Oily residue on front wheels

2752 Views 15 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Mr Phoenix, Sep 29, 2010

Mr Phoenix

Discussion Starter · Sep 20, 2010

Ok guys, maybe a bit of a random one, but I have white straights on my diesel ZR, and I've noticed that after driving a few miles I'm getting lots of oily black streaks on the wheels. I have no oil leaks at all, so I'm ruling out a kind of blow back I think. I wasn't too concerned until washing last it last night, and I had to remove the staining (yes staining!) with white spirit. Anybody got any experience of this, and came to a conclusion as to where it caomes from? With white wheels I expect to remove brake dust more often than on silver, but this is too much! Please....

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Mean & Green

· #2 · Sep 20, 2010

Is it not just a build up of brake dust not oil?

If you have dusty pads and white wheels they will get in a state.

Apply some wax to the wheels and you should just be able to wash with car shampoo.

Mr Phoenix

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 21, 2010

Deffo not brake dust, as it has stained in streaks. Shoulldn't be having to remove brake dust after one day with white spirit!! Normal shampoo should suffice for weeks in my experience. I had waxed them the week before when I put them on. I've had white wheels before, and owned cars for 20 years, and never had anything like this, although it is my first diesel.

HarryBarfield

· #4 · Sep 21, 2010

CV joint maybe? on my saxo i used to get this probem because the boot had come off and was hurling grease all over my wheels.

Regards

Harry

candygt

· #5 · Sep 21, 2010

I was about to mention the CV grease aswell.. comes in a variety of colors commonly green or grey.. might only have a pinhole puncture on the boot that streaches open when turning etc.. I think CV is a long shot, it would be quite thick streaks not watery.

Although could it also be that you drove through something manky? or does it keep coming back.

Mr Phoenix

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 21, 2010

It does keep coming back, so ruling out the manky puddle idea - but that was what I hoped to start with, before they were dashed when it re-appeared the next time! I hadn't thought of the cv boot - but what are the odds on it being both sides? Ah... it's a rover. I will check them both for problems tomorrow, and feed back. Many thanks!!

outcastjack

· #7 · Sep 21, 2010

when wet I get brake dust running in streaks after a hard drive and it does stain badly.

Mean & Green

· #8 · Sep 21, 2010

Is it only the front wheels it's happening to?

How long have you been having the problem?

I doubt it would be on both sides of the car at the same time if something was leaking.

Could you post a pic of the dirty wheels so we can actually see it?

candygt

· #9 · Sep 21, 2010

EDIT: I just realised you said white wheels and both wheels.. so its prob just break dust as allready mentioned. My old white TSW's on the polo were an absolute mother to keep clean.

Mr Phoenix

Discussion Starter · #10 · Sep 22, 2010

So if it's looking like the pads that are doing it, does that mean it's the type of pad that's fitted, most likely oem ones? I'm intending to upgrade the discs and calipers soon, so that may get rid of it. Never had this before, even weeks of hard driving between washes. Tis very frustrating, but hey ho. I will check the cv boots later just in case. Thanks guys.

Scarab

· #11 · Sep 22, 2010

I've been getting this on my MkII ZS the past few days, a right beggar to get off with soap but comes off first time with a little squirt of Meguiars Speed Detailer. Its just brake dust though, I had it checked at the garage, apparently its a known thing on the type of pads that have been fitted "EBC Green Stuff" in my case.

Have to keep cleaning it daily though.

Never had it on the ZS Mk1 using OEM pads.

Alex

Mr Phoenix

Discussion Starter · #12 · Sep 22, 2010

Thanks Alex, I have some speed detailer so I will give that a try next time. I'm only guessing I have oem pads, as I've only had the car a month or so. They're not green stuff I do know that. Looks like I will have to keep right on top of it to keep it at bay. Thank you!

Mean & Green

· #13 · Sep 22, 2010

Scarab said:
I've been getting this on my MkII ZS the past few days, a right beggar to get off with soap but comes off first time with a little squirt of Meguiars Speed Detailer. Its just brake dust though, I had it checked at the garage, apparently its a known thing on the type of pads that have been fitted "EBC Green Stuff" in my case.

Have to keep cleaning it daily though.

Never had it on the ZS Mk1 using OEM pads.

Alex

That's a little disappointing considering EBC claim less brake dust with green stuff.

I was going to buy some green stuff pads earlier in the year but after hearing quite a lot of negative comments on them I just bought some more OEM ones.

Scarab

· #14 · Sep 27, 2010

Mean & Green said:
That's a little disappointing considering EBC claim less brake dust with green stuff.

I love the pads and the stopping power is great, a lot better than OEM however I'm having serious problems with the dust on them. I have to give my wheels and panels immediately behind the wheels a good clean after every 200 miles of driving (about 1-2 days for me)

I'll be looking into low dust pads next time! but it wont be green stuff

forehead

· #15 · Sep 28, 2010

It could also be brake fluid though being from both sides its not likely. I'd take one of the wheels off and check inside the wheel for evidence of steaks and have a good look round the calliper and cv joint areas.

Mr Phoenix

Discussion Starter · #16 · Sep 29, 2010

forehead said:
It could also be brake fluid though being from both sides its not likely. I'd take one of the wheels off and check inside the wheel for evidence of steaks and have a good look round the calliper and cv joint areas.

Thanks forehead... drivers side I think may be as a result of the Monumental power steering fluid leak I've developed, but everything around the passenger side is as dry as a bone. On the plus side, I found a non-aggressive wheel cleaner that removes the residue first time. I think it was a Simoniz brake dust repelling one. Halfords come in handy from time to time!

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