Oil leaking from Drive shaft boot

[Chappio]

Hi Guys,

I have had the golf (1987 8V) on axle stands for a few weeks now while I have been renewing parts. I have come to put the wishbones and suspension back on and noticed a patch of oil on the floor. The car has never leaked any oil in 2 years of owning it. It appears to be coming from the driver’s side inner drive shaft boot. I have had a read about replacing drive shafts and there is no mention of expecting to see oil.

Like I said it has been stood for a while with the wheel housing supported so there was no strain on the inner CV joints, the only thing I have done of late is start it at weekend. Have I had a shocker and caused some damage?

I have taken some pics and a video, although in the video not a lot of oil can be seen as I keep pulling the boot back in disbelief!!!


http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad192/PJChaplow/P1010090.jpg


http://s935.photobucket.com/albums/ad192/PJChaplow/?action=view&current=P1010094.flv

Oh and there seems some play in the drive shaft as well as the first thing I did was push the wheel housing back towards the engine, and I felt maybe 5mm of movement.

Appreciate your help on this one.

[mickysuperstar]

Sorry to hear about the troubles mate!

Chappio is a good friend of mine everyone, but is new to the forum... Any help would be wicked!

 

[leeroy20vt]

sounds silly but i have taken a cv boot off before and the greese was like oil it may be the same and with cold weather ect were u have moved it might have perished the rubber slighty i may be well wrong tho lol

[Chappio]

This was definitely oil and when I first pulled the boot back a lot of it, maybe half a cup full. When I left it and went to pull it back again, another substantial amount had collected.

[bodga]

wots it smell like? gear oil normally smells like cat pi55 

[Chappio]

haha. I wouldn't say it smells like cat piss, but it smells like the gearbox oil I put in a few months ago.

[johnson6672]

Sorry to say the, it maybe gearbox oil, it does look very clean in the first pic (if i am looking at the right bit) maybe an output seal.

[Chappio]

It has been suggested to me that there is a flange that can be seen when the drive shaft is removed and this could be responsible. But this isn't concrete information. It is 100% gear box oil.

[johnson6672]

Take the shaft off and have a look around is the best bet, if it is a seal they shouldn't be too bad to change.

[raferackstraw]

sounds like the drive flange seal mate, mine is leaking very slightly as well

here's alink with all the info you need

http://www.brokevw.com/020flange.html