Damage Control

I was at a buddies house and he asked me to take a ride with him in his 1950 Ford and listen for a whining sound that he couldn't place. I thought it might be the stereo grounded wrong but that wasn't it. After a short spin around the block I found the issue to be he had lost 90% of his differential fluid in the rear end. We replaced the rear seal and I filled the case back up with fluid and it seems to be running fine now.
So here is the question... is the differential and rear end fine now and no more damage needs to be worried about, or because the rear end was empty and mostly dry is it a ticking time bomb and we should pull it and rebuild it? The car drives fine now and the noise is gone, but I am wondering if the wear and tear of no fluid on the differential is going to blow up on him?

Thanks

 

It is probably ok. just keep an eye on the level, did you notice metal flakes in what was left?

 

metal shavings were minimal when I cleaned it out.

 

personally i would pull it out and check everything .20/20 hindsite is a wonderful thing
also its better to do it now than try to find a replacement on a long trip(just ask me doh!!!)

 

Drive it till it breaks!!

 

Rear ends can take a lot of abuse. The only ones I've ever flat out broke have been in race cars.

I've filled up many a gear case that were dangerously low on lube and they were fine for many miles. Light shavings are normal on old cars, anything chunky or discolored mean major damage to bearings, etc.

Toss in some Lucas lube that's made for rears if you have any concerns, and like others suggest, keep an eye on the fluid level and watch for seal leaks.

Bob

 

You should buy another complete rear that will ensure the current axle will last forever!

 

Shoul be fine. had a similer problem. Have 8,000 miles since everthing ok.

 

The best answer without a doubt. When I first put my '32 2dr on the road I had the narrowed 12 bolt in it but the front pinion bearing was bad (or so I thought). I put a new seal in and proceeded to build another rear assy to replace it when it finally gave out. That was almost 12 years ago and over 80,000 miles. Last year I pulled the rear cover off to check it out. No debris and the pinon is tight/no slop. The extra rear is going in the roadster I'm starting on so the one in the '32 will be OK until I get the roadster done...........at which time I fully expect the '32 to have the rearend fall out in a million pieces.
\
Frank

 

drive the wheels off of it, rear end in my roadster, original 32 , has been whinning for years, just checked it last week very little lub in it, filled it up now its quite and i had forgotten about it untill you guys had to bring it up!