Rear axle query

[JohninKuranda]

I just removed the rear axle bearing and sleeves and am starting to install new parts.

Looking into the axle housing, I note that there appears to be a ring about 5" in. The edges look ragged as if its an old rubber seal setup that has broken down over time. You may be able to see it in the attached picture.

Do I need to remove this, or is it part of the housing? I have looked online and in the manuals but still am unsure.

Thanks
John

 

[rotorwrench]

Looks like the inner seal. They were originally made with rawhide as the sealing element but the modern replacements are rubber vulcanized to a metal ring like a washer. They can be a PITA to get out of there. Getting the race out can be a job too but the removal tool usually works OK. This link to Lang's shows what the new ones look like.
https://www.modeltford.com/item/2511AS.aspx

Some folks crammed the big felt pads in there but they can be hard to get in and out.

 

[redmodelt]

Could also be the support ring that is riveted into place, which the seal pushes against.

 

[Robert/Texas]

I have varnished wooden spokes on my '22 roadster so any rear axle grease leakage looked bad. One rear axle leaked just a little unless I went on a long drive and then all of the spokes were drenched with black fluid. I looked inside the axle housing and it looked much like the one in the above picture. I bought a set of the rubber seals like rotorwrench mentioned and a new axel sleeve. I worked for hours trying to get the old seal out with no success so I finally gave up. I noticed that the axle fluid was filled to the top so I drained about a cup of it out. As far as can tell, this has fixed the problem as I have been driving the car for several months with no sign of the any leakage. I don't know if the fluid drainage or the new axle sleeve solved the problem but suspect that both helped.

 

[redmodelt]

If there is part of an old seal still in there, it needs to come out. Piece of stiff wire with end bent can be used to hook and pull the old one out. Might have to experiment on how long the hook is. Work the wire in between the axle and seal so the hook is behind the seal, then turn to hook it and pull, working around the axle as you go.

Re over filled rearend. Some have suggested that engine oil coming down the torque tube can be the reason. If that were the case, the ball joint, which is not sealed or that tight would be leaking. The ball joint should be packed with grease which should help keep the motor oil out of the rearend. Depending on the year of manufacture, the lube level in the rearend should be either 1 inch below the fill hole (early) or level with the opening, later with oil fill hole below the center line. If the lube in the rearend has by chance been polluted with motor oil, might be good idea to change it. I have been adding a drain hole to any rearends I have done or even while still mounted under the car. Lots easier to drain out all the old lube that way, rather than sucking it out.
If one was getting motor oil in the rearend that would point to one or combination of things: worn 4th main, missing plug in the tail shaft or worn upper bushing in torque tube.