It looks as if I have axel grease all over my passenger side rear breaks and break drum. The driver side is fine. I replaced the rear drums and cylinders a month or so ago. I have taken to the track once also. Did I break something? I had not noticed anything until I took off the wheels to see what size the backspacing was. Thought I would check out my brake job and wham!! what looks like axel grease all over the hub and break shoes. So what do I need to do now!? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Perry

You have an axle seal leaking. Not too big of a job. You will need to pull the axle and replace the seal. Now is also a good time to look at the bearings and the axle itsself for wear/damage.

Thanks dennis68 finished pulling the axle a little bit ago and will go get new seal tomorrow. What is the circular spring that came out when I took the seal out? Should I get a new one or use it? Not sure how it goes in though?

that circular spring is part of the seal, its what keeps tension on the seal lip. just get a new seal and you're good to go.

Just throw that spring away, how does the axle look, no grooves around it that you can catch a fingernail on I hope? Also make sure the axle doesn't have any pitting in the metal where the bearing rides.

good thing you noticed now, if you would have waited or discovered this after many miles of driving...You would have to replace all of the brake shoes again.

That stuff gets thrown around with centrifical force and then soaks into the brake linings ruining them.

Make sure you look at the shoes to see that they havent been soaked by the gear lube.

Chris.

Thanks for the help everyone. Got the seal today and will put it in tonight or tomorrow. The axel does not seem to have any problems and yes there was gear lube all over the shoes. I cleaned them off with brake cleaner and hopefully they will be o.k.

replace the shoes and clean the drum. linings will not clean completely.

Exactly, they soak that stuff up like a sponge.

Chris.