W463 G63 Axle leaking grease? any help or normal
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G63/RR LWB/W222 S550
W463 G63 Axle leaking grease? any help or normal
I was told this is normal. The right side is more greasier while the left side is pretty dry and nowhere near like the right side.
Any advice ?
Any advice ?
Last edited by simandang; Jul 14, 2020 at 05:03 PM.
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From: Massachusetts
2018 GLE350, 2014 G550, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8, 1995 E320 Cabriolet
How many miles are on your G? That can be a factor in what to suspect.
It is somewhat hard for me to tell from the video (on my laptop at least) whether to call it "excessive" in your case, but for a G in general, excessive grease on the swipe seals is indicative of one of three things - a cracked/leaking CV joint boot on that side, worn or damaged king pin swivel bearings, or the wrong grease used inside the ball hub. While the incorrect grease could have been added at anytime, the first two items usually occur at 80K+ miles. An exception to this could be the king pin bearings and the use of spacers. Spacers significantly increase the loads on these bearings and therefore can cause early failure. By all means, remove the spacers before you take it in!
One other possibility is that the other hub could have too little grease in in and thus looks drier. An easy check/fix for this.
Please post what is ultimately determined.
It is somewhat hard for me to tell from the video (on my laptop at least) whether to call it "excessive" in your case, but for a G in general, excessive grease on the swipe seals is indicative of one of three things - a cracked/leaking CV joint boot on that side, worn or damaged king pin swivel bearings, or the wrong grease used inside the ball hub. While the incorrect grease could have been added at anytime, the first two items usually occur at 80K+ miles. An exception to this could be the king pin bearings and the use of spacers. Spacers significantly increase the loads on these bearings and therefore can cause early failure. By all means, remove the spacers before you take it in!
One other possibility is that the other hub could have too little grease in in and thus looks drier. An easy check/fix for this.
Please post what is ultimately determined.
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From: LA
1987 Porsche 911. 2008 G55
This is normal.
I just re-greased my 08 G55 and the new grease is coming out. This is how it works, that grease keeps water and other contaminants out of the swivel joint.
Like Flooby said, how many miles do you have on your truck, have you had that grease repacked?
I upgraded to Mobil Synthetic grease a few weeks back. Super easy job.
I just re-greased my 08 G55 and the new grease is coming out. This is how it works, that grease keeps water and other contaminants out of the swivel joint.
Like Flooby said, how many miles do you have on your truck, have you had that grease repacked?
I upgraded to Mobil Synthetic grease a few weeks back. Super easy job.
Member
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AMG G63
I was told this is normal. The right side is more greasier while the left side is pretty dry and nowhere near like the right side.
Any advice ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMhv-OEFzqw
Any advice ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMhv-OEFzqw
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 133
From: Massachusetts
2018 GLE350, 2014 G550, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8, 1995 E320 Cabriolet
Some grease on the swipe seals is normal as that is indeed the waterproofing mechanism, however, excessive runny black grease on the seals is indicative of a CV boot failure. MB specifies a green colored grease for the hub internals so that normal weeping can be differentiated from the black CV joint grease.
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From: LA
1987 Porsche 911. 2008 G55
@Floobydust Agreed, that's why I went for a red grease in the Mobil Synthetic, so I can keep an eye on what's making it out. If the grease coming out is extremely viscous, then water is getting in the seals, if it comes out thick like it went in then you should be fine.
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Super Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 763
Likes: 313
From: LA
1987 Porsche 911. 2008 G55
No, mine looked like a murder scene. I just went down and cleaned them up, I don't think the previous owner ever bothered to look at them..... took a ton of heavy duty paper towels.
I would recommend having the grease checked, or filling it yourself.... super easy and rewarding job.
I would recommend having the grease checked, or filling it yourself.... super easy and rewarding job.
Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 110
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AMG G63
No, mine looked like a murder scene. I just went down and cleaned them up, I don't think the previous owner ever bothered to look at them..... took a ton of heavy duty paper towels.
I would recommend having the grease checked, or filling it yourself.... super easy and rewarding job.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OTWwjBhcuw
I would recommend having the grease checked, or filling it yourself.... super easy and rewarding job.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OTWwjBhcuw
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 763
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From: LA
1987 Porsche 911. 2008 G55
Yup, if the grease leaking out looked like a chocolate milkshake then you would be in trouble, as the seal and grease are letting water in.
If it's just grease like you posted everything is working fine it just needs to be cleaned so it doesn't cake up on other parts and eventually checked for level.
For maintenance all you do is use a grease gun and add grease until it comes out the fill hole.
If it's just grease like you posted everything is working fine it just needs to be cleaned so it doesn't cake up on other parts and eventually checked for level.
For maintenance all you do is use a grease gun and add grease until it comes out the fill hole.
Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 110
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AMG G63
Yup, if the grease leaking out looked like a chocolate milkshake then you would be in trouble, as the seal and grease are letting water in.
If it's just grease like you posted everything is working fine it just needs to be cleaned so it doesn't cake up on other parts and eventually checked for level.
For maintenance all you do is use a grease gun and add grease until it comes out the fill hole.
If it's just grease like you posted everything is working fine it just needs to be cleaned so it doesn't cake up on other parts and eventually checked for level.
For maintenance all you do is use a grease gun and add grease until it comes out the fill hole.
oh boy. The picture I attached was my passenger side. My driver side has more grease Like a milkshake all over just as you said. Should I just clean and refill? Or some parts need to be replaced?
Super Member
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From: LA
1987 Porsche 911. 2008 G55
Here's what I bought to do the job:
Grease Gun:
Mobil 1 Grease, I think I bought 3, only used 1.
Also wear gloves and have paper towels or rags on you.
I believe the recessed plug is just a standard 14mm hex head and you will need some extensions to reach.
Last edited by almostordinary; Jul 1, 2020 at 01:01 PM.
Member
Joined: Apr 2019
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AMG G63
Post a pic if you can.
Here's what I bought to do the job:
Grease Gun:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Mobil 1 Grease, I think I bought 3, only used 1.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Also wear gloves and have paper towels or rags on you.
I believe the recessed plug is just a standard 14mm hex head and you will need some extensions to reach.
Here's what I bought to do the job:
Grease Gun:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Mobil 1 Grease, I think I bought 3, only used 1.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Also wear gloves and have paper towels or rags on you.
I believe the recessed plug is just a standard 14mm hex head and you will need some extensions to reach.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 133
From: Massachusetts
2018 GLE350, 2014 G550, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8, 1995 E320 Cabriolet
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 416
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G63/RR LWB/W222 S550
If you look at the video I posted. The passenger side has a chocolate milk type grease leaking out vs passenger side which is normal no chocolate milk.
I’ll try to get more pics but do you guys think mines leaking?
the dealer has
told me its
normal
I’ll try to get more pics but do you guys think mines leaking?
the dealer has
told me its
normal
Last edited by simandang; Jul 14, 2020 at 05:03 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 763
Likes: 313
From: LA
1987 Porsche 911. 2008 G55
I wouldn't be alarmed by that at all.
When was the last time the truck saw rain?
I'd suggest cleaning it up checking level and refilling and just keep an eye on it.
The Mobil1 Grease I linked above is red, so you can tell when it's coming out and how it's working w the seals.
The pic that Flooby posted is a catastrophic failure a lot of liquid mixing w the grease and seeping out.
When was the last time the truck saw rain?
I'd suggest cleaning it up checking level and refilling and just keep an eye on it.
The Mobil1 Grease I linked above is red, so you can tell when it's coming out and how it's working w the seals.
The pic that Flooby posted is a catastrophic failure a lot of liquid mixing w the grease and seeping out.
Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 110
Likes: 30
AMG G63
Post a pic if you can.
Here's what I bought to do the job:
Grease Gun:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Mobil 1 Grease, I think I bought 3, only used 1.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Also wear gloves and have paper towels or rags on you.
I believe the recessed plug is just a standard 14mm hex head and you will need some extensions to reach.
Here's what I bought to do the job:
Grease Gun:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Mobil 1 Grease, I think I bought 3, only used 1.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Also wear gloves and have paper towels or rags on you.
I believe the recessed plug is just a standard 14mm hex head and you will need some extensions to reach.
Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 110
Likes: 30
AMG G63
Yup, if the grease leaking out looked like a chocolate milkshake then you would be in trouble, as the seal and grease are letting water in.
If it's just grease like you posted everything is working fine it just needs to be cleaned so it doesn't cake up on other parts and eventually checked for level.
For maintenance all you do is use a grease gun and add grease until it comes out the fill hole.
If it's just grease like you posted everything is working fine it just needs to be cleaned so it doesn't cake up on other parts and eventually checked for level.
For maintenance all you do is use a grease gun and add grease until it comes out the fill hole.
this is how my driver side looks like. More chocolate grease than the passenger side which looks “normal”.
should I be worried or this is normal too?
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 763
Likes: 313
From: LA
1987 Porsche 911. 2008 G55
Compared to what I inherited w my truck, I'd consider that a table you could eat off of.
Looks fine, just clean it and check the levels. I doubt there's much grease missing but worth the look.
Also you can use a foaming degreaser to help dislodge all the old caked up stuff on the steering components as well while you're down there.
Also one more word of caution, that stuff will stain an unsealed driveway, so maybe lay some cardboard down first to avoid any scolding from your significant others, or an eyesore on your driveway.
