Break fluid leak in rear drum

[pvienneau]

Hello all, pulled the rear drums to paint and on drivers side looks like lots of black fluid leaking onto drum. Is this proof positive of a brake fluid leak?

[DransportGarage]

Originally Posted by pvienneau

Hello all, pulled the rear drums to paint and on drivers side looks like lots of black fluid leaking onto drum. Is this proof positive of a brake fluid leak?

If it's sticky black fluid it will be a bad axle seal. Post a pic.

[nvrdone]

check the master cylinder fluid level. If it's low, chances are there is a leak in the brake system somewhere

[MARTINSR]

The master cylinder doesn't have to be low for a wheel cyl to be leaking, just a teaspoon makes a heck of a mess on the backing plate.

I just did the brakes on my family mini van and had one leaking, it's not a big deal to change it out. And even on these old trucks it's amazing how much a REAL parts store will have in stock. Not a "McParts" store like Auto Zone or Grand Auto understand, I am talking the REAL parts store that services the shops in your area.

If you pull the boots back on the wheel cyl you can see if there is any fluid in there, if there is ANY, it's leaking.

Brian

[tmoble]

What Brian said. it's easy to peel the boot back to see if it's leaking. It's a dust boot, doesn't affect the hydraulic system.

Hi Brian, long time no see. I'm Tom Mobley from over at the Chevelles forum. Hope you and yours are well.

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by tmoble

What Brian said. it's easy to peel the boot back to see if it's leaking. It's a dust boot, doesn't affect the hydraulic system.

Hi Brian, long time no see. I'm Tom Mobley from over at the Chevelles forum. Hope you and yours are well.

Yes sir Tom, I thought I recognized something about that handle of yours. We are all doing well thank you, and you? You have a truck too?

Brian

[tmoble]

yes, I've had a 57 SS BBW since '83. I built a nice engine for it back in 85, installed a TH400 and a Camaro rear. drove it from OR to AZ right after the new engine went in. in 93 we stubbed it with a Camaro subframe, used the 12:1 steering box and 1.25" front bar. It was a total revolution for the truck. PS and DB. Last year that same buddy helped me install an 88 Vette rear axle assembly, revolutionized the truck again. Drives about like Vette now. After all these decades I finally raided enough money, bought 4 re-pop fender and tailgate, already had the lower cab corners. trying to get it ready for paint. I'd rather build a dozen engines than fix one dent so I'm casting about for buddies to help with the paint. I'm hoping the re-pop is at least reasonably close to fitting.

I want to Thank You for all your contributions to the rodding community over the years. Doesn't get said often enough or loud enough for somebody like you who made major contributions. I've seen guys asking to compile your posts into a book, have you ever thought seriously about that? We're not getting any younger.....

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by tmoble

yes, I've had a 57 SS BBW since '83. I built a nice engine for it back in 85, installed a TH400 and a Camaro rear. drove it from OR to AZ right after the new engine went in. in 93 we stubbed it with a Camaro subframe, used the 12:1 steering box and 1.25" front bar. It was a total revolution for the truck. PS and DB. Last year that same buddy helped me install an 88 Vette rear axle assembly, revolutionized the truck again. Drives about like Vette now. After all these decades I finally raided enough money, bought 4 re-pop fender and tailgate, already had the lower cab corners. trying to get it ready for paint. I'd rather build a dozen engines than fix one dent so I'm casting about for buddies to help with the paint. I'm hoping the re-pop is at least reasonably close to fitting.

I want to Thank You for all your contributions to the rodding community over the years. Doesn't get said often enough or loud enough for somebody like you who made major contributions. I've seen guys asking to compile your posts into a book, have you ever thought seriously about that? We're not getting any younger.....

Yeah I have gotten back to my truck (but it's now on the back burners again) Here's a thread on it's build. http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/1948...ar-233753.html

I thank you so much for your kind words. I have thought about a book but life comes along and it's pretty hard to pull off. I'll just keep posting what I can to help out the home hobbiest, that's where my passion is when it comes to that stuff. I rather post it then have it in drawer somewhere waiting to be published.

Thanks again!

Brian

[tmoble]

tried to post over on hotrodders, but it wanted me to register and then told me I didn't have the access to post. maybe somebody over there will activate my logon.

Lots of stuff in that thread. Your sense of proportion is right on. Too many of these trucks that get chopped end up looking like a pregnant whale. Bottom half too big for the top half, just doesn't look right. You skills and eye for proportion let you skate right by that pitfall. biggie props to you.

[tmoble]

looks like I'm participating in a classic thread jack. maybe somebody will turn me in to the mods.

[G&R's57GMC]

Ok bear with me here,
"BREAK fluid leak in rear drum" If its leaking there must be a BREAK in the seal. BUT if you were just taking a BREAK to tells about it thats another story.

I suspect you were referring to the BRAKE system , If it is leaking BRAKE fluid it would be a clear or light colored thin fluid . If by chance the Axle oil seal is also leaking and of course the BRAKE dust is present then the BRAKE fluid would run over that and pick up some darker color.

BTW BRAKE fluid is a great paint remover and if you have no other leaks the BRAKE fluid would pick up the color of the paint on the backing plate also.

That said, Let me take a BREAK for this "Break/Brake Pun" and say just peel back the dust boots and if its dry look at the axle oil seals.

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by tmoble

tried to post over on hotrodders, but it wanted me to register and then told me I didn't have the access to post. maybe somebody over there will activate my logon.

Lots of stuff in that thread. Your sense of proportion is right on. Too many of these trucks that get chopped end up looking like a pregnant whale. Bottom half too big for the top half, just doesn't look right. You skills and eye for proportion let you skate right by that pitfall. biggie props to you.

I don't know what the problem could be people register every day.

And thanks for the kind words, I appreciate it.

Brian

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

Ok bear with me here,
"BREAK fluid leak in rear drum" If its leaking there must be a BREAK in the seal. BUT if you were just taking a BREAK to tells about it thats another story.

I suspect you were referring to the BRAKE system , If it is leaking BRAKE fluid it would be a clear or light colored thin fluid . If by chance the Axle oil seal is also leaking and of course the BRAKE dust is present then the BRAKE fluid would run over that and pick up some darker color.

BTW BRAKE fluid is a great paint remover and if you have no other leaks the BRAKE fluid would pick up the color of the paint on the backing plate also.

That said, Let me take a BREAK for this "Break/Brake Pun" and say just peel back the dust boots and if its dry look at the axle oil seals.

Brake fluid is pretty much clear when it's in the bottle but when it's leaking out a wheel cylinder onto a backing plate and shoes and hardware covered brake dust it's going to look pretty much like a black fluid.

Brian

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by tmoble

looks like I'm participating in a classic thread jack. maybe somebody will turn me in to the mods.

Yes you are! I haven't been over to the Chevelles site is months, and usually just lurk and pay my money to preserve original gold status. I figured by now I'd have the truck and Chevelle done and be on to something else....

[pvienneau]

Thanks for all the replies. I will be checking under the rubber cap to see if it's BF or other fluid.

Pat

[OrrieG]

Fresh cat urine has sent me on more than one goose chase too....

[pvienneau]

Orrie, I do have cats that hang out in the garage but I'm thinking that black dripping stain on the hub might have been something else.

[tmoble]

obviously your cats aren't black so thay can't be the source of the black fluid in the brake drum. The dog, however is a dog of interest in this case.

[DransportGarage]

We needed a pic of the rear axle/brakes, not the cats.

[Highsider]

Your cats (and dog) are cool.