Oil/Grease on front Wheel + Rattle

[nickh_s]

Hi folks.

Noticed something unusual on my MY03 LC and wondering if it's something to worry about...
There was a spot of thick black oil or grease (about the size of a 2p piece) on the near side front wheel when i cleaned it a couple of weeks ago.

I thought nothing of it but noticed yesterday that there are 3 new 'blobs' on the front wheel and also noticed a fairly loud rattle coming from the nearside front when i started the car and engine was ticking over.
It was dark and wet so i couldn't locate the source of either the oil or the noise (the noise went away once i got moving).

Is there anything specific I should look for when i try and locate the source of oil/noise..?

 

[Jonny_Paul]

you need to find out if its oil or grease, as if its grease i would say the position of it is CV boot split, but this wouldnt cause a noise while idling!

If its oil...in that position on the n/s im not too sure, possible drive shaft oil seal?? The noise could be low gearbox oil level?? id expect alot more oil there though if your getting a noise there when starting it up, and youd find difficulty changing gears etc

 

[nickh_s]

Cheers mate - Rattle seems to have gone but I had a quick look behind wheel by torchlight and reckon you are right about the CV Boot.

It's deffo grease - there's a few splats around the suspension and a small 'pile' of it on the bottom wishbone. Couldn't actually see any split but i didn't look too hard and didn't want to get dirty.

It was MOT'd about 10 days ago - should they have noticed it? - or could they even have have caused it while checking? And anyone got an idea what it'll cost to replace?

thanks again