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Old Jan 7, 2009 | 11:33 PM
  #1  
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this is strange

i cannot figure this out. i noticed before xmas that i had some drips on my front inside tires on the bottom. while looking around under there i noticed that what it seems to be was that calipers were leaking.but here the wierd part. this only seems to happen when the temperature gets cold. and we were in the -18 to the -25 range for a bit. now wait it get wierder. since i have noticed this problem i have been checking the brake resovior, and i havent lost any fluid, it has been the same level, but have still seen leaking, and a drip that was ready to come of the bottom caliiper bolt. so i get the drip on my fingers and it didnt seem brake fluidy, so i smelled it thinking perhaps it might be front diff fluid and my seal might be gone. doesnt smell like gear oil.

so i cant figure out whats going on, brake fluid is always at the same level, doesnt smell like gear oil, and only "seems" to have any evidence ofleaking when it starts to get cold or is cold out. and both calipers seems to be doing this.

anybody have any ideas?
 
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Old Jan 8, 2009 | 12:26 AM
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how humid is it where you live, it might be condensation on the breaks?
 
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Old Jan 8, 2009 | 08:25 AM
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Is it on both tires or just one side of the vehicle? If just one side, which? If the drivers side could it be the power steering?
 
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Old Jan 8, 2009 | 09:54 AM
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That is pretty bizarre. I'd start by trying to identify what kind of fluid it is.

If its pinkish, and smells like tranny fluid, you'll know its coming from the PS pump.

There is no sign of any fluid drips anywhere above the brake caliper?

Whatever it is, it can't possibly be water or condensation...anything with water in it would freeze at the temperatures you are describing.
 
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Old Jan 8, 2009 | 03:25 PM
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Lisa it could be condesation. As the caliper gets hot from use or or hanging up slightly it heats the fluid, when he parks the truck the humidity would condense on the heated surface and form liquid that then would pick up road oils, dirt and anything else it comes into contact with as moves down due to gravity. I have seen it many times on several different vehicles but usually several conditions have to be right for it to happen.

If all fluids are full and all is working right I wouldn't worry about but notice what your driving habits and weather was like when you do notice it. I'll bet it is just water with alot of road crap in it.

Then again I could be and most often are full of crap but the above has been my experience(sp).
 
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Old Jan 8, 2009 | 04:30 PM
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I was going to say that Andrew and Dave are full of crap but I just re-read the original post and it clearly states that both sides are doing this. Which I missed and asked about. Duh!

By the way - Andrew and Dave...J/K lol Just goes to show how much I know!!
 
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Old Jan 8, 2009 | 05:19 PM
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could be axel seal's. that's my thinking?
 
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Old Jan 8, 2009 | 06:34 PM
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Originally Posted by 87 F-150 I6
how humid is it where you live, it might be condensation on the breaks?
this is what i was kinda thinking it might be as well, not sure about humidity in my area, never really pay attention to that, but thought i would check here first.

both sides are exactly the same, and it seems to come off the lower two bolts of the caliper, the mounting bolt and the slide pin bolt. and as of right now everything is dry as can be. you would think if any type of fluid is leaking it would still be wet looking.

thanks guys for easing my mind, and i think condensation is the ruling on this one!! oh one more thing, right now, i just checked the humitdity, and it is showing 92%

Originally Posted by leekingen
could be axel seal's. that's my thinking?
i dont think it was that seals i thought of that too. one drip that i saw i felt and smelled it and it didnt smell like gear oil
 
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Old Jan 8, 2009 | 11:06 PM
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92%, that is damn near raining, lol.
 
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Old Jan 9, 2009 | 07:48 PM
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Originally Posted by truckeemtnfords
92%, that is damn near raining, lol.

yeah no dout, except the rain is white stuff unfortunatly
 
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