Looks fine, just clean it and check the levels. I doubt there's much grease missing but worth the look.
Also you can use a foaming degreaser to help dislodge all the old caked up stuff on the steering components as well while you're down there.
Also one more word of caution, that stuff will stain an unsealed driveway, so maybe lay some cardboard down first to avoid any scolding from your significant others, or an eyesore on your driveway.
Last edited by almostordinary; Jul 1, 2020 at 04:02 PM.
Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 110
Likes: 30
AMG G63
Compared to what I inherited w my truck, I'd consider that a table you could eat off of.
Looks fine, just clean it and check the levels. I doubt there's much grease missing but worth the look.
Also you can use a foaming degreaser to help dislodge all the old caked up stuff on the steering components as well while you're down there.
Also one more word of caution, that stuff will stain an unsealed driveway, so maybe lay some cardboard down first to avoid any scolding from your significant others, or an eyesore on your driveway.
Looks fine, just clean it and check the levels. I doubt there's much grease missing but worth the look.
Also you can use a foaming degreaser to help dislodge all the old caked up stuff on the steering components as well while you're down there.
Also one more word of caution, that stuff will stain an unsealed driveway, so maybe lay some cardboard down first to avoid any scolding from your significant others, or an eyesore on your driveway.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 416
Likes: 91
G63/RR LWB/W222 S550
I think it’s leaking more everyday just took a look day.
Also see oil leaking from the back now. Really get me frustrated it seems there’s a new leak everyday now. It reminds me of the under carriage of my bmws that would be POS leak galore everyday. I have two Range Rovers that get driven daily and have double the miles and one has triple the miles of my G and they are dry as the Sahara underneath.
now what is this leaking? It’s on both sides it was not there last week when I noticed the axle leaking. I also can’t understand how terrible Mercedes service is, you’d think they would want to identify all the issues and make money of the warranty but each time everything is “normal” and or “in my head” and they send me on my way. When I don’t have a warranty it’s always a couple thousand dollar bill. Funny how that works.
attsched is new pics of the axle and whatever the new leak is
Passenger side visible runny
Drivers side seems Good
New leak discovers what is thisn
Also see oil leaking from the back now. Really get me frustrated it seems there’s a new leak everyday now. It reminds me of the under carriage of my bmws that would be POS leak galore everyday. I have two Range Rovers that get driven daily and have double the miles and one has triple the miles of my G and they are dry as the Sahara underneath.
now what is this leaking? It’s on both sides it was not there last week when I noticed the axle leaking. I also can’t understand how terrible Mercedes service is, you’d think they would want to identify all the issues and make money of the warranty but each time everything is “normal” and or “in my head” and they send me on my way. When I don’t have a warranty it’s always a couple thousand dollar bill. Funny how that works.
attsched is new pics of the axle and whatever the new leak is
Passenger side visible runny
Drivers side seems Good
New leak discovers what is thisn
Last edited by simandang; Jul 14, 2020 at 05:04 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 416
Likes: 91
G63/RR LWB/W222 S550
Just compared the pic from yesterday and today and it’s much more chocolate milk.
looks like it needs replacement.
what is the exact part here that needs to be replaced ? What’s it called
thx
looks like it needs replacement.
what is the exact part here that needs to be replaced ? What’s it called
thx
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 763
Likes: 313
From: LA
1987 Porsche 911. 2008 G55
Yea there's definitely condensation (water) getting in that Swivel, I hate to say it, but the seal may be shot. It's a bit of work to get that puppy off to.
There are seals that go behind that retaining ring, that's the ring with all the all the bolts on it.
Here's a good video on a Land Rover to give you an idea:
Regarding that oil that's showing up on the railm did it come from the opposite side through the pipe? Is your Diff leaking?
With Land Rovers if the seal blows it can sometimes leak past the wheel bearings and go into the xfercase.
I think to avoid any additional damage, it may be worth taking it to a shop for them to assess.
If you go about it yourself, you can pop open the fill plug on the axle and stick your finger in there and see if it is indeed compromised with water and to check the level.
If its low and there is no water inside, get grease, fill it up and keep an eye on it.
Not the end of the world, but better to get ahead of it.
There are seals that go behind that retaining ring, that's the ring with all the all the bolts on it.
Here's a good video on a Land Rover to give you an idea:
Regarding that oil that's showing up on the railm did it come from the opposite side through the pipe? Is your Diff leaking?
With Land Rovers if the seal blows it can sometimes leak past the wheel bearings and go into the xfercase.
I think to avoid any additional damage, it may be worth taking it to a shop for them to assess.
If you go about it yourself, you can pop open the fill plug on the axle and stick your finger in there and see if it is indeed compromised with water and to check the level.
If its low and there is no water inside, get grease, fill it up and keep an eye on it.
Not the end of the world, but better to get ahead of it.
