On vacation need help

[DenaliDrive]

Hi guys, haven't posted in awhile. I'm on vacation with the family, noticed the right rear wheel making a grinding noise. Oil is now seepin out through the center cap. Bad wheel hub? And can I drive with it. Thanks.

 

[strutaeng]

Rear axle seal? It's not brake fluid, is it?

No a common leak on these axle seals, but anything can fail over time and mileage. I would say keep driving, just be mindful that if the axle diff. is run dry, bad things would happen. Hopefully it's a small leak. You'd hear it if the gear oil is low too.

 

[DenaliDrive]

Rear axle seal? It's not brake fluid, is it?

No a common leak on these axle seals, but anything can fail over time and mileage. I would say keep driving, just be mindful that if the axle diff. is run dry, bad things would happen. Hopefully it's a small leak. You'd hear it if the gear oil is low too.

Thanks appreciate it

 

[Doubeleive]

sounds like axle bearing & seal, if it's not leaking terribly you are probably ok until you get home.
how far do you have go?

 

[DenaliDrive]

sounds like axle bearing & seal, if it's not leaking terribly you are probably ok until you get home.
how far do you have go?

Roughly a 4 hour drive. Thanks.

 

[OR VietVet]

If you are hearing it and seeing it, that leak is bad enough that you should get to a shop asap and have it checked and remove all doubt. If brakes are working correctly now, that does not mean they may still have a problem but that axle bearing could be the noise and causing the fluid leakage bad enough that you see it without removing the wheel.

 

[DenaliDrive]

If you are hearing it and seeing it, that leak is bad enough that you should get to a shop asap and have it checked and remove all doubt. If brakes are working correctly now, that does not mean they may still have a problem but that axle bearing could be the noise and causing the fluid leakage bad enough that you see it without removing the wheel.

Thanks, I'm going to call a local dealer.

 

[Doubeleive]

4 hours is likely fine, axle bearing is not a emergency unless it starts really howling or something then it's just annoying more than anything. your braking distance may increase if grease has slopped onto the pads but that's about it. the grease just makes a mess that will have to be cleaned up after repair.

 

[Doubeleive]

have pictures? is the grease visible on the rim?

 

[DenaliDrive]

4 hours is likely fine, axle bearing is not a emergency unless it starts really howling or something then it's just annoying more than anything. your braking distance may increase if grease has slopped onto the pads but that's about it. the grease just makes a mess that will have to be cleaned up after repair.

Ok thanks

 

[DenaliDrive]

have pictures? is the grease visible on the rim?

 

[Doubeleive]

looks pretty typical, I wouldn't sweat it too hard just keep an eye on it and have it fixed when you get home.
the rear differential has to be pulled, brake has to come off and axle pulled out to replace the bearing and seal so basically a lot of labor for a $20 part

 

[DenaliDrive]

looks pretty typical, I wouldn't sweat it too hard just keep an eye on it and have it fixed when you get home.
the rear differential has to be pulled, brake has to come off and axle pulled out to replace the bearing and seal so basically a lot of labor for a $20 part

Going to limp it home. All the local shops are booked up and no rentals anywhere. What would be the cost roughly for a repair like that, CAD dollars.

Appreciate the quick replies.

 

[Doubeleive]

Going to limp it home. All the local shops are booked up and no rentals anywhere. What would be the cost roughly for a repair like that, CAD dollars.

Appreciate the quick replies.

really depends you might find estimates anywhere from $650-1200 USD again reason being mostly labor
you could diy for probably under $200 USD, you would need dif gasket/seal, rear diff gear oil, rear wheel axle bearing, axle seal.

 

[89Suburban]

I don't understand how that leak is coming out of the hub cap?? Typically any leaks show on the back side of the wheel/rotor/axle housing.

 

[DenaliDrive]

I don't understand how that leak is coming out of the hub cap?? Typically any leaks show on the back side of the wheel/rotor/axle housing.

 

[Doubeleive]

I don't understand how that leak is coming out of the hub cap?? Typically any leaks show on the back side of the wheel/rotor/axle housing.

axle seal is leaking and bearing is making noise. most likely the bearing wore out and this causes the seal to leak. pretty common to happen like that. If it wasn't making any noise then it could just be a bad seal. either way the axle has to come out to fix it.

 

[Doubeleive]

when the wheel is removed there will be more grease behind it around the axle hub, sometimes you will see the grease splattered around the splash guard, wheel is spinning so it's getting spit out like a sprinkler in a circle

 

[PatDTN]

really depends you might find estimates anywhere from $650-1200 USD again reason being mostly labor
you could diy for probably under $200 USD, you would need dif gasket/seal, rear diff gear oil, rear wheel axle bearing, axle seal.

The rear ABS tone ring complicates pulling the bearing and putting it back together. Also when the bearing fails it *can* but doesn't always take out the bearing area of the axle. Once upon a time you could get something called a green bearing that offsets the spot it hits the axle but I believe the ABS negates that option.

If possible while on vacation you should limit driving to mediate the possibility of axle damage.

Good luck!