I have a ford 9 inch (I believe is out of a 72 van, 68inch wide). It was an old axle that was sitting outside that I had to redo. I put in new axle bearings and seals. Also a new vent tube breather ( which is only a few inches long and is not clogged. When I drive the car I end up with gear oil leaking from the passenger side and it sprays all over the rear side of the car. If I blow into the vent tube I get back pressure but slowly can hear air coming from the pass side of the car. What should I do to fix this? thanks in advance
The axle on the right side could be scored or pitted where it rides against the seal or you could have a bad seal. Axle isn't overfull?
well, sad news is, you need to pull it apart and install a new seal. sorry to say it, but that is more than likely going to be your only option. when i built the willys, i rebuilt the 8.8" after i had welded all the mounts on the tube, and first time out around the block i had oil all over the inside of the wheel and tire and all over the frame rail as well... either i did not get the seal seated right in the tube, or the seal was bad to start with, but either way, it happens.
It was ok for the summer last year but now it starting to leak every time I take it out. Maybe I could try a new axle seal and bearing
the bearing is not going to be bad unless you ran it hot due to a low oil level... dont replace what dont need replaced, specially if you just installed new ones... however, it does sound like your axle may need some attention with a piece of emery cloth before you slide it back into the housing.
My buddy Joe had that problem. We found that the seals we were installings had been seated to far inboard into the tube. After seating them flush with the face they quit leaking. But it worked ???????????
i had a sim.problem.all i did was pull the axle clean everything up and put some ultra copper around the bearring and seal.let it sit for a day or two,fill up and hopefully its fixed.it worked for me.
the bearing and seal are all one piece. it all gets pressed onto the axle then the donut is pressed on after, then put in the axle tube.
There are 2 different types. Sounds like the OP has the Set 20 tapered roller bearings, which were mostly used on trucks and vans for superior load carrying ability. Most cars had ball bearings with a separate seal. Seal for sealed ball bearing. No gear lube gets to the bearing. Set 20 bearing and seal. This bearing is not sealed, but lubed by the axle/gear lube. The seal rides a different area, outside the bearing, so the axle needs to match the bearing/seal type.
I have the set 20 type, now I pulled out the axle and am wondering if I should try to pull the bearing and retainer off? and how to do that? or should I just cut it off?
if im not mistaking the bearing is pressed on the axle.im sure you could come up with a way to press it off.just be carfull presssing it back on.
Once you go to the trouble of taking it off I wouldn't reuse it. Too much trouble and work to chance putting the old bearing and seal back on.
X2. Once it is pressed on, (then off) if it pressed on again, you are liable to spit the axle out. (ask me how I know...and why not to do the job on Sunday in a stupid town where everything automotive is closed, and then, "aw hell, it'll work...") It didn't, and provokes a story: My little 4-year old daughter was with me, in my '63-1/2 Galaxie (#1, I have others) I turned a corner, and heard the right rear tire contact the fender...then discovered I had No BRAKES, pedal went to the floor...E-brake was also inop, I told daughter Amy to hold on, I was going to have to stop the car and the emergency brake wasn't working. She said, "Some emergency brake..." (precocious child) I was just about to the crest of the railroad crossing, just before the tracks...I stepped out as the car stopped rolling, and grabbed the steering wheel to back it off to the side, where I ran the tire into a driveway curb of a business. A bud of mine was across the street in his Chev Cameo. He said he would have helped, but was having too much fun watching....he gave us a ride home, and I called my pal with the rollback truck...I asked him to bring it home for me, but to take the other street in so my friends and neighbors didn't see "THE FORD" getting towed home... About 20 minutes later, I heard the blasts from recovery horns, seemed like they were all over the neighborhood. I went outside, and Steve the tow truck guy had circled my block twice, honking his horn so all my Chevy neighbors would see my Galaxie on the 'hook'... Much laughter, sorry for the story...just make sure you install a new bearing!
They make a nice inner axle seal that you can order through Jegs. I have a few friends that run roundy round cars and thats what they use. They are about $25 per side.
I pulled all the old bearing, retainer and seal off and replaced it with a new one. Drove it a few times and so far no leaks.
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