks from there.

Do you guys spray brake cleaner on the inside of new rotors or just the pad surfaces front and back? That’s the only part that looks oily. I attached a picture and highlighted the area in yellow.

 

[chester4Run]

It doesn’t look like brake dust. It’s like oil stains all over the inside barrel of the front wheels. Also checked the CV boots and no signs of leaks from there.

Do you guys spray brake cleaner on the inside of new rotors or just the pad surfaces front and back? That’s the only part that looks oily. I attached a picture and highlighted the area in yellow.

I don't usually clean the oil off new rotors at all. I let it wear or evaporate off. It seems unlikely you'd have a brake fluid leak at all four wheels, so if you're seeing the staining on all of them, I still think it's probably shedding/wear-in. To be clear, I'm talking about both the pads and rotors shedding, which is usually a mix of oil, metal, and pad material that sticks to the wheel. I clean it off with water and dish soap, then wax the wheel. The task pairs nicely with tire rotations and beer.

 

[apc9199]

Rotors are cast steel and are dipped in an anti-rust coating (thick oil/grease) to prevent rust while in transit and storage. The area that you highlighted tends to hold a lot of that coating. When the rotors get warm it melts and gets flung outward into the wheel hub. That probably what you're seeing...

 

[rightyouareken]

Rotors are cast steel and are dipped in an anti-rust coating (thick oil/grease) to prevent rust while in transit and storage. The area that you highlighted tends to hold a lot of that coating. When the rotors get warm it melts and gets flung outward into the wheel hub. That probably what you're seeing...

^ this

 

[Chilow]

That’s reassuring to hear! Thanks all!