Brake Fluid leak due to low temps?

Dawg82 · Jan 22, 2025

Left the 2003 Tahoe LS up at our lake house for about two weeks. Came back today and found this puddle of oily fluid by right rear tire that I think has to be brake fluid. Only other possibility is oil from shock absorber. Been pretty cold for this area with multiple nights in single digits. Any suggestions for diagnosis before I get on the waiting list for a good repair guy?

Scottydoggs · Jan 22, 2025

have someone pump the brake pedal while you watch for the leak to leak out. the wheel and tire have some trails on it, might be a brake line or caliper.

the shock is also kinda shiny so if the brakes dont make fluid spray out the shock might have failed and its fluid leaked out when you dropped the truck back on the ground.

strutaeng · Jan 22, 2025

Go try to sniff if the fluid smells like brake fluid (not too likely because system doesn't really have pressure while engine is off, but you never know).

Could also be gear oil from the rear axle. Should smell like gear oil.

Fless · Jan 22, 2025

What's the other Nivomat shock look like?

Doubeleive · Jan 22, 2025

Dawg82 said:
Left the 2003 Tahoe LS up at our lake house for about two weeks. Came back today and found this puddle of oily fluid by right rear tire that I think has to be brake fluid. Only other possibility is oil from shock absorber. Been pretty cold for this area with multiple nights in single digits. Any suggestions for diagnosis before I get on the waiting list for a good repair guy?

View attachment 448522

that much brake fluid would probably make the reservoir low, also if you pull the wheel off it's going to be pretty easy to say yay/nay on the brakes
in either case you will know pretty easily
that shock does look like the culprit from this angle, too bad a new one is kinda pricey I would shoot for used if you have to replace it.

noodlesandsam2 · Jan 22, 2025

you lose that much brake fluid - which is what it looks like - and your reservoir should be empty. if it is full. then it is not bnake fluid. sniff the cap, and sniff what is on the floor - compare. It's not the cold - something failed or rusted.

OR VietVet · Jan 23, 2025

Guess: shock. What does the brake pedal feel like not running and running? Be surprised if reservoir is low.

Dawg82 · Jan 23, 2025

It is actually both rear shocks. Talked to shop and said cold temps will affect seals in older shocks. Good news is we have reasonably priced, honest mechanics here in Extreme (their new term) Western NC. Bad News is they are backed up due to demand.

It's drivable, but needs to be addressed.

OR VietVet · Jan 23, 2025

Dawg82 said:
It is actually both rear shocks. Talked to shop and said cold temps will affect seals in older shocks. Good news is we have reasonably priced, honest mechanics here in Extreme (their new term) Western NC. Bad News is they are backed up due to demand.

It's drivable, but needs to be addressed.

Kind of weird though. If leaking fluid has to go up to get out. They were leaking before parked and then gravity took over.

Fless · Jan 23, 2025

Those are self-leveling (Nivomat) rear shocks ($$) so be sure to replace them with like shocks. You can use standard shocks but should change the rear coil springs if you do that. The current springs are soft to compensate for the Nivomats.

Brake Fluid leak due to low temps?

Dawg82

TYF Newbie

Scottydoggs

Full Access Member

strutaeng

Full Access Member

Fless

Doubeleive

Wes

noodlesandsam2

Member

OR VietVet

Multnomah Falls

Dawg82

TYF Newbie

OR VietVet

Multnomah Falls

Fless

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