Hot Rods Ever had a 9" leaking due to rust?

So I opened the door up in the shop and saw a small spot under the rear ended of my 61.. Thought ok gotta change a pinion seal...no biggie. Then I got under there with a light and saw the picture below....the car is super solid...can't believe a 9" housing would rot out..gotta get it up in the air, clean it off, and evaluate the situation.....and hope it's an easy fix...anyone else ever see this before? I wonder if I clean it up good if I can braze it or weld up any hole or weld that may be there

 

probably leaking out the welded on cover - some did when new

 

JB Weld to the rescue

 

Yep, you don't really have a major problem, just a pinhole in the weld. Clean the snot out of it, find the pinhole, then a spot weld should fix it....

 

OR, go with NHRA's method to keep engine oil off the track when one lefts go; use a DIAPER (tongue-in-cheek)! Seriously, the guys have the answer; clean it really well, and weld the spot that it's leaking from. A muffler shop should be able to fix you up if you don't have the equipment. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

Well they are just made out of sheet metal. I got a '58 Case hanging on the wall that will get to the leaking stage soon if I don't get after it with the wire brush and paint it.

 

That pattern seems sort of strange to me. I wouldn't have thought a leak down low would wick upwards that much. On the other hand, if the leak is higher up, the highest point of the wet area seems higher than the correct oil level..........

Ray

 

I've had a bunch of Ford 9" rear axles and never seen one leak like that. HRP

 

It's not all that common, but I have seen them... As to the 'level', remember that in operation that gear lube is getting slung all over inside that housing so if you have a pinhole anywhere, the gear oil will find it.

 

Wash it off really good, wire brush the area really good and watch what happens when you refill it. You will see exactly where it is leaking from. Then have it repaired. It's not like a gas tank. It will leak slowly. Also make sure your vent is open. It might be building up pressure when it warms up and pushing fluid out. Jb Weld will fix it.

 

Had that happen to the bottom casting in my 91 Chevy pickup. Scaly rust was flaking off in chunks, and started leaking at the bottom, of course. Since it was just a beater, I gooped up a self-tapper screw with seal all, and screwed it into the hole. A bit off topic, but just lets you know it happens.

 

Thanks guys..I have access to mig and tig Welders so no worrys..just wierd it happened from sitting over the winter. I have literally not driven the car since November...I'll get it up in the air clean it and track it down...

 

Had at least 2 SBC oil pans rust through, from the outside.