VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1933-1936 '36 Master rear axle seal

Does anyone know the size of the seal for the rear axle at the wheel bearings? I got a 2 3\4 by 1 7\8 seal from FS but it is loose in the housing (OD too small) GM part 592441 Thanks

592441 is the correct part number for a 1933-1936 Master and 1/2 ton trucks up through 1959.
You might try NAPA asking for a seal for a 1959 1/2 ton truck without positraction (was different).

wannchev,

The seal you are seeking is SKF 15557, readily available from any bearing supplier.

It seems that before buying these kinds of parts from specialized suppliers of restoration parts it is often worthwhile checking current catalogs for product availability.

I don't know what FS charges for that seal or whether it's from China but there is a listing on ebay right now for the genuine SKF 15557 for $5.50, although postage doubles that cost. You'd probably get more bang for your buck at the local bearing or auto parts supplier.

To look up bearing and seal numbers all that is required is a catalog. A local bearing supplier gave me some old catalogs that he was about to discard. Now knowing shaft and bore sizes I can look up seal and bearing part numbers. That makes finding bearings and seals very easy.

Ray W

Thanks Gene and Ray

I recently put new bearings and seals in the rear of my 38 and I had trouble finding the seals 2 25/32" outside. I eventually found something suitable and it is all together. It was nearly a case packing the housing to hold the 2 3/4" seal.
Tony

"Thanks Gene and Ray"

Wannchev,

You're very welcome. There are a few guys on this forum who are true inventors. Right now Kevin Smith in Australia is puzzling out how to put a modern bearing and seals in a '36 Chevy water pump. He's already done it on other antique car & truck water pumps. I'm very interested to learn what he figures out. Again, it's a matter of knowing the dimensions of the required part and finding it in a bearing catalog.

Those projects keep owning the same antique for decades interesting. In my case, I was told that changing the rear gear ratio in my '36 PU "can't be done". That's a hard sell now that I've done it. If you haven't seen it, you may find the story of how it was done an interersting read:

https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/334876/1936_Chevy_3.55_rear_gear_conv


"I recently put new bearings and seals in the rear of my 38 and I had trouble finding the seals 2 25/32" outside. I eventually found something suitable and it is all together. It was nearly a case packing the housing to hold the 2 3/4" seal."

Tony,

I'm not a professional mechanic but I've been interested in the car hobby for over 50 years, doing all my own wrenching. In that time I've found that most bearings and seals are metric, a few are inch, and some are a combination of the two systems on the ID and OD. My 1950s Craftsman drill press spindle is an example of the latter. The bearing OD is 35mm and the ID is 5/8". That is a rare bearing that was impossible to find for decades but is now being repopped in China. It's probably a piece of junk like almost everything from China but is better than no bearings at all.

Ray W

Ray, I read your article on your '36 pickup axle conversion, very good photos and well described.
The SKF 15557 seal on e-bay is it 2 25\32" ? I dont have access to NAPA or any seal catalogues. Cant get this seal here. AS you say a metric seal has an OD of 70mm and is still a loose fit in the housing. I glued one in but eventually the oil leaks out onto the brake linings and wheel.

"Ray, I read your article on your '36 pickup axle conversion, very good photos and well described."

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

"The SKF 15557 seal on e-bay is it 2 25\32" ?"

You can probably "google" its dimensions. I'm computer illiterate so I prefer paper catalogs.

Ray W

The seal for the rear axle is 2 25\32". I found some seals, picked the best one and cut off 1\8" of seal spring. Tapped in axle end nicely. Now to see if it leaks!