Brake Danger Driving To Car Show

[Subzero]

Next week my town is having a car show at the high school 18 miles away. I would really like to go but my truck shakes at 55, has a left side brake pull ( possibly from the next issue), and a axle seal leaking on the passenger side for about three weeks by next week. That makes my passenger side brake shoes greasy and not work. All my other brakes work as far as I know. I'm not sure what is causing the shake either. I don't want to risk anything driving to the show but I would really like to go. I won't have any of these issues fixed by then but if it helps any I can take some brake cleaner and spray it into the ring on the back of the wheel to try and clean it up some if that will even help. Do you think I would be taking a safety risk by driving to the show and back with these problems? Like I said I want to go but I also don't want to be stupid either LOL. The max speed I would go is 40 mph through parts of town.

[colnago]

If the brakes are iffy, I wouldn't risk it. Even if the engine blows up half-way on the drive, at least you would still be able stop. If you're going to a car show at a high school, there are going to be people all over the place. The last thing you need when some kid runs out from behind a car in the parking lot are brake problems.

Just my two cents,

Joseph

[Subzero]

Yeah youre right it it isn't worth the risk to go. I did actually drive around with the back brakes not working and the MC gone out for a month when I first got the truck. I didn't realize they were like that though. I'm so glad nothing happened. The truck does stop still just not 100%, I drove around the neighborhood slowly today just to keep the fluids turning. I'm not sure why the axle sseal isn't holding up, I've replaced the darn thing 3 times

[colnago]

Someone else just posted a problem they were having with their rear axle. I think they noticed it as a noise and not a leak, though. It ended up that they didn't add enough oil in the rear end. Maybe that's your issue as well.

Joseph

[elgemcdlf]

The main reason seals leak when related to a rotating mass is bearing problems. Doesn't matter where the seal is, engine, trans, wheel, etc. You have replaced the seal 3 times. How many times have you replaced the axle bearing?

[Subzero]

I've never replaced it but I was also told by my auto tech instructor to do the same thing this time. He also said to add a sleeve.

[Subzero]

Took the truck for its longest drive since before the seal leaked. All good news to tell. The shaking was not there anymore and the brakes work really good despite having one a little oily. Better braking power than other even older cars I'm sure. I was able to skid stop around 45 with the good back brake and fronts and stopping distance was great. I did have time and cleaned off the pads so they should be alright for a couple days atleast. I even went on the interstate after testing them and they still did fine. I checked all the horse I could see for and possible brake fluid leaks and found none. To me it seems like its ok to go as long as I'm careful now that I've tested everything.

[Subzero]

No brake problems at all. I do now have running problems just like colnago said if the engine gives you can still stop. He was right but I was only going around 5 mph when it cut out. I have put some Seafoam in the tank and hopefully it will clear up any gunk that built up while the truck was sitting causing the truck to not idle well and die.