[T3] Leak under front driver side

[Jim Adney]

On 16 Mar 2013 at 0:34, Dave Hall wrote:

> Could it be the oil separating from the grease in the torsion arm bearings?
> I think there are drain slots at the bottom of the axle where the halves
> join.

If it's actully coming from the axle beam, this is certainly a 
possibility.

> If it's oil-based, it won't rinse off you finger under a tap, but normal
> brake fluid will (not silicone fluid though). 
> The brakes aren't very close to the axle beam, so I can't think of how brake
> fluid could appear there.

If it's coming from the pan horns that grip the axle beam then I 
think brake fluid can get there from the front footwell area.

Checking for solubility in water is a good test.

> Is it from the steering box?  The grease in there can also separate and
> dribble out over a time.

Sure, that's another possibility.

> With a simple fuel tank vent, there is a pipe that ends up near the
> left-hand axle beam end - could fuel fumes condense in cold conditions and
> drip from there?  

Hmmm, seems unlikely since this is a '72, but who knows what's still 
there of the OE vent system. Perhaps he should check in the trunk to 
see if there's any sign of spillage or leakage that would have slowly 
made its way to the ground.


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Jim Adney, jadney at vwtype3.org
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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