The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Rear axle leaking

I have a chance to buy a C50, but the owner says the rear brake wheel cylinder is leaking. Here is the pic.
[img]https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthread.../filename/00i0i_dM8DCLgHtJk_1200x900.jpg[/img]
Does this look like a wheel cylinder leak to anyone. It doesn't, to me.

Mod Edit: You can put images directly into your post. CL and Ebay links are only allowed in that Swap Meet forum. The How-To for posting images is at the bottom left of every page.

You can taste it by taking a finger swipe, then to your tongue, sort of sweet, oil will taste bland. Brake fluid also smells different-open a can to smell and taste and smell, it won't hurt.

Ed

Truck is in Kansas and I am in Florida. How could a leaking wheel cylinder leak brake fluid on the outside of a rear dual?

Ask him how often he has to add brake fluid. A leak that bad needs to be fixed, whether it's a rear hub grease seal or a brake- - - -either way, you're probably looking at a brake rebuild because the brake linings will be saturated, and there's no way to clean them up.

Have you factored in the cost of replacing those widowmaker rims into your offer? The one in that photo is definitely an RH-5 wheel.
Jerry

I agree. I still can't understand how it is leaking so badly down the outside of the wheel if it is brake fluid.

Just about any truck I find is, most likely, going to have those rims, so it will always be a price factor.

Thanks for the info.

There is a pretty flimsy paper gasket behind that sheet metal axle shaft cover that is probably the source of the leak- - - -rear end lube, not brake fluid. See if the seller will take some pictures of the inside of the dual wheels- - - - -a brake fluid leak will be dripping down the inside tire as it runs out of the brake drum.
Jerry

Exactly where I would expect leaking brake fluid to be.

Okay, I talked with the owner. He said he just washed the truck and that was water, and I believe him. He said the leaking is coming from the drum, on the inside, and is barely noticeable. I can get him to $3500 for this truck and it is the cleanest and most original truck I have looked at, yet.
It is a 1969 C50 grain truck, 292, 4 speed w/2 speed rear. No rust! I think I'm going to buy it.
Now, to figure out how to get it from the middle of the country down to Florida.

If you go get it, allow some extra time to search for a set of wheels, even better, advertise ahead of time, might save yourself a freight trip.

Ed

If it's near Great Bend KS, there's a junkyard just north of there that has a bunch of old trucks. You might contact them about wheels.
The place is called Nobody's Auto Recycling. Check them out on Street View

Before you get all crazy about tasting liquid dripping off of tires like that, make sure that a dog has not been nearby lately. Don't ask me how I know.
Just so you will know, dog's marking fluid has the exact same viscosity as brake fluid.

Yeah, I won't be sampling any fluids. The owner told me he had just washed the truck, and it was water.

Black Jack was the dog's name. Half Doberman, half pit bull. I did not actually do a taste test, but my cousin's version of the story clearly states that I did.