Rear Axle Seals?

1

1961

Member
I'm replacing the rear axle bearings in my '61' Galaxie. I don't see any rear axle seals. Is this typical for this year and model? The bearing is a ball bearing assembly with seals on both sides. Would that be it? Seems like gear oil would sneak out elsewhere. Any comments or help would be great. Thanks for your time.
 
The seals should be located in the housing. Maybe a few inches deep, once the axles are out, take a look.
 
Just happened to come across your thread -- and BobSS396 is a very helpful person ---
If you need those Rear Axle Seals -- I have some N.O.S. -- that are still nice and soft and supple -- and made far better than the chinesium of today........:)
 
mobileparts said:
Just happened to come across your thread -- and BobSS396 is a very helpful person ---
If you need those Rear Axle Seals -- I have some N.O.S. -- that are still nice and soft and supple -- and made far better than the chinesium of today........:)
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Thanks! I did the ones in my '59 that were leaking and they were actually leather. The brand was National and made in Mexico. So I guess they were replaced at some point.
 
Original seals were leather. The pinion seals were the same if I remember correctly.

bobss396 said:
Thanks! I did the ones in my '59 that were leaking and they were actually leather. The brand was National and made in Mexico. So I guess they were replaced at some point.
Click to expand...
 
Then seals are recessed in the axle housing deep enough to allow room for the axle shaft outer bearing to also occupy that recess. You'll notice that when the axle shaft assembly is re-installed in the housing, the bearing actually sticks out a little bit, but the retainer plate has a little "bump-out" to match the amount the bearing sticks out.
I would use a seal remover tool to get those seals out. I would be scared of trying to pry them out with screwdrivers for fear that I might gouge that bore in there.
 
Thanks to everybody, all good info. Yeh, they were leather. The new ones I got are double lipped rubber with a spring band. Again, A BIG THANKS.
 
If you are real careful you can pry them out with the axle shaft. Something I picked up when I changed parts while on the clock.
 
bobss396 said:
If you are real careful you can pry them out with the axle shaft.
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I think I can see what you are saying, but I would be afraid of distorting the seal housing and getting it jammed in the bore that way.
Those seals don't go in or come out easily. I used a piece of PVC pipe close to same diameter as the outside diameter of the seal with a metal cap on the pipe to hammer the seal in.
It is a tight fit for a reason. If the seal fit loosely, you would get oil seeping between the seal housing and the bearing bore. The axle bearings are sealed bearings and they can go bad if gear oil is in the chamber between the seal and bearing. That would defeat the whole purpose of having a seal.
Last time I removed seals, I went down to the local chain auto parts supplier and borrowed a seal remover. (It's like a slide hammer type arrangement). Call and ask if they still offer them for their customers. They might not have em anymore.
 
I popped mine out with a slide hammer bearing puller. Same puller I pulled the axle with. No leaks so far. The old car got jealous and threw a rear bearing a week after I brought an old truck home.
 
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