E90 Suspension Leak

Suvorovo · 04-15-2022, 12:53 PM

What is this oil leak? 2006 330xi

1. Upper Strut is dry.
2. CV Axle is dry can't be differential seal.
3. CV Axle boot looks to be in good condition.
4. Tie Rod that attaches to the steering rack is dry.
5. Definitely nothing from engine bay. The wheel well is dry.
6. I haven't noticed losses in brake fluid in my 3 months of owning the car.
7. Suspension was replaced at 95k miles by mechanic from previous owner. Could it be that a lazy mechanic never cleaned an old, leaky strut? The goo is quite thick.

Could it possibly be caliber/brake hose?

Sorry, photos not posting!

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edycol · 04-16-2022, 11:25 AM

Hmm, I would take down wheels and carefully inspect CV boots.

Suvorovo · 04-16-2022, 05:31 PM

Confirmed it was a torn CV boot. Tear was small, and facing up away from me. All the grease gushed out. Luckily, no noise from CV axle so it must be fresh. I purchased a split boot kit to temporarily fix it. If the tear was for much longer, I'll just allow the axle to fail completely before replacing with a GKN axle.

04-15-2022, 12:53 PM	#1
Suvorovo Lieutenant 281 Rep 524 Posts Drives: Creaky e90 330xi 6MT Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	E90 Suspension Leak What is this oil leak? 2006 330xi 1. Upper Strut is dry. 2. CV Axle is dry can't be differential seal. 3. CV Axle boot looks to be in good condition. 4. Tie Rod that attaches to the steering rack is dry. 5. Definitely nothing from engine bay. The wheel well is dry. 6. I haven't noticed losses in brake fluid in my 3 months of owning the car. 7. Suspension was replaced at 95k miles by mechanic from previous owner. Could it be that a lazy mechanic never cleaned an old, leaky strut? The goo is quite thick. Could it possibly be caliber/brake hose? Sorry, photos not posting! View post on imgur.com View post on imgur.com Last edited by Suvorovo; 04-15-2022 at 08:04 PM..
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04-16-2022, 11:25 AM	#2
edycol Lieutenant Colonel 1552 Rep 1,505 Posts Drives: 2011 328i xDrive Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Colorado Springs iTrader: (0)	Hmm, I would take down wheels and carefully inspect CV boots.
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04-16-2022, 05:31 PM	#3
Suvorovo Lieutenant 281 Rep 524 Posts Drives: Creaky e90 330xi 6MT Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Confirmed it was a torn CV boot. Tear was small, and facing up away from me. All the grease gushed out. Luckily, no noise from CV axle so it must be fresh. I purchased a split boot kit to temporarily fix it. If the tear was for much longer, I'll just allow the axle to fail completely before replacing with a GKN axle.
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