VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Torgue tube slip joint leak?

I finally got the Chevy on the road this weekend :) :) The only issue aside for the temp problem is a leak in the torque tube. It is driping gear oil from the slip joint.

I did some searches on replacing the seal, but I am not really clear on how hard this will be. It looks like it be more involved than I think.
It looks like I can remove the 4 bolt that hold the U joint cover to the trany, and release the U joint from the drive shaft and slide in the new seal? Does this sound close?

Thanks,

Jim

Are you talking about a leak at the back of the U Joint Ball itself where it rides on the torque tube? :confused: :confused: :confused:

Yes. It looks like it is dripping past the Universal joint ball packing washer. At least that's what my manual calls it.

Not a problem! Read your shop manual and it will give you instructions on how to disassemble the U Joint.

After you have removed the U Joint Ball assembly, take a look at the back end of the U Joint Ball. You will see a cork seal sandwiched between two metal washers. Dig out the old cork seal and make the area super clean. Then get a National "O" Ring number 327 and put it between the two metal washers. Slide the U Joint Ball back onto your torque tube and then reinstall the U Joint and U Joint Ball assemblies. You are ready to go!

Also, check the amount of oil in the U Joint Ball retainer. You should only have a 1/2 pint or less.

Skipper if I am not mastaken you did a whole how to article in a back edition of the G & D on this very subject at the moment the issue date eludes me.

The articles were in the June, 1986 and the March, 1987 issues of the G&D.

I replaced the seals this weekend. It wasn't to bad. Well after I realized that having the jack stands under the rear axle would prevent it from rotating so I could remove the Ball assy. Once I moved the jack stands, and part of the brake system that is just below the torque tube, it came right out. I would almost say it was easy.

I did have a couple of questions left. How do I confirm that the gear oil is getting in to the U-joint? I refilled the gear box, but I did not see a place to add oil to the U-joint. When I removed the Ball Assy. it had about 1/2 pint of gear oil, and it was clean. I assume from when I changed the oil in the gear box over the winter.

Also the armored cable for the speed-o-meter was leaking. There is a bend, and the cable almost looks split. Is there a source for a new cable? I used a piece of hose and split it then wrapped it around the cable securing it with 2 hose clamps. That at least will reduce the leak, and add strength to the cable.

Skip, thanks again for the help. I am going to try and track down the articles from the G

At the top of the cast iron U joint ball retainer is a pipe plug (it may have been replaced with a grease fitting). Remove the plug and add 1/2 pint of transmission fluid if the U joint ball retainer is empty. Sounds like you had the right amount of tranny fluid in there already when you removed the U joint ball.

On the speedo cable, you will have to find a used one. Most of them leak at the bend near the transmission, especially if the U joint ball retainer has too much oil.

Thanks, I'll check tonight.

Found it. There was a grease fitting there. I removed it, and added about a 1/2 pint. I drove it and no leaks or vibrarions.

My hose around the speedo cable seems to be holding. I will look for a used cable to replace it. Should be ready for the 140 mile round trip to Rhinebeck this weekend.

Thanks again for the information. It sure does
help!!

Jim

Cool! Glad to help out!

JYD, Is the "O" ring you use for a 32 torque tube slide seal the National dash 327 o ring that is 1.75"x2.13" and 0.19" inches wide (1 3/4" X 2 1/8" and 3/16")?
and did you fit this size by trial and error or use the torque tube O.D? I was trying to fit an o ring to a 50 to 54 torque tube.
Thanks..

As I remember, I used the measurements of the old cork seal and found that the National 327 was about the right size for 1929-32.

I bet that method will work for me too, thanks.....

Hi Pumpkinj,
You can also likely find a speedometer shop in your area that can make up new cables and housings that will cure the leak. They may be smaller in size but can be covered in a hose to give the same appearance.
Herb