Symptoms
- Thick, dark grease splattered on the inside of a wheel, wheel well, or lower control arm area
- Possible clicking or popping noise when turning, especially at low speed
- No large puddle under the car, since the grease tends to fling around rather than drip and pool
- Grease visible directly on a torn rubber boot near the wheel
Likely causes
- CommonTorn or cracked CV (constant velocity) axle bootThe rubber boot protecting the CV joint cracks with age or gets torn by road debris, letting grease escape and dirt/water enter, which accelerates joint wear.
- PossibleLoose or broken boot clampEven without a torn boot, a loose clamp can let grease seep out at the boot's edge.
What to do
- Turn the steering wheel fully to one side and visually inspect each CV boot (the rubber, accordion-like cover near where the axle meets the wheel hub) for tears, cracks, or grease splatter around it.
- Check for grease flung onto the inside of the wheel, tire, or nearby suspension components, which usually indicates the source axle.
- Listen for a clicking or popping sound while turning at low speed (like in a parking lot), which often develops once the joint has been running dry or contaminated for a while.
- Replace the torn boot promptly (or the full CV axle, which is common since boots are sometimes not sold separately with fresh grease) before the joint itself wears out from lost lubrication and contamination.
- Avoid delaying this repair, since a full CV joint replacement is more expensive than replacing just the boot before serious wear occurs.
Tools and parts
- Jack and jack stands
CV axle boot kit or complete CV axle for your vehicleSearch: “CV axle boot kit”
When to call a pro
See a mechanic if you hear clicking or popping while turning, since the CV joint itself may already be wearing and need full axle replacement rather than just a boot.
Safety
Use caution
Always use proper jack stands, never rely on a jack alone, when working underneath the car.