Phoenix69

Hey guys, I just noticed after parking my car, that there is a large amount of liquid with the texture of oil splattered all in my rear right wheel well, and on the spring etc. There is a large spot on my drive way perhaps a foot in diameter from the clear oil substance. I placed something underneath to see if it was leaking readily, and it is. There has not been any rain or anything of the sort. Could it be a blown strut? My brakes are working fine by the way. Any ideas?

gprixgtp

Your struts should be gas charged. Check your brake master cyl. Is the fluid running down the inside of your tire as well. It is a good chance it may be your caliper is leaking. If so you will see the fluid low in the master cyl. You will need to have the caliper replaced. Make sure you get a good quality replacement. Always remember your brakes are the MOST important part of your car. Never skimp on quality on them. Have your other side checked as well. It may do you good to replace both of them. I always replace in pairs, but I am overly anal about my brakes. Oh if you feel your pedal starting to sink as you are stopping that also is a sign of a leaking componant.

Phoenix69

I want to drive my car to a mechanic tomorrow morning, which is about 3 miles away. Are the breaks independent at all? Is this a bad idea? Any suggestions?

Langning

Could be the strut. I replaced struts on my Grand Prix and my old Cavalier. One of the struts off my Cav did leak "fluid" after I pushed the rod to the bottom. I doubted that it is air/gas inside OEM struts.

If you are losing brake fluid, the brake reservoir would be empty.

BlueGT02

the brakes are on a cross pattern, the right front and left rear are on one system, and the left front and right rear on the other system. Now this doesn't mean you can still stop effectively with one failed system. but you can stop, that means drive a good distance back.

and if you have some brake fluid at home top off the reservoir.

Idealy there is a light for low brake fluid, but more often then not the magnet in the sensor gets stuck

Phoenix69

It has been found that the fluid is from a failed strut. The mechanic wants 700$ to redo the assembly on the entire rear suspension with the basic ACDelco package. Is there any cheaper way to go about fixing the problem? Can you just replace the strut or must you replace the other, and use a completely new assembly including mountings?

Langning

I think the Monroe carries the whole strut kit with strut, boot, mounts, spring and everything in 1-single-unit for around $150 each.

When I did mine early last year, I only replaced with the KYB struts and they were $180 (for 4). If you don't want to play with spring compressor or remove the top strut nut, give Monroe a try