leaking brakes

[RobD]

I have just noticed a fine spray of what looks like brake fluid on the inside of my alloys (all 4 but back ones are worst)the back wheels also have a black residue on the outside.Is it possible the brake pipes have corroded or burst (the brake reservoir is still just below the upper level)?

[TonyN]

Find it hard to believe all four are leaking at the same time! especially on a newer car like yours, does the rear have have discs? the black stuff will be pad dust if so. You definatly won't burst 4 hoses at the same time, and its virtually impossible that all the seals will have gone at the same time. the only thing is if the hoses have been perished for a while, going one after the other, but on one noticed, but brakes would have suffered as the first one split. Has anyone done any brake work lately, some garage chimps clamp the hoses with mole grips when removing the calipers/pistons, and could have damaged them all at once

Hows the pedal feel, if anything is leaking it won't hold the same position under heavy foot pressure.

Not been cleaning the wheels lately? cleaner on the inside of the rims?

Take a wheel off and get someone to stomp on the brakes, see if you can see anything weird happeneing.

[RobD]

Find it hard to believe all four are leaking at the same time! especially on a newer car like yours, does the rear have have discs? the black stuff will be pad dust if so. You definatly won't burst 4 hoses at the same time, and its virtually impossible that all the seals will have gone at the same time. the only thing is if the hoses have been perished for a while, going one after the other, but on one noticed, but brakes would have suffered as the first one split. Has anyone done any brake work lately, some garage chimps clamp the hoses with mole grips when removing the calipers/pistons, and could have damaged them all at once

Hows the pedal feel, if anything is leaking it won't hold the same position under heavy foot pressure.

Not been cleaning the wheels lately? cleaner on the inside of the rims?

Take a wheel off and get someone to stomp on the brakes, see if you can see anything weird happeneing.

Tony,Shoes on the rear,no work has been done on the brakes since I bought it (still under warranty),the pedal feels fine,but brakes grab violently when stopping at low speeds(on some occasions,not all of the time),I clean the wheels every week,I noticed it more today because of the black deposit on the rims,then noticed the fine spray inside.The Surf is booked in on Monday at St Marys,Kirkcudbright(where I bought it)they are going to sort it out under warranty.

[kiwi-jim]

Tony,Shoes on the rear,no work has been done on the brakes since I bought it (still under warranty),the pedal feels fine,but brakes grab violently when stopping at low speeds(on some occasions,not all of the time),I clean the wheels every week,I noticed it more today because of the black deposit on the rims,then noticed the fine spray inside.The Surf is booked in on Monday at St Marys,Kirkcudbright(where I bought it)they are going to sort it out under warranty.

a known problem with these vehicles is for the axle oil seals to fail and leak oil onto the rear brakes causing low speed lock up. remove the drums and have a look to see if the rear brakes have been contaminated with oil.
seems quite a common problem in the US with some having the seals replaced repeatedly. also check for blocked diff breather.

[RobD]

a known problem with these vehicles is for the axle oil seals to fail and leak oil onto the rear brakes causing low speed lock up. remove the drums and have a look to see if the rear brakes have been contaminated with oil.
seems quite a common problem in the US with some having the seals replaced repeatedly. also check for blocked diff breather.

The brakes have been checked,no leaks or oil contamination was spotted by the mechanic.Would the oil be visible on the wheels if there was a problem with the axle oil seals?

[TonyN]

The brakes have been checked,no leaks or oil contamination was spotted by the mechanic.Would the oil be visible on the wheels if there was a problem with the axle oil seals?

On the rear yes, blocked breathers a classic for this, but not on the front.

[rich]

Probably worth thoroughly cleaning all of the wheels and monitoring what happens. It may just have been something that you ran over (like Diesel) or the local cat fraternity has taken a liking to scenting your wheels!

Theorising here - sticking or excessive use of the brakes making the wheel bearing grease melting with the heat from the summer not now! (Specially if it's the wrong grease) Have you got some big hills that you hold the brakes on alot rather than shifting into 2nd or 1st?

[RobD]

Rich

don't know if this is significant,I have a steep driveway would this have anything to do with it?

TonyN
where abouts on the diff are the breathers?( ) and how would I unblock them if need be ( )

[rich]

Rich

don't know if this is significant,I have a steep driveway would this have anything to do with it?

Now if Tony had written this I would think he was being sarcastic!

No don't think it would be a problem unless your drive is 1/4 mile long

[TonyN]

Rich

don't know if this is significant,I have a steep driveway would this have anything to do with it?

TonyN
where abouts on the diff are the breathers?( ) and how would I unblock them if need be ( )

they are little caps on the top of the diff, with rubber seals on a spring that in theory seals them up normally, and pressure in the diff will open them.

[RobD]

they are little caps on the top of the diff, with rubber seals on a spring that in theory seals them up normally, and pressure in the diff will open them.

Thanks both Rich and Tony
1 final question,how long would it take to replace the seals?

[TonyN]

Thanks both Rich and Tony
1 final question,how long would it take to replace the seals?

They are only small rubber discs, if you can get them out, like tap washers, I'd see if those would fit, if its worn a ring around the rubber, just turn it over, as long as it hasn't gone hard.

They are all one piece really, with the lip crimped on, but you can pull them off and bend them shut again. Just pull the breather, then make sure it works properly by blowing from the threaded end, you should be able to blow, and then it should close again.

[kiwi-jim]

Thanks both Rich and Tony
1 final question,how long would it take to replace the seals?

its probably better to replace them with extended breathers( a length of plastic pipe) for driving through water anyway.

[RobD]

its probably better to replace them with extended breathers( a length of plastic pipe) for driving through water anyway.

Cheers Jim,I take it no actual seals on the axle need to be replaced,just the breathers?

[RobD]

I was dissappointed the dealer from which I bought this vehicle didn't pick up on this prob when it was in having the brakes checked,the wheels were covered in oil,they insisted it was something I had driven through????