Grease On Front Wheel - Bearings?

[neils]

Hi,

I was washing the car at the weekend and found grease all over the outside of the passenger side front wheel. Didn't get a chance to look further due to the weather but assumed it would be a burst CV boot. Finally had a look and the boot is perfect and there is no grease on the inside of the wheel or anywhere else, just the outside face. Couldn't think where else it could have come from so popped the centre cap off, not sure if it's any more greasy than normal but I noticed marks around the centre bolt. There's slightly polished clean bits as can be seen in the photo as if there's been movement. I can't feel any movement, the bolt is tight and can't think of any reason that would have been a tool used on it recently. Should I be worried?

Any advice much appreciated.

Cheers...

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[johnnyroper]

Very odd..... did you jack up and check for movement?

[neils]

Yes, I jacked it up and tried wiggling it but couldn't feel any movement.

[Chrispb]

Could be someone has overdone it when greasing the splines on reassembly but could also be the seals in the bearing in which case it's only a matter of time before road dirt and water get into the bearing
As for the shiny marks for safety and peace of mind remove the bolt and see whats occurring in there. 

[johnnyroper]

Thinking about it over greasing of splines is more feasible than bearing due to the set up. The bearing is housed in hub and then the flange is pressed in so if bearing was leaking grease it would expel out behind the flange so would be visible at rear of whee and not the front.

[insanitybeard]

Also don't forget that the outer CV joint stub that engages into the hub is hollow where the hub bolt threads into it, therefore if the vehicle has been run previously with the bolt loose then grease could slowly make it's way down the thread- although any loss in this way would be minimal I would think as it's grease, not oil after all so it's not going to flow as freely as oil would, even if it is fairly thin grease.

Have you owned the vehicle for long? Has it had any work done on it recently?

[neils]

I've had it about 8 months and have had a bit of work done in that area.

It's had ball joints, track rod end, wishbone bushes, and strut mount replaced. This was all to cure an intermittent steering wobble which has improved but is still there. Wobble intensity varies and happens at various speeds.

[Chrispb]

The work you already had done would certainly involve removing the hub bolt.
Have you used this garage for work previously? do you trust there work.
These cars do suffer inner cv joint failure normally through lack of grease in the joint or failed gaiter letting in road dirt and water this can give both wobble and vibration.

[neils]

Thanks for the replies.

I've had it checked by a mechanic and he can't find anything wrong or explain the grease.

I'll keep an eye on it and hope for the best.

Cheers...