Inari

I have a 2006 Uplander. Fluid is leaking down the passenger rear tire, on the inside. The brakes appear to be fine and working normally. However, I did check the brake fluid when I got home, just after finding the puddle under my tire and it seems to be down, although I am parked on a slant sloping upwards. It's also too dark to really tell. When I took a rag to the tire, the fluid was a smeary dark brown. What is it? And is it safe to drive until my boyfriend gets home on Friday?

Thanks,
Inari

mountainmanjoe

it's brake fluid. I wouldn't take it on the freeway like that. That's for sure.

tech2

not safe to be driven.

Little Bear

Wheel cylinder is leaking, wouldn't drive until repaired.

Inari

Thanks for caring enough to warn me! This is a good week to do paperwork. At least a wheel cylinder is an easy fix. However, I have another question. If brake fluid is clear, why is the leak brown?

vinman

Brake fluid is quite corrosive and it's probably coated the inside of your rear tire's rim eating away at the dirt accumulated in there
It's probably also corroding your tire to some extent

Brake fluid in a new store bought container is clear but in the reservoir of a 14 year old car if it's never been flushed and replaced with new fluid
it will be quite dark in colour

Inari

Now that it's daylight, I've checked the brake fluid reservoir and the fluid is about the same as the last time I looked at it in the daytime: almost pristine. The brakes were completely redone 2 years ago, shortly before I bought it, so the fluid is definitely NOT old. Also, the fluid level is right in the middle between Maximum and minimum. Is there any thing else that could be leaking close to the inside of the tire, or do brake cylinders leak very slowly?

Little Bear

If it is a rear wheel drive car then the wheel bearing seal could be going out, gear lube is very thick and smells pretty bad imo, so that could be another item. The lube will get on the brake linings and make them ineffective, another reason to limit driving until it is repaired.

mountainmanjoe

A solid rear axle on a mini-van? That doesn't seem likely.

Little Bear

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Never had a minivan never will, don't know if they are front or rear wheel drive so was throwing it out there.