I have some black gunk splattering my wheels. Is this bearing needing attention or an axle that is throwing grease?

I would look to see if the axle boot is ripped. Bret

+1 for the axle boot... if no clicky clicky when turning then you can probably get away with replacing the boot... if the boot's not torn it's still most likely your axle, which is, of course, an excuse for us to hit some junkyards and find us some parts cars!!

+1 for the axle boot... if no clicky clicky when turning then you can probably get away with replacing the boot... if the boot's not torn it's still most likely your axle, which is, of course, an excuse for us to hit some junkyards and find us some parts cars!!

 

bad thing about parts cars around my place is that I want to drive them lol. The car I am driving now should probably be a parts car, but it runs too good and I look too good in it!

you do mean the inside of the wheel right? any clicking cv joints?

it usually doesn't get a ton on the wheel, it's usually all over the control arm and suspension related gizmo's, but i guess some could get on the wheel?

you do mean the inside of the wheel right? any clicking cv joints?

it usually doesn't get a ton on the wheel, it's usually all over the control arm and suspension related gizmo's, but i guess some could get on the wheel?

 

on the inside of the wheel yes, well, it might be slinging it other places too, but can't really tell. I just got some white wheels, so it is showing especially on these. No clicking, no scraping, no "helicopter" sound etc. Just greasy gunk. Hosed it down last night (first time this poor thing has been washed in over 3 years) and going to see if I can tell anything more.

To be inside the wheel, the grease is almost certainly coming from the bearings. Probably a bad outer seal. Easy to replace, just unbolt teh caliper and bracket, unbolt the big nut in the center and slide the hub/disc off. Seal is right there.

 

This next step is something I do to regrease the bearings. This applies to the OE style that have open races and you can see the balls(Some replacement bearings are sealed, so you can't grease them, If you have those, skip next step).

 

Before you pull the old seal out, pack some grease behind the lip of the seal on the bearing. Now press the hub back on, remove it, and repeat. You will eventually see grease oozing out from the back side of the knuckle at the inner seal. Now you've just repacked you're wheel bearings with fresh grease. Pull that old seal and install the new then reassemble.