Grease In Rear Brake Drum

[mperkins40]

While changing my rear drum brakes for the first time I noticed a large amount of grease in the drum and around the shoes. It was only in the right rear drum.



Did I blow a seal somewhere? I have no other symptoms of any wear or noise.



If it is a seal should this be a dealer repair and how much?



Sorry for all of the questions.



Mike

 

[Skydiver]

First we would like to welcome you to the world famous TDR.

Yes it sounds like you have a worn out seal. Check your rear-end fluid before you drive it again, don't want to hurt it also.

It wont take more than 2 hours to do the seal change. Maybe less.

Just curious did someone drive your truck with the emergency brake on?

Tim

 

[GSchlegel]

I just had my brakes checked and also had a little greese on the right rear brake. Mechanic checked the diff. vent, it was plugged. Used brake kleen on the shoes and drum and put it back together. So far, so good.



Just something else to check.



Gene

 

[R Temple]

If the rear end is over filled the grease will leak onto the breaks.

Fill level should be 1/2 inch below fill plug.

 

[mperkins40]

Thanks for all of the replies!!



I was looking at the shop manual and the job looks relatively easy (replacing the seals and bearings). I just don't know what the manual is referring to when talking about taking a brass drift to check the couplers.



It would be great if it was only an overfill. I did just change the fluid last fall.



At this point I obviously cleaned up the mess with CRC brake Clean when I changed the brake shoes. For now, since there are no other signs and symptoms of any problems, should I just make sure that the rear end level is good and keep an eye out for more leaks in the future?



Mike

 

[R Temple]

I had the same problem, I over filled the differential and the grease ran to the right side brake drum. I had to replace the seal and nut that holds every thing together. You need to grease the bearings with wheel bearing grease when you put together. I don't know where you will use the brass drift. I had to buy a socket to fit the nut. I have a 2001 3500 I would think they are the same.

I cleaned the brake lining with acetone to sure that there is no oil on them, so far every thing is working great.

You may have to go to the dealer to get the nut, I was lucky and got one from a parts house here, but he called the dealer to verify part # and recommendation.

That was a lesson learned. It's not a very hard job to replace.

Good luck.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Grease in rear brake drumd

Mperkins40, you need to replace the seal on that wheel. It will continue to leak even if you allow it to run low of lube. The brass drift the manual refers to is to remove the bearing cups. You won't have to remove the bearing cups to replace the seal. bg