Smoke rolling out around back tire - Axle Bearings???

[bandit]

I need some help diagnosing a problem.

Took the car out last week and was getting smoke rolling out from the back passenger tire around the drum when I got home. Pulled the tire and drum, and the brakes are not dragging and I see no fluid leaks. Turned the hub in neutral and not hearing anything(trying to listen for bad bearings noise)

Took it out again today just to confirm and the same thing, smoke rolling out from the drum on that one side when I got home. Holding my hand close to the rim, I can also feel it is heating up pretty good.

From reading, my suspicion is the bearing and/or seal but just a guess at this point. Again I did not hear the typical bad bearing noise and saw no apparent leak. Figure I need to pull the axle at this point but any tips on what I should be looking for? Never pulled one out before.

It's a Dana 60 Sure Grip if it matters.

 

[Fran Blacker]

Take tire and drum off, wheel cylinder leaking. Could check master cylinder first. Then 5 nuts and pull axle if you didn't see anything earlier. You may need to put brake drum on backward, use 3 lug nuts just put them 5/6 turns. Use brake drum as a slide hammer to pull axle.

 

[bandit]

Master is not down and don't see any leaks around the cylinder. Would a leaking wheel cylinder make it heat up?

Thanks for the tips on getting the axle off.

 

[Fran Blacker]

Hot brakes, how's the e brake. Any growl from passengers side? When you pull axle look at rollers and cone. Check for specks of metal on rollers/cone if nothing obvious .

 

[bandit]

ebrake is fine. Drum comes off fairly easy. Didn't notice any noises but the car is pretty loud.

I'm going to try and pull the axle.

 

[1967coronet]

Whats it smell like when its hot ?

 

[69L48Z27]

Yes, what’s the smell? Give it a taste too!

Sounds like brakes but I guess it could be a bearing. The smell should be way different for each one. If you pull it a part as soon as you roll into the garage you’ll figure it out. Pull the drum and if the smoke isn’t off the pads you should see it rolling out of the back plate and bearing area.

 

[bandit]

It did not smell like anything specific that I can isolate with. Can't say I've smelt burning brake fluid before though.

I didn't notice it before but it looks like it may be seeping a little bit of grease at the bottom of the mounting plate. Compared it to the other side and it is dry there. I am guessing that means the axle seal is bad. I pulled the axles and the bearing appear to be fine and no shavings. Spin ok. Grease is a little old but nothing alarming.

I shined a light inside the axle tube on both sides and there is a thin line of crap that has accumulated on the bottom all the way in. Is this normal? Wiped my finger through it and is really gritty. Not sure what it is. Don't think it is bearing shavings.

 

[1967coronet]

Hot brake linings will smell like toasted clutch lining. Oil & grease cooking will smell like a small block chevy running.
good time to repack the bearings new seals and set the end play.
grit is prob just that. clean it like a rifle bore , clean shop rag , spray some lithium or WD40 ect and a dowel ect spin it in and out.
As long as you do not have any grease coming through the seals thats good.
Dry brake linings ? Tire rub ?

 

[Mick56]

Check the vent on the axle tube. I've seen many of them get plugged with dirt, and then build up pressure which can force the grease out of the seals.

Hot rear end grease has a very distinctive smell.

 

[Joe66satellite]

Check the vent on the axle tube. I've seen many of them get plugged with dirt, and then build up pressure which can force the grease out of the seals.

Hot rear end grease has a very distinctive smell.

Yeah like a small block Chevy running LOL

 

[ckessel]

MOPAR=Massively Over Powered And Respected. Too much power and not enough traction.LOL!

 

[Ron H]

What kind of 'grit' are you finding? Anything like metal shavings? put some of it on a rag or paper towel lay it flat and see if a magnet lifts the paper. If so, if you have a siphon for removing rear end grease, or turkey baster you can attach to secured hose, sip out a little grease from the bottom of the pumpkin and see what it looks like - this is an added check since you've gone this far removing the axles. And check the axle splines for any damage. Likely isn't the problem; but just rule it out things. If you have a brake fluid leak you'd see it rather quickly around the cylinder or inside of the brake housing. Just a little grease oozing into the brake area will smoke up quickly as it gets ahh, real hot; but if this is the issue you should find telltale signs of this some gunky slime coating on the backing plate, etc.

 

[BLK 68 R/T]

Don’t overlook the rubber hose that connects the hardline to the rear brakes above the axle. Those have been know to collapse, keeping pressure in the system. If one side is adjusted slightly tighter than the other that could be a possibility.