Hello all.

Tonight, I just noticed a fluid leak in the garage around the rear d/s wheel. The entire inner rim & wheel well is glazed with fluid. Images attached.

"No, I wasn't armour-alling the inner tires... haha."

Anyway, This 87 Fiero GT was last driven this past Saturday. I won't be able to remove the wheel to find & repair the leaking source until this weekend. Has anyone had this happen? I am thinking seals in the calliper gone bad? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[This message has been edited by MERATIME (edited 01-31-2023).]

Never had that experience in my car, but I would guess that is brake fluid. Check your brake fluid level.

⚠️ Warning: Do Not Drive The Car. ⚠️

Yes, Brake Fluid. Look @ the rim... Some seal on the caliper leaking fluid.
Big leaks can empty the MC very fast causing little/no brakes without warning.

Must check/fill the MC Now and hope the tank isn't empty for rear because if is then MC has sucked air. Again, Air in the system causes more problems and often no brakes.

Must repair the leak and Fast.

Must Clean the Rim and Now.
Many know Brake Fluid "eat" paint. Will also "eat" alloy wheels because remove or interfere w/ finishes and oxide layer protecting the alloy and worse draw water from air to attack the alloy too.
See my Cave, Brake Fluid

For Ref: Only other thing there is Grease in the CV that sprays out on everything in line w/ leaking/blown CV boot. You won't see this on the tire.


------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 01-31-2023).]

Thank you both for your thoughts and advice. Rest assured this Fiero will not be driven until this is fixed. I bought this car in Wisconsin and noticed a lot of rust/salt underneath on visible components. The front callipers (original) were replaced 2 months ago. I plan to replace BOTH rear callipers eventhough just one had bitten the dust.

Could be the caliper, but do examine the exposed steel brake lines in that area while you're at it.

With that amount of rust, it would not surprise me if the line there developed a leak.

Thank you Arthur Peale for your comment. I will know more and update when I work on the Fiero this weekend.

UPDATE: I took theogre's advice and wiped away most of the brake fluid from the rims inside & out, tire, wheel well & suspension/ brake areas. Unfortunately, there was a minor corrosive effect in a couple of areas in the inner rim and some paint peeled off near the fender.

I also ordered today a calliper repair kit that should arrive by the end of the week.

Thank you all again for all your advice. I learned a lot from your posts and this situation. I will have another update with the repair soon.

[This message has been edited by MERATIME (edited 02-01-2023).]

One thing we should mention to a new Fiero owner; The car can be a bit confusing in the jacking and support locations.....Here is a diagram that shows the proper places- print it out and tape it up on the wall of your garage. (I always lower the car onto the stands, but leave the jack within a 1/2", and then shake the car to make sure it is solidly supported)

[This message has been edited by cvxjet (edited 02-01-2023).]

Yea, don't get under a car w/ any OE jacks. Made only to change a tire a few times in it's life.
When you have to use them, inspect very carefully before and after use.

In Fiero and some others, The screw can/will wear down the threads, more so if dirty or have no lube. Compare the screw at ends and middle. Should look same along the length. If not jack is worn and Don't use.

Screw wears slower then the "nut" part and nut can be very worn when you see damage/wear on the screw.

Do Not use any aftermarket screw/scissor jacks to work on cars for same reasons and more. #1 is many a made very cheap and foot or top can bend causing problems on top of screw wear.

Above image from my Cave, Safe Jacking

As to Caliper Rebuild... Often won't help because of hidden seal inside the piston has failed. Not made to fix it no matter what "internet" claim otherwise.
See my Cave, Rear Piston notes and other brake pages.

Thanks guys for the lifting chart for the Fiero. I meant to say that I ordered the new callipers / repair kit which is being delivered. Hopefully installed this weekend. I appreciate all your support folks!

[This message has been edited by MERATIME (edited 02-02-2023).]

You're welcome. So, where was the leak exactly?

quote Originally posted by cyrus88: You're welcome. So, where was the leak exactly?

The piston was bad. Brake fluid gushed out of that area of the calliper during removal.

[This message has been edited by MERATIME (edited 02-03-2023).]

quote Originally posted by MERATIME: The piston was bad. Brake fluid gushed out of that area of the calliper during removal.

Crazy. I'm assuming the seals are original.

I'd still closely examine the steel brake lines, if they're very rusty one hard stomp on the pedal and you are likely to have a blowout

You should really scrub the tire with soap and water. The solvents in the brake fluid are eating into the rubber.