I've never seen this before on any car I've owned but I noticed some spots n the driveway. I smelled the fluid and it was a clear lubricant of some sort, not brake fluid or gas. The area of the leak was the rear left just in front of the rear driver's side wheel.

So I poke my head down there and feel around, the leak is coming from the e-brake cable (wtf?). I checked all my fluids as there are some brake lines that run in that area but all fluid levels are fine.

I am stumped on this one, could this be right? Does the e-brake cable have some fluid in it to keep it moving? Has anyone seen this problem, how much of a PITA is this going to be to replace?

 

I've heard of this b4 on another forum. Apparently the ebrake cable does contain a lube fluid and can leak. The solution was to replace the cable.

 

the cable should have a clear grease in it to lubricate it. Not sure why it would be turning to liquid enough to leak, though.

Has it rained recently?

 

Thanks for the help. It hasn't rained for about 5-6 days. I'm not really sure what to think. It's pretty clear where it's coming from though.

It's not running down any cable or anything, it's clearly coming from the ebrake cable.

 

best bet would be to first figure out what it is that's dripping - water, oil, etc....

There are really no fluids back there aside from the fluid inside the trailing arm bushings and the fuel line.

 

Thanks irish, I'll have more time to follow up tomorrow. This thread was interesting though:

http://forums.nicoclub.com/fluid-leak-t444303.html

 

So is it possible that the bushing in the area might be leaking? Is it fluid filled?

I am still clearly leaking (seeing new spots) but my brake fluid level has not moved at all.

 

I'm referring to the rear trailing arm bushings (or whatever Nissan calls them). They are the big bushings where the rear suspension arms attach to the chassis and yes, they are fluid-filled.

Take a photo of where you are seeing the leak and post it up.

 

The leak is all localized to this area. The bushing I am related to is in the pic there near arrows.

 

If the leak is around that bushing then you def have a leaking bushing and not cable

That bushing is not very easy to replace either

 

Thanks for the help. I am getting conflicting information. I just called two dealers and am told this bushing is NOT a servicable part. I can't even buy it (at least according to these two phone calls).

I called Nissan direct, they weren't helpful. Can anyone confirm:
a) this bushing IS fluid filled
b) whether it can be replaced and if anyone has a part number that would be awesom

 

Yes, the bushing is fluid filled.

You maybe able to get a poly bushing pressed in. The work is highly involved and you have to remove the entire beam assembly. You cant just get oem bushing for that without buying a whole new beam assembly.

See this link for a picture of what that area is like and for part numbers.
http://www.courtesyparts.com/maxima-...2046_2050.html

You may have to search but there is a thread on the org where someone managed to buy a beam assembly from the junk yard, press in poly bushings and then replace the unit on the car to reduce amount of downtime.

 

Thanks that's definitely helpful. The next question is, what happens if I just say screw it? How critical is that bushing? Am I likely to hear noise or damage other components?

 

Free play n that bushing might cause the car to wonder at speed i.e. not very stable in that corner since it may have a tendency to not track straight.

In severe case you would see uneven tire wear and even probably noise when going over bumps as the bushing looses its ability to dampen the shock.

 

Well, this is an engineering failure on Nissan's part. There shouldn't be any fluid filled components that aren't servicable, that just makes no sense.

I got a quote on that whole beam with the bushing in it - about $550 plus the labor needed to install. Bunch of BS if you ask me.

Thanks for the heads up on searching for the other thread, I did find it. Even if I got an aftermarket bushing, would there be any way to replace it with out completely removing the rear axle?

 

It might be doable... but if the axle is off... it would be easier to cut off the old bushing and press in the new ones.

 

just go get an axle from the Junkyard for a hundred bucks, press some energy suspension bushings in with it off the car (yes, it is a PITA but can be done), and install.