I worked diligently for days following Les Andrews instruction in the Mechanics Handbook. When I finished restoring the 31 differential and installed it the satisfaction of a job well done was unbelievable. Then the balloon popped after I installed the 600w oil and it began to leak. The axle housing was warped. The Question: Can I accurately check the backlash and ring gear pattern with the axles installed? I don't want to tear the whole thing apart again. Can anyone out there help in this matter? Thank you, Gary
dirrerential adjustments
- Thread starter tudor87
- Start date
Tom Wesenberg
Well-known member
I'm not sure why you want to check the pattern at this point, if it was already done.
Can you see where exactly the leak is? Are both sides leaking?
Can you see where exactly the leak is? Are both sides leaking?
Milton
Well-known member
Gary,
My first thought is silicon. What you have is the the carrier preload to be concerned with. Keep the banjo gaskets in order and try silicon at the leak areas, which should show on the gaskets. The idea is to stop the leak without thickening the gaskets as they set the carrier preload. The backlash and gear mesh should be unaffected if you only remove or loosen one axle housing. If my solution is erroneous I will gladly accept any valid info to correct my thoughts on this.
P.S. I trust that you used the proper banjo bolts and did NOT chase any theads.
My first thought is silicon. What you have is the the carrier preload to be concerned with. Keep the banjo gaskets in order and try silicon at the leak areas, which should show on the gaskets. The idea is to stop the leak without thickening the gaskets as they set the carrier preload. The backlash and gear mesh should be unaffected if you only remove or loosen one axle housing. If my solution is erroneous I will gladly accept any valid info to correct my thoughts on this.
P.S. I trust that you used the proper banjo bolts and did NOT chase any theads.
John Kuhnast
Well-known member
Is it a leak or a seep? Mine kept seeping out leaving a small spot on the floor. I cleaned it real well and gave it two coats of rustioum paint. No more problem.
Patrick L.
Well-known member
It is leaking from the housing gaskets and not the retaining bolts ?
Jim Brierley
Well-known member
Les' book tells you to start by tightening the side bolts with no gaskets, this can distort the housings and they leak. Silicone might cure the problem but taking it all apart and truing the housings and re-setting the R&P is the best answer.
CarlG
Well-known member
You might want to read thru Tom Endy's Differential Seminar:
http://www.ocmafc.org/Tom%20Endy's%20Technical%20Articles.htm
http://www.ocmafc.org/Tom%20Endy's%20Technical%20Articles.htm
Thanks to all for your reply. It is a big leak due to warped axle housing. I used the original bolts but it won't seal because of the warp. I had the housing machined to true it up and a small amount of the housing was removed so I have to go thru some of the adjustments again. I may just take it al the way down and start all over again. Thanks to Carl and all of you for the help, I am going to follow Tom Endy's instruction.