VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 ther'isnt oil in the differential

Hi, I have just demonted the nut on the back cover of differential.
Surprise: ther'isnt oil in the differential.
How can I know if the rear axle's oil seal leaks?
Saluti dall'Italia.

Check your rear brake linings. If there is any sign of oil your axle seals are leaking. Also, since there is no oil in your differential you might want to check the ring and pinion gears for damage...especially if they have been run without oil.

The large plug near the center is for filling the differential. To check if there is any oil at all remove one of the lower bolts that holds on the cover. If no oil at all then best to do as JYD said and remove the cover and check the gears .

yeah i use the bottom bolt as the drain plug :-) my 29 was dry as well, but gears were in great shape, think the PO drained and yet to refill.

Rear End

do new gasket on the cover as well while you are there.

New Gasket

I suspect you have not taken the differential cover off before now. After inspecting the brake area and fixing any axle seal problems, I highly recommend that you take differential cover off for the following reasons:

1. To inspect the condition of the gears.

2. To scrape out any sludge and wash the diffential. I use WD40 as a cleaner.

3. Now you have peace of mind that all is well in the differential.

It is easy to make a new cover gasket. Then fill the differential with Mobil 600W.

Whenever I open up an area of my old vehicles, I try to inspect and fix everything that has become accessible.

Cheers, Dean

Thanks all.
I found the rears leafs spring dirty of oil.
About the photo of Bersfan (Rear end) I also noticed that my back cover of differential is mounted on the contrary (the nut on the my differential is muonted on the upper half).
Confirm you that the nut is on the lower half of back cover?
I hope I was understood.
Saluti dall'Italia

The plug (nut) should be in the lower half so perhaps someone mounted it upside down. When filling that would cause it to be over filled and possibly cause it to leak past the wheel seals. Remove the lower bolt, drain it if it has oil then remove the cover and clean and inspect as suggested above.

In 1953 Army mechanic school we were taught, older gears were Xtra hard (smooth) & did not lubricate well. So acids were added to the grease to put micropits in the surface & these gears nowdays last longer, so rear end grease might be better to use now days.
Question: Has anyone ever heard of this?
Dulty

Ok, tomorrow I will go to demount the back cover of differential.
I will keep informed.
Buona notte dall'Italia.

Goodnight all.
I have demonted the back cover of the differential and I have seen that there is the oil.
The differential dont is damaged.
[img]http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/a...%202_zpssqsngekc.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2[/img]

On the inside of the differential's cover I have seen another iron part.
[img]http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/a...%201_zpst1ryqz5y.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0[/img]

What purpose does it serve?
When I have demounted the back cover the iron part was down.
So when I turn the back cover to set the plug in the lower half, the iron part will be up in the differential's box.
Is it ok?
I await information.
Saliti dall'Italia

Hi Alfredodemo,

Good to hear that the differential is not damaged.
The part you see attached to the differential cover appears to be the Oil Deflector. According to the Repair Manual for the series AC (1929):

"To insure proper lubrication of the differential gears, an oil deflector has been added to the inside of the axle housing cover. The lubricant is thrown against the cover by the rotation of the gear and is then deflected into the differential gears."

The illustration with this explanation shows the deflector on the upper part of the differential housing cover.

Happy Motoring, and Saluti da America,

Dan

Sounds like you might need a repair manual for your car. If you don't have one you can get a reprint from the Filling Station. www.fillingstation.com

I can only guess that the "iron part" is to deflect the oil on to the gears. My car is a 32 and I do not remember having that part. It is best if someone with a 29 could answer your question.

The 1930 thru 1932 cars used a differential oil dipper that was attached to the differential carrier.

Thanks all.
A last question.
The stuff that I see on the leaf spring (it seems oil)could be it oil of differential leaked from oil seal of the rear axle next the wheel?
[img]http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/a...orca_zpsyn9fy9kv.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1[/img]

If so, how can I check the oil seal?
Is it difficult?
Saluti dall'Italia.

P.S. Compliments DanR for "Saluti dall'America" and for detailed response.

Do you have a repair manual for your car?

I have the 1928 and 1930 Chevrolet motor cars instructions.

Those are Owner's Manuals. You need the Repair Manual. It has a lot of information that you will need for working on your car. You can get a reprint of the Repair Manual from the Filling Station. www.fillingstation.com

What is it the item code (part number)?

The printed shop manual for 1929 is item# DG-121. Also they list DG-117 which covers 1929-1930. Also available on CD item# DG-69 which covers 1929-1933. That may be best for you as it will be less for shipping. The above is from a 2012 catalog so it may be best to check via the link above.

I have an original 1929-1930 repair manual if you interested. Better print and more legible photos then reproductions.
Regards

I sent a e.mail to filling station to know the shipping cost of one repair manual for Italy but I have not been answered.
Can someone tell me what is the most economical cost.

When you order the item online from the Filling Station it will automatically give you the shipping cost.

Not so.
Tells me: "Need a freight quote?, complete the order and request it in the Shipping Instructions section"
Then he asks me the number credit card and order confirmation but he does not tell me shipping cost.
What do I do?

The Filling Station online ordering states the following:

"Overseas orders will be shipped by U.S. Mail, United Parcel Service, BAX Global or another air freight company. All overseas orders must be pre-paid in U.S. funds. VISA, MasterCard or Discover are preferred for out of country orders."

When you place an order you will be given the opportunity to choose what type of shipping that you prefer before you pay for the order with your credit card and the cost for the various types of shipping should be listed. At that time you can select the type of shipping that you prefer and pay the total cost, including shipping, with your credit card.