My Brother in Law, wrecked my 98 Explorer 400. He (with my Daughter on it) ran it up on a big rock, and it rolled of on the left side landing on the left side bending the front rim (My Daughter is fine, Luckly for my brother-in-law). I replaced the front rim, and now when riding it I hear a clunking coming from the area. I looked and the brake pads are worn and that has caused a similar sound in the past as they have worn out before. However when looking at the pads, I noticed that there was "oil" around the hub and on the new rim. I can't see any cracks in the hub, or tell where it is leaking from. Anyone have similar problems?, or have suggestions????

 

hub bent? or cracked.....causing the leaking oil??

 

Brake line leaking?

 

The clicking sound is a bent rotor causng the caliper to jump left to right - I have seen it before . Those rotors bend like butter . The oil leak is from the *axle* in the hub being bent . The axle is not centered in the middle anymore - this is not allowing the seal to do its job . There is a gap - or - not suffient pressure on the seal to seal against the hub .

Fixing it isn't to big of a deal , but the problem is resisting the urge to be saying bad words about your bro in law while you are doing the job . You may not want to have him on the premises while you are working on it and having big wrenches in your hands .

Glad no one got hurt -
Rick Ritter

 

Why isn't the brother in law paying to fix it?