Grease all over interior of wheel...is it bad??

[bombguy]

So I was changing my oil about a half hour ago and I noticed that the front passenger side wheel and brake components are covered in black grease. The CV boot looks good and it is secure.

Problem is I'm going on a road trip tomorrow from my home (Utah) to my original home in Washington State. So do I have a big problem or is it something that can wait til Sunday after the drive?

 

[Kirby]

Are you sure it is grease? Is it on any part of the suspension (strut, etc.)? Could it be brake fluid that is saturated with dirt? Tough call - if the CV boot is OK, it should not be wheel bearing grease. I guess I would be more concerned about a brake fluid leak.

 

[bombguy]

It is a ripped CV boot. Do any of you think it warrants getting it fixed immediately or can it wait til I get to Washington?

 

[epj3]

I don't know how much damage would happen (if any - mostly worried about water and crap getting in there.) But unless the CV joint is replaceable by itself, most likely it will be VERY costly to replace a CV joint, versus the hundred bucks it might take to get the boot taken care of right away.

 

[Kirby]

If it has been like that for more than a few days, the grease is probably contaminated with dirt, which will shorten the life of the joint. I would go ahead and drive it, but get it fixed ASAP. They should completely clean the joint, inspect it, and repack it with fresh grease. Just repairing the boot may lead to early joint failure if it is contaminated.

 

[bombguy]

I just want to let everyone know that replacing a $37 dollar part on your axle shaft is not fun! Twice!!!

Well, needless to say I got the boot changed out this weekend and there was luckily no CV joint damage. After the install of the first one and consequently thinking everything was fine, I had to check on the other front boot...and good thing I did, the drivers side was ripped in half too!! Much to my dismay, I drove to Fife BMW in Tacoma WA, and drove all the way back to the Washington coast within a 2 day period...not fun considering I drove 12 hours to get where I was in the first place. Well long story short we replaced that boot also and everything is back to working order.

There was no damage to either joint...thank god!!! A new axle shaft would be $365 a piece.

Only bad thing now is that the auto level sensors linkage is in upside down and the lights are aimed at the ground...I didn't *** this thing up did I?

Anyway, if anyone ever needs front driveshaft info on the Xi's....I now have extensive knowledge to pass on!!!

 

[bombguy]

Got the linkage on the auto-leveling sensor switched the right way. The lights are now back to normal!!

 

[epj3]

I just want to let everyone know that replacing a $37 dollar part on your axle shaft is not fun! Twice!!!

Well, needless to say I got the boot changed out this weekend and there was luckily no CV joint damage. After the install of the first one and consequently thinking everything was fine, I had to check on the other front boot...and good thing I did, the drivers side was ripped in half too!! Much to my dismay, I drove to Fife BMW in Tacoma WA, and drove all the way back to the Washington coast within a 2 day period...not fun considering I drove 12 hours to get where I was in the first place. Well long story short we replaced that boot also and everything is back to working order.

There was no damage to either joint...thank god!!! A new axle shaft would be $365 a piece.

Only bad thing now is that the auto level sensors linkage is in upside down and the lights are aimed at the ground...I didn't *** this thing up did I?

Anyway, if anyone ever needs front driveshaft info on the Xi's....I now have extensive knowledge to pass on!!!

But hey, for $365 you get BOTH boots, too!