Axle damage?

invuk

I noticed some kind of leak, possibly oil, on the drive earlier which I have not seen before. I looked under the car and it appears to be coming from near the right wheel. I notice there is what appears a crack on the axle (I think this is what it's called). Just wondered if anyone could work out what the damage is from the photo and if so what the estimated cost of repair would be? TIA.

facade

I would say that the crack is just in the paint/rust. The leak is coming from the pipework above and dripping down- possibly brake fluid. I'd check the brake fluid level, and if it is going down, get it checked and sorted out.

I'm not sure, as the main source seems to be the rubber tube above the brake hose, I would think that is the wire to the abs sensor, and I can't see how it could leak any fluid. BUT it could be squirting upwards from the pipe when the brake is applied. Get someone to hold the brake pedal down whilst you have a look at that pipe. If you see liquid coming out then it is brake fluid, and you have a serious problem- loss of brake fluid will result in brake failure.

The source could be something higher up than that rubber tube.

If it were oil coming out of the driveshaft, there would be a stripe all around the wheelarch flung off as it went round.

invuk

I will have a look another look at this in the morning. I don't really have anyone to ask to hold the brake pedal down for me so will probably call a mechanic out on Tuesday.

MinuteNoodles

It looks very suspiciously like it's coming from the brake flexi hose. You don't need anyone to hold down the brake pedal. Get some tissue or kitchen roll and thoroughly dry the rubber hose and the wire below it. Get some fresh tissue/kitchen roll and wrap it around the hose. The go and press the brake pedal several times as hard as you can ideally with the engine running. Come back, take it off. If it's anything other than bone dry you've got a problem and it needs addressing before you go anywhere in it. Also check the brake fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir.

AdrianC

Is this the side with the fuel filler?

invuk

It's a VW Golf (latest model) but about 12 years old. The leak is under the front right wheel and immediately above is the brake fluid reservoir. I checked this earlier and it was full (almost overflowing). I'm not sure what the fuel filter looks like. I will have a good look in the morning. The drive has two stains from when parked from two separate journeys. I have driven on an uneven car park in the last couple of days which I have not used before. There were even tree branches in some parts of the car park. I imagine this is where the damage was caused.

KimJongUn88

Latest model Golf but 12 years old?

AdrianC

Indeed. 2008 would be (most likely) Mk5, perhaps Mk6. Mk8 has just been launched.

Sorry, I said "filler" - somehow, I picked up that it was a rear. Being a front massively increases the potential sources of a leak.

invuk

I can confirm it is MK6. I didn't realise there was a MK7 and MK8.

invuk

Thanks for the comments and tips so far!  
I have just had another look and am still none the wiser! The brake fluid reservoir is full although is immediately above the  leak? I cleaned the brake hose and turned the engine on and then pressed the brake pedal a few times as hard as I could. I then checked the brake hose again but there was nothing on it. I did notice there is a lot of oil/moisture coming from the suspension could this be the cause?

facade

Reach inside the spring, and lift up that central concertina rubber boot, if there is oil behind it then you have a leaky shock absorber, and you can book it in for a new one- or a pair as everyone will try and sell you.

Be careful reaching inside the spring, if it should choose that moment to snap it will cut your fingers off- extremely unlikely, but it could happen, it would be a good idea to get the jack out and lift the car slightly to make the spring longer, and take the weight if it should snap.

(The brake hose is the thick one with the ribs down it on the left of your picture, the smooth tube on the right of it is wiring to the abs sensor)