Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Grease/Oil on front driver side rim

I noticed a lot of grease/oil in my front driver side rim this week. Thought it was a CV boot leak. Took it to canadian tire for inspection (after inspecting it myself and seeing nothing wrong).
They say it is an axle seal leak.

The axle seal has been damp for the last 2 years (78,000km). Every time i have taken it in for an oil change they tell me it is damp, but no action is required.

Canadian tire do not fix most things related to the transmission. they have told me to take it to a transmission shop.

Nothing is open for the next 2 days and I'm wondering:
1 - how safe is it to drive?
2 - how much is this repair going to cost?
3 - what exactly is the axle seal, and why is it leaking?
4 - what will have to be replaced/repaired?

Thanx in advance for any insight.

First identify the oil, Is it ATF, break fluid, engine oil, or something else. Wipe it with a with a rag, smell it even taste it if you have to.

Just a note, I was rotating my tires today and notice the left rear was coated with oil. After investigating, I found that the strut was the source. So check your strut for leaks also,

jeff

Car info pls.

If grease, faulty CV joint boot, as you initially suspected, would be the norm. If oil, hard to see how it would migrate from transaxle output shaft seal all the way to rim without leaving a trail down the drive axle.

Check tranny fluid level for sure, but fluid identification would be helpful.

Seal can be replaced by removing the drive axle, does not require internal tranny work. My guess, 2-3 hrs plus parts.

Mine is the same way, grease builds up in one spot inside the Front Left (driver's side) wheel. I've got a replacement tie rod end with a grease fitting on it, and it's constantly puking grease, so that's what I'm attributing it to. I've closely inspected my CV boot and found nothing wrong with it. One other thing to check...

Scott

Car info (as requested by horseydug)
98 contour
178,000km
bought it in may 2001 (at 94,000km)
Had FORD perform all outstanding recalls (6 in total!)
have replaced front brakes (rotors and pads)
have replaced back brakes (droms and pads)
And both the front and rear brakes feel like they need to be replaced again!
the shocks are starting to go front and back

What Canadian Tire said after inspection:
"The vehicle requires a right side outer tie rod, and a left side stab kit. We recomend the right side be changed at the same time (stab kit i guess). An alignment will be required with the above work. The left front axle seal is also leaking. Recomend Mister Transmission for repairs."

could the above "stab kit" be the problem?
and is this "stab kit" the stabilizer bar or links?

as for whether it is grease or oil..... I'm not sure how to tell the diff. There is a black build up on the rim, and a sticky build up on the outside of the tire.

I would have had CT fix the recomended tie rod end and stab kits, but they could not get the parts in time (i'm in Waterloo this weekend and I have to go back to Toronto tonight) and they could not find a $ for one of the parts.
Also, one of the parts they located was in Toronto.

Not sure if I should get the above fixed first and then take it to MR. Trans?
OR
If I should take it to MR. Trans. first and then have the others fixed?

Thanx in advance again.

I'd be inclined to get 2nd opinion from shop that could do both axle seal and front end work, i.e. a Ford dealer.

UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!

Turns out that the Grease/oil on the rim was Transmission fluid. There is a Transmission fliud cooling line that runs behind the Drivers side front tire, and the line was leaking around the clamp that holds the line in place.
It wasn't an expensive part, but I had to have a front outer tie rod replaced as well as both sabilized links so it turned out to be more money then I thought.

total about $600.00 CAN (over half of which was Labour, gotta love the FORD dealerships!)