VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 32 rear axle inner seal leaking problem

I just replaced both the inner and out rear axle seals on my 32 chevy roadster and the inner seal is leaking oil. The seal came from The Filling Station and I made sure the seal kit was for early 32 models which used a smaller axle at the threads (has a 3/4" nut) and has the smaller outer seal. The inner seal is supposed to use the same AF-506 (Filling Station part number) for both the early 32 small axle and the 32 larger axle.
The problem I have is the inner seal is still leaking oil. I once again removed the axle to inspect the inner seal and discovered the inner seal neoprene does not make contact with the axle shaft (the seal fits loosely around the shaft)
If it does not fit snuggling around the shaft I do not see how it can prevent the oil from leaking out.
Any advice, has anyone else had this problem with the seal kit from the filling station?
Urgent assistance needed.
Thanks,

You might want to try a “Speedee-sleeve”. That is a thin steel sleeve that fits over the shaft and provides a slightly larger outside diameter and a smooth surface for the seal to run against.

Call the FS and talk with Steve and explain the issue. While the speedy sleeve may remedy the issue it's possible that the seal they sent is incorrect. You will need to have the actual number off the seal.

did someone make axles or machine them down or worn down some how ? maybe measure OD if you can with calipers or micrometers just to be safe you never know what a previous owner did ??

also agree with Steve, check and see if there are numbers on the seals. odd they would be loose as it seems the inner portion of the shaft is a larger OD then the outer !!


looking at TFS website did you buy the KIT

they list 2 kits one being AF-506SM which is kit for small axle ?? Small axle diameter at hub 1.275 with 3/4" nut, has it has 2 INNER seals AF-506 then 2 OUTER seals RW-41 shaft measures 1.033" plus two outer seal retainer gaskets (G-5547)

they also make the Large Axle KIT AF-506LG Large axle diameter at hub is 1.375, with 13/16" nut, it has 2 INNER seals AF-506 then 2 OUTER seals RW-41 shaft measures 1.127" plus two outer seal retainer gaskets (G-5547)

you can also order JUST the seals and gaskets individually if needed. looks like either axle uses the same inner seals and gaskets but different outer seals due to diametrical difference.

I believe I have discovered the problem with the size of the INNER SEAL being too large. I pulled both axle's and measured the SPLINE end and discovered the diameter is 1.225" which would correspond to the size of the 1930-1931axle shaft which is slightly smaller than the 1932+ shafts. The means the inner seal required for the shaft is the AF-82 from the Filling Station.
I will install the smaller inner seal and hopefully solve the problem.

I have solved the problem with the AF-82 inner seal. It makes me wonder if my 1932 Chevy Roadster is really a 31' or if it was simply produced with the 31 axle shaft.

There are early and late 1932 rear axles. The earlier one uses a 3/4" axle nut and the later 13/16" axle nut. The apparently reinforced the early axles to better handle the increased horsepower engine.