mysterious grease

[Chipped]

Hi All,

Ok a weird one.
On the inside diameter of my left front rim I seem to consistently find a build up of spattered grease. Initially when I last washed the car I thought maybe I had picked it up from the road somewhere. I washed and wiped it off and thought nothing of it until my next wash (weekend just passed) and there it was again. A grease black spattered build up of grease. Now its only on the inside of the front left rim.
The only thing I can think of is grease from the Bilstein shock (if thats possible?)or perhaps the brakes somehow. Engine bay is clean - no problems there.

Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

[mikinoz]

I would suggest that you look at the boot on the outer CV joint as if that has torn it will be spinning all of the grease out as you drive. Left unattended could cause damage to the CV, but if you get on it fast it should be a simple fix.

Good luck

[Chuck]

Crikey - good spotting Chipped, im going to check mine on the regular now

Have you been driving exceptionaly hard? How many km's have you clocked? Would it be the suspension change that has caused it?

Keep us posted on your findings!

[Chipped]

Thanks to Mikinoz - I am dropping off to Brian at Quattro tomorrow - he suspects same thing. Will keep you posted. I'm up to 35,000km - I give it a go here and there but I wouldn't say I constantly drive around like a banana.

[mikinoz]

It is easy enough for a rock or a piece of wire go catch it and give it a tear. I have had one fail on a late model car due to this, but mostly older cars where they deteriorated and tore.

[Tim]

if its really thick horrible sticky grease it will be from your CV as mentioned above!

If the boot is torn get onto it before the grease gets contaminated as the wet weather kicks in. Contamination of the grease can lead to premature CV failure.

[Chipped]

Yep broken CV boot.

$157 parts and labour...booked in for next week.
Mystery solved and something learnt...thanks all!!