Brake experts within please!
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 167
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From: Orlando, FL
Brake experts within please!
When driving, I hear a repetitive squeaking noise coming from the back. When I apply the brakes alittle, it goes higher pitched. Apply brakes more, it goes away. I looked underneath and the inside of the brake drum on one side is coated with dirt and grease (smells it too), other side is clean. Whats most likely the problem here? I'm clueless about drum brakes esp. on these vehicles. How hard is this to fix/replace?
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 70
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From: FL
If this oil & dirt can be seen from the inside (behind wheel), then I would say it is your rear axle seal leaking or your brake wheel cylinder.
If it is your rear axle seal, much more is involved. If it is your brake wheel cylinder, not as bad (IMO).
1st thing 1st, jack up the truck on effected wheel, take tire off, & take drum off. Look to see if it is coming from the axle or the cylinder. This might be difficult b/c the brake fluid can drip down & around the axle. The best way to tell the two apart is the thickness of the fluid. Brake fluid is lighter than the gear oil (also smell it, the two smell differently). If you have an assistant, you can have them press on the brakes (lightly) to see if it is the cylinder.
Just my 2 cents. Let us know what happens.
If it is your rear axle seal, much more is involved. If it is your brake wheel cylinder, not as bad (IMO).
1st thing 1st, jack up the truck on effected wheel, take tire off, & take drum off. Look to see if it is coming from the axle or the cylinder. This might be difficult b/c the brake fluid can drip down & around the axle. The best way to tell the two apart is the thickness of the fluid. Brake fluid is lighter than the gear oil (also smell it, the two smell differently). If you have an assistant, you can have them press on the brakes (lightly) to see if it is the cylinder.
Just my 2 cents. Let us know what happens.
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 74
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From: Charlotte, NC
I have to agree with troybowman. Its going to be an axle seal or the cylinder. If its the axle seal you have to pull the axle and the whole brake assembly. If it turns out to be the seal might want to do both sides and replace the bearings while you have the axles out.
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Westminster
The brake shoes will obsorb the oil and will have to be replaced after you find the leak and repair it. If you do pull the axle be sure to inpect it for wear. The axle should not have any grooves in it and if so it will need to be replaced. Junk yards sell them for 100 bucks or less per side. Pulling the axles is a different proceedure depending on what rear you have.
