VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Rear axle oil deflectors

Hey guys. Been working on the rear axle on me 40 master 85. I found that one oil deflector is all tore up and the other missing. I've looked at all the parts sites including the corvette sites which are supposedly the same on the early models. Anyone know where I can locate them. This is a hard item to fabricate myself. Thanks Cliff

Hi Cliff,
I believe the part number is 5.392. I have two. The inner ID is 1 5/8, the OD is about 2 3/8.



If you want to purchase them I have sent you a PM with the info.

Thanks, Mike

Would someone kindly verify the info in the above post? The online parts catalog says the reflector is the same from 36-54 except for FA and FD 1936 models. It does give a different OD number. My reflectors are all around 2 7/16 OD. The parts catalog says they should be 3 and a fraction I can not read.

Thanks, Mike

I have parted out atleast 3 rear axles from the 40's and all have had the same size reflectors.

Hi Mike. I hope I'm describing the right item. This is a cap, for lack of a better word, that goes on the end of the differential housing. After installing the oil seal. Then the shaft goes in. I've looked on the master parts list but I don't see it there. Of course it could be me. Any help is appreciated. Thanks. Cliff

I know I'm probably frustrating you guys along with myself. I'm now assuming it must be a retainer that you tap on last after the oil seal. Whatever that is, that's what I'm looking for which I assume keeps the bearing and seal in place. Please ignore my ignorance but how the parts are in my old rear isn't like the picture. It's in a different order. Thanks. Cliff

I think the part needed is in group 5.392, part
# 476700 deflector. Later book shows newer part # 3694711 and gives demensions as 1 5/8' ID and 3 1/32' OD.
Fit 1936 Standard and 1937-1954 cars.
Demensions may have been changed slightly.
Also picture shows it goes in BEFORE bearing.

Hi Cliff,

Here is a picture of the rear axle parts from the online parts catalog. Please indicate what part you need. The picture shows two deflectors one is PN 5.392 the other is PN 5.815

Thanks, Mike

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/parts/1929_54/330a.htm

Hi Mike. The part 5.816 is a retainer that is taped in after the oil seal. Am I correct on this. I'm looking at the diagram and thought it was out of order. My rear been tore apart by po and the oil deflector was between the bearing and the seal. I think I need the retainer that I'm assuming goes on last. I hope im making my self clear. Not much smarter than a stick. Thanks guys. Cliff

Hi Cliff,

Here is a picture of the reflector on the axle shaft. On the end of the housing the seal is the last part installed. Nothing comes between the seal and what you see in my last picture. Modern seals do not take up as much room as the original seals did. It is common to have about a 1/4 inch of space at the end of the housing and the seal. Original seals were about 3/8 to 1/2 of an inch wide.

The sequence of parts at the end of the housing are first the large washer called a reflector, then the race (bearing), and last the seal. All these parts are compressed tightly together(no space between them) into the housing. I use a hammer and a very large socket to drive the seal tightly in place. You don't need much force to do this. Light tapping slowly gets the job done. You do not want to deform the seal. The oil seal is the retainer for all the parts.

Good luck, Mike

P.S. The nasty looking white flakes on the axle shaft is SNOW.

To replace that deflector it will be necessary to press out the wheel studs. Once pressed out they can not be reused so new ones will need to be used.

Hi Mike. Thank you very much. It's just a wealth of info for me. It's greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone. I'm on vacation for two weeks starting Sat so I won't be a pita to everyone. Cliff

You are confusing group numbers with part numbers.

Part numbers are within group numbers, but you are referring to group numbers as part numbers.