Rear Axle seal

Bobster

Bobster

Member
I have a leaking seal at the rear axle (driver's side). Is it as simple as pulling the drum, bearing, and seal to fix? Not familiar with Model A's and don't have a shop manual handy at present. Looking at Bratton's catalog, fix seems simple. I do not have a hub puller, if it is required. Can I salvage the oil soaked brake linings with brake cleaner, or should I go for new. Thanks, BW
 
There are two rear oil seals, one in the drum (easy fix) and one in the axle bell. This one unfortunately requires the bell to be removed from the banjo, as it's inserted from the inner end. You may be able to get the drum off without a puller by loosening off the axle nut and drive the car round in circles until it pops.
 
You might want to look at the bearing surface on the axle housing. It could be worn flatter on the bottom, not keeping the axle centered in the seals.
 
the hub seal is to seal the grease and a small amount of oil that might slip past the inner seal. The inner seal is what is supposed to seal the differential oil. If your brakes are soaked in oil, you'll have to bite the bullet and replace the inner seal. If your shoes are oil soaked, they're shot.
 
OK - I got the hub off and removed soaked brake shoes. The axle can be wiggled around in the housing nearly 1/16ths of an inch. I don't think a new inner seal will take up that much slack. I borrowed a copy of Les Andrews' book and don't see a bearing in the axle end. I assume the housing is worn and will need a sleeve? Need some guidance here. Thanks, BW
 
Bobster said:
OK - I got the hub off and removed soaked brake shoes. The axle can be wiggled around in the housing nearly 1/16ths of an inch. I don't think a new inner seal will take up that much slack. I borrowed a copy of Les Andrews' book and don't see a bearing in the axle end. I assume the housing is worn and will need a sleeve? Need some guidance here. Thanks, BW
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So far it sounds OK. The rear wheel hub bearing controls the axle play. Study how the hub and bearing fit on the end of the axle tube, and how the taper on the axle gets secured in the wheel hub.
 
Update - Looked at the bearing in the drum. Very dry of grease and worn, so I guess that allowed the inner axle seal to wear down and leak. I think this will be involved, but very fixable. Thanks for the input. New inner seal, drum bearing and seal and all is good! BW
 
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