Van Pulls to left / hub very oily?
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Van Pulls to left / hub very oily?
Hello all
Maybe someone could tell me if this is a serious needs attention right now get the thing off the road sort of a problem?
The van an 85 vanagon (US Transporter) pulls to the left as it has since I have had it (since may 06) but I have just noticed that after taking off the hub cap that the dust cap that covers the hub is loose and there is oil of some discription all over the hub.
This is not the case on the other front wheel and their are no dust caps on the rear hub so I am thinking that perhaps the brake fluid or something is leaking, although the level seems fine.
Any clues?
Much appreciated
UNcleMOnty
Maybe someone could tell me if this is a serious needs attention right now get the thing off the road sort of a problem?
The van an 85 vanagon (US Transporter) pulls to the left as it has since I have had it (since may 06) but I have just noticed that after taking off the hub cap that the dust cap that covers the hub is loose and there is oil of some discription all over the hub.
This is not the case on the other front wheel and their are no dust caps on the rear hub so I am thinking that perhaps the brake fluid or something is leaking, although the level seems fine.
Any clues?
Much appreciated
UNcleMOnty
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- blurb55
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Oil
Would help to know what the oil looks like - is it thick and more greaslike or is it thin and clear - bit like cooking oil?
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- kevtherev
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I presume the oily stuff is over the Left hub?
thats the speedo drive and needs lubricant
Pulling to the left can be tackled starting with a tracking check. and adjustment
Wrongly tracked steering will wear away one side of the front tyres.
After the check swap the fronts with the rears and take it for a drive.
Note: a heavily cambered road will pull the van to the left somewhat any way
thats the speedo drive and needs lubricant
Pulling to the left can be tackled starting with a tracking check. and adjustment
Wrongly tracked steering will wear away one side of the front tyres.
After the check swap the fronts with the rears and take it for a drive.
Note: a heavily cambered road will pull the van to the left somewhat any way
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not realy one to answer but if it`s worrying you get it looked at,pulling to one side could be tracking, worn tyre,low tyre pressure,brakes binding.the oil or is it brake fluid could it be a leaking brake cylinder,grease from lubricating the speedo,some people grease the drum to stop the wheel sticking on,
i`m sure somebody on here with some experiance will be able to tell you but i would get it looked at soon.
have a good 2007
i`m sure somebody on here with some experiance will be able to tell you but i would get it looked at soon.
have a good 2007
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- Tex Ritter
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I'm assuming you are talking about the front brakes and you have checked the rear hubs?
Would the steering wheel spin to the left when you are braking (if you were to let go?)
Sounds like you may have a problem with the right (O/S) caliper ...perhaps one of the pistons is seized if it is the 2 piston type?
The claggy stuff on the left (N/S) could be melted hub grease .... is this side brakes seized on causing overheating?. The hub cap is a simple knock on affair, be carefull you don't damage the speedo drive cable when knocking the cap back on as far as it will go, use a large socket.
Jack up both front wheels (use axle stands as a matter of safety) turn the wheels by hand and notice if there is any undue drag from either wheel.
Check for any lift/excess play on the hubs whilst you are about it.
If all appears well, have someone operate the brake pedal by a series of small increments, check each wheel is being retarded by the same amount until the wheels lock, if you've got a dodgy caliper (or worn out pads) it should show itself using this method.
Good luck and work safe.
Tex Ritter
Would the steering wheel spin to the left when you are braking (if you were to let go?)
Sounds like you may have a problem with the right (O/S) caliper ...perhaps one of the pistons is seized if it is the 2 piston type?
The claggy stuff on the left (N/S) could be melted hub grease .... is this side brakes seized on causing overheating?. The hub cap is a simple knock on affair, be carefull you don't damage the speedo drive cable when knocking the cap back on as far as it will go, use a large socket.
Jack up both front wheels (use axle stands as a matter of safety) turn the wheels by hand and notice if there is any undue drag from either wheel.
Check for any lift/excess play on the hubs whilst you are about it.
If all appears well, have someone operate the brake pedal by a series of small increments, check each wheel is being retarded by the same amount until the wheels lock, if you've got a dodgy caliper (or worn out pads) it should show itself using this method.
Good luck and work safe.
Tex Ritter
Last edited by Tex Ritter on 03 Jan 2007, 12:46, edited 3 times in total.
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Yes, get it checked thoroughly by someone competent soon. Various places peeps here use in London...
Could be all sorts of things, and if its brake binding, bearing trouble or tracking out (less likely) needs to be sorted. Check your tyre pressures ASAP, its easy to be running a low pressure/slow puncture without realising till its very low due to the geometry cleverly concealing any pulling (negative scrub radius).
An overpacked hub bearing (no air space) will overheat and maybe melt even HMP grease. Grease caps should not be filled with grease normally, grease should be levelled off with the bearing face and the cap itself act as an expansion volume.
Could be all sorts of things, and if its brake binding, bearing trouble or tracking out (less likely) needs to be sorted. Check your tyre pressures ASAP, its easy to be running a low pressure/slow puncture without realising till its very low due to the geometry cleverly concealing any pulling (negative scrub radius).
An overpacked hub bearing (no air space) will overheat and maybe melt even HMP grease. Grease caps should not be filled with grease normally, grease should be levelled off with the bearing face and the cap itself act as an expansion volume.
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