Leaking Axle on 53 Customline -- S.O.S.

So my friends and I wasted couple hours in the heat yesterday replacing a wheel cylinder, brakes, and brake line on my Ford, since we all thought I had a leaky wheel cylinder and the fitting was stripped. So, after everything was replaced, I took a test drive. The brakes seemed to be working well but the wheel was dripping liquid again. I took the wheel off and the wheel cylinder was DRY and the brake line was also dry. Eventually we figured out it was not coming from the brakes at all but from behind the hub, like it was leaking from the axle. I guess it was gear oil and not brake fluid at all. However, it will eventually get all over my brand new brake shoes and ruin them.

Anyway, none of us have dealt with this particular problem before. Is there just a simple gasket between the hub and axle? Does it require machining or anything? I REALLY want to get this thing in shape for the Blessing of the Cars next week.

Any suggestions?

Thanks, Adam

 

Adam;
It's a real simple seal in the housing. Problem is that a leak is generally caused by a bad wheel bearing. You'll fiind out when you take it apart. Just remove the Drum again and the 4 nuts on the bearing retainer. The Axle will come out with a few tugs. Some times you need a Knocker to get them to pop out (not difficult) Check the bearing then look inside the housing. You'll see the seal. Just change it and slide the axle back in as long as the bearing is good and your back on the road.
The Wizzard

 

Thanks Wizzard.

I had the wheel bearings replaced about 2 years ago and haven't put many miles on them. (I got the bearings from Canter's). Hopefully that's not the problem, because I want to get my POS on the road by the weekend!

Thanks again.

Adam

 

Did you put them on a bent axle? Did you have the axle mic'd to find out if it was true?? If you didn't and you just replaced bearings it could be a worn bearing.

Yank the sucker out and check the gasket if it's got one and the bearing. I did it once and figured out it was my bearing had already worn on a bent axle...............it was a blonde moment.