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Silly question--too cold to really get into it, but I noticed some black oil under the right wheel hub. Doesn't appear to be grease, but I suppose it must be?!?
Is this leaking from the hub or the u-joint--what do you think? Thought it was the hub, but now I;m thinking its a U-joint replacement...
My guess is that someone shot oil up on the U-joint to see if that would eliminate a 'noise' they heard in the back end of the car. Do you take it to an oil change place? Since those joints don't have Zerk fittings, maybe some yayhoo thought shooting oil on the outside of a U-joint would suffice...
I've owned the car for about three years...never had anyone else touch it in that time. Did notice a "rubbing" type sound this spring/summer...Just noticed the leak (oil on the floor) for the first time about a month ago.
Assumed it was just the rear (didn't really look prior to today)--was thinking I'd need to re-seal/rebuild the rear int he spring. decided today to get under and take a loo k(Merry Christmas), and that is what I found. Didn't think it was grease (too liquid as mentioned), but cannot imagine what it is/was that is leaking... it is really only on the UJoint...seems very odd to me!
like I said had my camaro for over twenty years, and I had never seen a Ujoint leak, which is why I posted...
Could be gasoline, if a rubber hose from the fuel tank is craked/leaking. But, it will smell like gas (easy to detect). Get your nose down around that area; if you don't smell gas....it isn't.
P.S. If it is gas, there is a simple procedure to changing out that hose without dumping a bunch of fuel on the concrete or having to drain the tank. Ask if you need it; or send me a PM with that request.
That upper shock bolt (and shock) looks brand new. It doesn't even have any dust on it. If you have had it for 3 years you must know it was recently replaced. I thought someone had just sprayed PB Blaster or something on the upper mount and hit the u-joint. Or is the shock cracked and leaking/spraying fluid? It could also be a brake line leak. In the pic there also seems to be something leaking further forward on the frame. As 7T1vette said, if it's gasoline, your going to smell it....
Last edited by CanadaGrant; Dec 25, 2016 at 12:38 AM.
What has my curiosity up is WHY is your frame in the back ground looking wet?
It can not be your differential. The differential fluid would never make it to that area. The dust shield on the side yoke would cause it to stay confined.
Unless it is fluid from the new shock is actually leaking and blowing back on it...but that is a 'stretch' also.
As DUB pointed out the area around the brake line/fitting on the frame appears wet with something as well. I would examine the liquid/residue and try to determine if it is brake fluid from a pin hole in a line or a bad fitting or possible oil from a leaking shock.
To check for a brake fluid leak you can have someone watch as you apply the brakes and see if it is shooting fluid around any of the fittings. Brake fluid also has a pretty distinctive smell.
Check the shock over carefully and see if it may be leaking any of it's oil.
Since the top bearing cap looks pretty dry, what does the other side of the u joint (180) look like? What does this fluid smell like? Smell alone would tell you where to "Start" looking.
You should be able to get wrenches on the fitting and tighten it up, may not have been tightened enough originally. That looks like a compression union, no flare.
Hi Keith,
Your information and profile don't indicate what year car you're working on.
If you're car's tank has the sending unit in the bottom of the tank and you end up needing to replace part of the hard line you can crimp the rubber hose that runs from the sender to the hard line.
This will allow you to do the repair without draining the tank.
There were no unions used on the fuel line originally so what you're seeing is part of a previous repair.
Regards,
Alan
This photo is of a 71 so it has a 'return' line too. Depending on the year of your car it may be hidden in your photo, have not had a return line, or it's been removed.
Glad you found the problem and THAT explains why it is wet further up on your frame as I had mentioned.
Originally Posted by keithl1967
I OFTEN times get my a$$ handed to me when I comment on fuel lines being cut and joined together. "They" seem to always seem to think that just because the fuel supply line is NOT under pressure....there is NO major concern. WELL...this photo shows that it IS a concern. AND...this photo is a CLEAR reason why.
I only install the fuel lines as they were designed...and I DO NOT cut them and join them in any manner.
People can choose to do what they wish....But I can tell you that one day...a long time ago..I came into my shop and when I walked in... it smelled really bad of gas fumes. One of the Corvettes overnight began to LEAK A LOT of fuel at a BOZO repair in the fuel line that someone did.
SO when I see repairs like this....that were NOT ever 'supposed' to fail...and did....I just roll my eyes and shake my head.
It's a 1977...I'll have to get a fuel line on order...wish it could wait to spring--garage floor is frigid here in PA this time of year!! Don't want to leave it like that though, for the next three+ months!
maybe tighten her up or replace the union for now, then proper repair later...
thanks for all of th input guys...
Guess is till have to find out what the rubbing sound that comes from that wheel is, LOl!!
Last edited by keithl1967; Dec 26, 2016 at 08:27 PM.
coming from the drain hose from your filler neck. It all depends on where it has been routed to. 
What's leaking here?
