Reproduction Parts for 1916-1964 Chevrolet Passenger Cars & 1918-1987 Chevrolet & GMC Trucks


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#390931 06/19/17 08:58 AM
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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So after 8 months of mechanical restoration, I drove my 1941 Master Deluxe for the third time ever, and first time in a long time. I put about 80 miles on it, and then brought it home to investigate all of the gremlins. One particularly frustrating gremlin is gear oil which was seeping from the left rear axle.

I had replaced the oakie bushing and the axle seals. any thoughts on why I may be having an issue? The leak appears to be coming from the little drain hole in the axle. I checked the fluid level in the rear and it is slightly low (makes me think it is not the oakie). Is it likely that I tore the axle seal on installation?

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..yes...or improperly installed like backwards.


Gene Schneider
Chev Nut #390943 06/19/17 10:47 AM
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How can I tell if I installed backwards? Should the lip of the seal bevel inwards or outwards? Which side should the part with the little spring be on?

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The lip always goes towards the gear oil.


Gene Schneider
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Like Gene aid the lip goes to the oil. If you can see a spring it also should go to the oil.
Tony


1938 1/2 ton Hope to drive it before I retire
tonyw #391276 06/26/17 08:41 AM
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It is possible that the leak is not on the axle-seal joint, but where the seal outside sits in the axle. I have had one where there was a score line on the inside surface of the axle, and oil was weeping past it and dripping out the "vent" hole. Took the seal out, cleaned up the scratch with 1200grit, degreased the surface and re-installed the seal with a smear of silicon between the seal and the housing. So far so good.

47Aero #391361 06/27/17 08:14 AM
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Now that I have the axle out again, I think that is my issue. My seal looks perfect and is installed correctly. I have a deep groove in the axle shaft from where the old seal must have ridden. I am now tempted to try and install the seal just a little deeper to get it off of the groove. Does anybody know if somebody sells a sleeve kit for these axles? I have even thought about trying to find a different brand of seal so it will land in a different spot. Or another option I'm considering is JB Weld to fill the groove, then sand it finishing with 1200 grit to get a new smooth surface.

Any thoughts?

Last edited by MoonshineMachine; 06/27/17 08:14 AM.
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If you have a bearing supplier locally, get the O.D. measurement of the shaft, the length needed to fix and the seal number and ask the supplier for a "Redi-Sleeve". If no supplier handy, google "seal wear sleeve" and you'll find a host of them available in all sizes.

The sleeves are thin walled cylindrical stainless steel sleeve, which press on and cover the damaged area where the seal rides. I've used them often to repair worn or damaged surfaces on crankshaft snouts, transmission input shafts and axle seal journals. They work great - easy fix.

Last edited by Bowtie Bob; 06/27/17 11:42 AM.

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I would check that the rear axle vent cap is still loose.The fitting cannot be removed but the cap should turn and have some play.

wannchev #393204 08/03/17 12:42 PM
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To wrap up the thread, I wanted to provide my final fix and results. I looked at the axle more and determined that the wear was very minimal on the shaft. I had looked into the sleeves but they were rather expensive and I felt the wear should not be causing such a significant leak. I used 1500 then 2000 grit sandpaper to smooth the shaft some (very light sanding). I then installed a new seal, but left it about 1/16 of an inch out from where I had seated the last one. My measurements showed that this would still leave plenty of clearance while still nearly fully seating the seal. I also used a very thin layer of Permatex on the outside of the seal. This has solved the problem. I have about 200 miles on the fix with no evidence of any leaking. Thank you all for your advice.

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MM,

Check the differnetial for over-fill. Drain it now and then so that you can just touch the lubricant with a hooked finger through the top plug.

Generally the differential gets too full and the transmission gets too low. It should just run out of the transmission and at a finger touch in the differential.

Good luck,
Charlie computer


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