Baggerz said:

Hi all,



Wondering if someone can help?



Noticed a damp patch under driver side front wheel when leaving the drive (partners car and don’t see off drive much).



Looked under the car and can’t see any dripping, but the area around the wheel Looks greasey/oiley.



Looking under the wheel arch, I can see it’s ‘wet’ around the springs/absorbers, so I’m thinking I’ve got a leaking shock absorber?



There are no errors on the dash suggesting low levels on anything and I can’t really say there’s a strong smell around the patch of petrol etc.



It’s a Panda Active 2004, around 55000 miles and don’t think the shocks have ever been changed, we live in a heavily speed bumped area too.



I’ve attached some photos, do you guys think this is right or is it something else?



Many thank in advance

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portland_bill said:

From the pics, I'm not sure it is the damper. All the oil appears to be below the spring pan, and a normally leaking damper would leak above the spring pan. It would of course eventually spill over the top.
The inner wing seems to have a stain, suggesting a splash.
The driveshaft is also wet.
But, the CV gaiter appears dry. So apparently not a split gaiter, but worth flexing to have a good look.
Check all along the driveshaft, to the gearbox. Might be gearbox oil running along the shaft and flinging as it rotates.
The diff seal that side sits above the exhaust, so it gets hotter than the left one. On mine this cooked it, although this did take 10 years. Replacing the seal is difficult, as when levering it out, the exhaust gets in the way. Of course, once the shaft is removed to replace the seal, all the gearbox oil will pour out, so drain it first, and get new. If this is the problem, will require some swearing, but otherwise not too difficult. Ensure vehicle safely supported before crawling underneath.

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