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Question: Found a little oil on inside of left rear tire,what can cause this?

Joined
Apr 8, 2008
Messages
14
Location
Sweetwater, TN.
Corvette
1976 White Stingray
I've noticed a little oil coming down on the inside of the left rear tire,(1976 Vette) does this indicate a bearing or seal problem? Read alot about trailing arms on this forum, could this be an area to suspect? Anyone know of a good C3 Corvette mechanic or garage in East Tennessee.

Thanks for any replies or suggestions.

Ron
 
Most probably it's brake fluid, best inspect very carefully to be sure. There's no 'oil' anywhere near the rear wheels.

I agree, that's where the brake fluid leaked on mine when the calpier started to leak.
 
I agree. Unless you have some neighbors who like to pull pranks this could ONLY be brake fluid. Check your lines and calipers. Something must be leaking. If you have original calipers it may be time for a new set.
 
I'd vote for brake fluid.
It has the same consistency as oil, but if it is the same color then you're long overdue for a flush.

Could be as simple as a loose line.
Next simplest is a bad hose.

I seem to recall the 0-rings in the caliper go bad, so I'd suspect that.

Probably time for a rebuild/replacement all around with SS sleeved lines.
 
I agree as well most likley BF. If you have a motive bleeder install it on the rear section on the M/C and pump it up to 10-12 psi. Watch the gauge if it creeps down you have a leak in the rear system, and most likely at the caliper pistons.
The original and many of the aftermarket SS lined calipers use lip seals which really are fine as long as you maintain the system. That means bleeding the system after storing the car for 3+ months, checking the bearing endplay and if over 003, maybe 0035" rebuilding them, checking rotor runout and getting it under 003". That's all you need to have a solid, sealed brake system, Fancy rotors,calipers,pads,lines are not needed for street driven cars.
If your brake system hasn't been worked on in a few years and you have a caliper leaking then I would plan on going over the system, replacing all the rubber hoses and checking like I said.
The rear trailing arms have seals at both ends of the spindle. If they have been rebuilt it's possible that too much grease was uses, cheaper seals used, or poor assembly procedures used. The grease could then weep out, usually shows up in the parking brake area under the rotor. If you still have the rivets in the rotors chances are very high they've never been touched, although there are a few places that will re-rivet them but that is not necessary.
Good luck.
 
I've noticed a little oil coming down on the inside of the left rear tire,(1976 Vette) does this indicate a bearing or seal problem? Read alot about trailing arms on this forum, could this be an area to suspect? Anyone know of a good C3 Corvette mechanic or garage in East Tennessee.

Thanks for any replies or suggestions.

Ron

Cooper's Corvette Center - Knoxville. (865)687-8303
Ronnie and Byron can take care of ya...

They manage "Corvette Expo" and the ROd run up in Sevierville.....

They fixed a lot of stuff I "F-up" back in the 80's:boogie

STW
Andy
 

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