I got all my pads and rotors replaced a few weeks ago and all was fine until Saturday. I noticed a blotch on the garage floor near the driver side rear wheel. I took it back to the place I had the brake work done but they were unable to find where the leak was coming from. I had assumed they didn't connect the brake lines up correctly as they had the calipers off to service them.

I was quite mystified that they couldn't find the leak as 15 minutes of driving produced quite a bit of fluid. Now, I'm assuming it's brake fluid as there's nothing else back there to leak except potentially the gas tank but the fluid is greasy and smells nothing like gas. I got some pics to show the mess. Any clue as to what's going on?





Note the first two pics are from the driver's side so the rear wheel is to the right. The leak is well away from the caliper and it doesn't look like anything flowed down from the connector. The last shot is from the passenger side showing how there's crap all over the frame rail too. I'm guessing the brake fluid is spraying pretty hard when I hit the pedal to cause this mess.

Do you think the brake line could have been damaged when the calipers were removed and put back on? Any help appreciated.

 

a couple questions:

1. why would they need to disconnect the calipers from lines to do pads/rotors? They didn't do caliper rebuilds, did they?
2. The only thing that is back there is brake lines. Fuel lines enter the tank forward of that.
3. Yes, it is about a 99% chance that they somehow broke the brake lines somehow while doing whatever they were doing. No other explanation for it.


Here's what YOU can do:
- check the brake master cylinder reservoir. Is the fluid low? If that much is coming out, it should be low.
- get someone to sit in your car with the rear on jackstands and wheels off the rear. Put some shop goggles on. Look at the general area while you have the person pump the brakes slowly, and you shoudl be able to see where the leak it.

Then, replace the line.

Most likely they pinched the line somehow (maybe positioned their lift incorrectly, who knows)....it should be up to them to fix it, IMO.

This is an EXCELLENT reason why I use ATE Blue brake fluid, by the way - it's always easy to tell where leaks are from using color:
- Blue - brake fluid
- Red - antifreeze (toyota antifreeze)

 

are the brakes very soft when you depress them? It almost sounds like some donkey at the shop didn't tighten the brake bleeder valve. Definately get under there with a buddy depressing the brake to identify where it is comming from.

 

They took off the calipers to clean them. They also replaced the brake fluid. I still had the fluid it came with from the factory.
That's what I thought.
Thanks! That's just the kind of ammo I need.

This is exactly what they said they did. I'm going to take it back to them and have them do this in front of me.
That never occurred to me. Good idea!

 

Brakes seem fine. Nice and firm. Oh, and the resevior looks full.

 

They probably let brake fluid shoot all over everything while bleeding them and it all dripped off on you floor when you got home.

 

I don't think so. Its still happening and didn't start to drip until a couple of weeks after the service.

 

If you were leaking brake fluid you would have a soft pedal and low fluid. Are you sure it's not just water from your exhaust?

 

He said in his first post that the fluid was greasy, so it is not water.

 

No its definitely not water. Maybe its coming from the shock absorbers? I can't get directly under the car so I can't see very well. Shocks have some kind of oil in them right? BTW, my shocks are still stock.

I just re-checked my brake fluid reservoir. It's full. In fact, it's passed the max line. Should I be concerned about this?

 

rear trailing arm bushing? i believe it's liquid filled. i just noticed some dampness around mine last wheel while also changing my brakes.

 

Crap. I hope that's not the problem. I'm guessing it will be much more expensive to fix than a brake line.

 

yes and no. it would be one of those moments to get energy suspension bushings. the write-up is here, if your'e curious. it's a rugged way of doing it, but it does work.

http://digitalpolo.com/2002MaximaSE/...ngArmBushings/

 

I don't think I'm up to removing the rear suspension. I don't have the tools, talent or time.

 

I've been monitoring my brakes for the last week and haven't noticed any change. They still feel fine and the resevior is full. I guess Polo was right and it's my bushing that is leaking. Does anyone know if I can let this ride for a bit? Do I risk damaging my suspension or am I just going feel a bit degradation in handling?

Thx

 

bumpity bump