VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Grease Fitting

When I was changing the gear lube in the transmission I noticed an Alemite grease fitting on the tail end of the transmission where it connects to the drive shaft. This fitting does not appear in the 1931 manual or on the 1931Chevrolet website, unless I missed it.
Is it original or was it added later?

The Alemite fitting was added later. Originally, there was a 1/8" pipe plug at that location.

Thanks.
Jim g

Glad to help.

JYD did not mention it is for filing the U-Joint case with 4oz of 600W oil.

That would be for filling after the Ujoint ball was taken apart and reassembled. It self refills from the transmission after that. Not necessary to add after that.

If a double sealed rear bearing is used in the rear of the transmission then the 4 ounce oil level in the U joint ball retainer will have to be maintained manually.

I do not recommend the double sealed bearing. If used there is no way for venting of the U joint area so pressure will build and cause a leak. I have the sealed bearing in my 32 and there is no way for the oil to seek its correct level after pre-filling and no way to check the level other than draining and adding the 4 ounces required.

I agree also. A single sealed bearing on the input shaft is a good idea but any seal on the rear bearing is just asking for trouble.

I also agree. For those of us that have an open rear bearing in the transmission the oil level in the U joint ball retainer will be metered by the oil coming from the transmission so only a one time "fill" will be necessary. However, for those fellows that have used a double sealed rear bearing they will have to manually maintain the oil level in the U joint ball retainer on a constant basis.

Those of you that have used a double sealed rear bearing, even though it is not recommended that a double sealed bearing be installed in that application for the reasons listed previously, keep in mind that your vintage Chevrolets are not normally used for basic daily transportation with thousands of miles put on the vehicle every year like when they were new. Since many dudes only drive their cars a few hundred miles a year having a double sealed bearing may not cause you any issues unless you drive a lot of miles on a regular basis. If you have an upgraded neoprene torque tube seal installed that will help greatly too. However, you will still have to manually maintain a constant oil level in the U joint ball retainer.

If you are concerned you can replace the double sealed rear bearing with an open bearing like the one that was used originally.

Or just pull the seals out.....they are very easy to pop out.