Black stuff on axle?

[anollmann]

Took my tires off a 2013 G29 today and noticed one side of the rear axle has black stuff all over it, the other side is clean. Are these the internal brakes?


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[CP241]

That looks to me like you have a little oil seeping out of that seal, and lightly coating the side of the case and everything over there. Then dirt sticks to the oil.

Clean it all off and check for leaks. You probably won't see anything but it's worth checking to be safe. Internal (wet) brakes don't create brake dust like you would see on your car.

[anollmann]

Yeah it definitely feels like oil. I did a quick search but couldn’t find anything about replacing them


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[LukeL]

It’s not easy! I have a thread on it but it very rarely needs to be messed with. I’d clean it up and watch it. Chances are it’s fine.


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[LukeL]

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/elect...rking-all.html


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[CP241]

There should be an axle seal where it goes into the housing. I've never replaced one on those myself but you usually have to pull the axle to replace the seal, not sure what all is involved with that on your model.

But if you haven't seen drips, it may be normal seepage. All seals leak some, it's the nature of having a rotating shaft against a piece of rubber. Some oil will always make its way out. If it took a few years to get like it is now, it will likely take a few more years before it looks like that again. A little oil against a spinning shaft sprays fine particles everywhere, and it doesn't take much oil to make a big mess!

I would clean it off; just spray it down good with brake cleaner and blow it off with compressed air. Then take it for a drive and check it out. Chances are it will be dry still. Just keep an eye on it and if it gets bad enough that it's actually leaking (you'll see drips) then worry about replacing the seal at that time.

[anollmann]

So put some new tires on (street tires, replacing off road tires) and now with the sound of the treads gone I can hear a nasty creaking sound coming from the rear :( - it shows up when I accelerate or brake, but not so much when coasting... does that sound like internal brakes? Thanks!

[smallblock450sl]

Change that axle bearing before it explodes!

[cgtech]

Originally Posted by CP241

There should be an axle seal where it goes into the housing. I've never replaced one on those myself but you usually have to pull the axle to replace the seal, not sure what all is involved with that on your model.

But if you haven't seen drips, it may be normal seepage. All seals leak some, it's the nature of having a rotating shaft against a piece of rubber. Some oil will always make its way out. If it took a few years to get like it is now, it will likely take a few more years before it looks like that again. A little oil against a spinning shaft sprays fine particles everywhere, and it doesn't take much oil to make a big mess!

I would clean it off; just spray it down good with brake cleaner and blow it off with compressed air. Then take it for a drive and check it out. Chances are it will be dry still. Just keep an eye on it and if it gets bad enough that it's actually leaking (you'll see drips) then worry about replacing the seal at that time.

I'm sorry, I don' t mean to be a jerk, but you apparently don't know about a Team axle. That's not at all how a "axle seal" gets done on those models. Seal replacement requires whole axle removal, and disassembly (split in half). It's not at all like a Dana where you just slip the axle shaft out, pry out the seal, and drive a new one in.

[anollmann]

So I pulled the tires back off and tightened up the axle nuts, both were very loose, and the noises went away. Apparently a very common issue on the Drive... what an easy fix to a scary noise