The Ford Barn

blownford · 05-12-2023, 05:09 PM

My coupe has a '37 rear axle. There is a grease fitting at the end of each side next to the brake backing plate. What do they lubricate? No passage to the wheel bearing ,so the only thing I can figure is to lube the grease seal..

GaryU. · 05-12-2023, 05:27 PM

From my limited knowledge do not use that grease fitting, think it was later phased out. Others will surely chime in soon.

19Fordy · 05-12-2023, 05:36 PM

As I understand it, those grease fittings were suppose to allow greasing of the rear wheel bearings.
However, they didn't work well as grease ended up on the brake shoes.
1940 Fords have the same grease fitting.

DavidG · 05-12-2023, 05:40 PM

You are misinformed. It is for lubrication of the rear wheel bearings and while the route for the grease to reach the bearings is convoluted, it exists. Don't use them and you will regret it

DavidG · 05-12-2023, 05:43 PM

They do the job as long as not too much grease is used. Admittedly, not the best of designs.

Terry,OH · 05-13-2023, 06:28 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Ford did stop using them around 39 by plugging the holes, but then restarted use about 41. Note the rear bearing take a long fiber, heavy duty, drum brake grease not chassis grease.

kurt v · 05-13-2023, 07:06 AM

Where can i find the long fiber heavy duty grease nobody around here has had it for years, i keep looking for it ?

Kube · 05-13-2023, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurt v

Where can i find the long fiber heavy duty grease nobody around here has had it for years, i keep looking for it ?

John Deere cornhead grease

john in illinois · 05-13-2023, 08:19 AM

I remove the rear hub and repack the bearing when I service front wheel bearings.
I think that is what Ford had in mind when they deleted grease fittings.

John

40cpe · 05-13-2023, 08:46 AM

It has been recommended on this forum for years to use CRC Sta Lube SL3131. NAPA has it and and describes it as "A sodium-based short fiber grease for autos & trucks with drum brake systems and slow speed industrial bearings."

JM 35 Sedan · 05-13-2023, 09:03 AM

I'm wondering if there is a fiber filled drum brake grease available in standard grease gun tubes that could be pumped through those zerk grease fittings? If not, I wouldn't suggest using standard chassis lube in those rear roller bearings. I can't tell you how many early Ford rear axles I've taken apart in the last 20 years that had excessive amounts of chassis grease pumped into the brake shoe area, and also into the axle housings.
Many of these rear axles had damaged roller bearings and excessive wear on the axle housing bearing surface, possibly the result of not using the correct type grease.

19Fordy · 05-13-2023, 09:21 AM

It would be interesting to remove the rear drums and inject grease into those fittings and then observe where it comes out.

rotorwrench · 05-13-2023, 09:21 AM

From the way I understand it, folks were pumping grease in there and expecting some to come out somewhere since they weren't checked out on procedures. The excess comes out all right but it ends up inside the brake drum and the rear axle housing for the most part. After the baffle is full then it can end up plopping down into the brake shoe area. Ford eventually changed the procedure to remove the hub/drum for service so the zerk fitting was discontinued.

Once you pull the hub/drum the the bearing surfaces are exposed and can be easily serviced. The baffle can be cleaned out and brakes can be adjusted. Having a quality puller is a must. With the zerk, the grease has to move from the zerk fitting down inside the axle housing then travel out the end and up into the hub bearing cavity from the outside in. If the shaft closure isn't up to snuff a lot goes into the axle housing instead of out the end of the axle bore. This was not one of Fords's better ideas.

Terry,OH · 05-13-2023, 10:19 AM

I just purchased two small tubs of SL3131 from NAPA. They had to go to adjacent state store to find the tubs. Counterman says I was lucky to find any, he can not longer order it.
If you use the Zerks the grease comes out from around the axle shaft.

Bob C · 05-13-2023, 10:46 AM

SL3131 has been discontinued. https://www.crcindustries.com/produc...-14-wt-oz.html

19Fordy · 05-13-2023, 11:21 AM

[QUOTE=Bob C;2225735]SL3131 has been discontinued. https://www.crcindustries.com/produc...-14-wt-oz.html[/QUOTE

Bob: Gee, another product gone away. Do you know if there is a similar product that will be as good? Thanks, Jim

05-12-2023, 05:09 PM	#1
blownford Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 25	Rear axle grease fitting My coupe has a '37 rear axle. There is a grease fitting at the end of each side next to the brake backing plate. What do they lubricate? No passage to the wheel bearing ,so the only thing I can figure is to lube the grease seal..

05-12-2023, 05:27 PM	#2
GaryU. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Beaver Dam, Wisconsin Posts: 821	Re: Rear axle grease fitting From my limited knowledge do not use that grease fitting, think it was later phased out. Others will surely chime in soon.

05-12-2023, 05:36 PM	#3
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,950	Re: Rear axle grease fitting As I understand it, those grease fittings were suppose to allow greasing of the rear wheel bearings. However, they didn't work well as grease ended up on the brake shoes. 1940 Fords have the same grease fitting.

05-12-2023, 05:40 PM	#4
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,102	Re: Rear axle grease fitting You are misinformed. It is for lubrication of the rear wheel bearings and while the route for the grease to reach the bearings is convoluted, it exists. Don't use them and you will regret it

05-12-2023, 05:43 PM	#5
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,102	Re: Rear axle grease fitting They do the job as long as not too much grease is used. Admittedly, not the best of designs.

05-13-2023, 06:28 AM	#6
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,751	Re: Rear axle grease fitting Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Ford did stop using them around 39 by plugging the holes, but then restarted use about 41. Note the rear bearing take a long fiber, heavy duty, drum brake grease not chassis grease.

05-13-2023, 07:06 AM	#7
kurt v Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: summerton, sc Posts: 353	Re: Rear axle grease fitting Where can i find the long fiber heavy duty grease nobody around here has had it for years, i keep looking for it ?

05-13-2023, 08:19 AM	#9
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,185	Re: Rear axle grease fitting I remove the rear hub and repack the bearing when I service front wheel bearings. I think that is what Ford had in mind when they deleted grease fittings. John __________________ Welcome each day

05-13-2023, 08:46 AM	#10
40cpe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Star, MS Posts: 4,024	Re: Rear axle grease fitting It has been recommended on this forum for years to use CRC Sta Lube SL3131. NAPA has it and and describes it as "A sodium-based short fiber grease for autos & trucks with drum brake systems and slow speed industrial bearings."

05-13-2023, 09:03 AM	#11
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: Rear axle grease fitting I'm wondering if there is a fiber filled drum brake grease available in standard grease gun tubes that could be pumped through those zerk grease fittings? If not, I wouldn't suggest using standard chassis lube in those rear roller bearings. I can't tell you how many early Ford rear axles I've taken apart in the last 20 years that had excessive amounts of chassis grease pumped into the brake shoe area, and also into the axle housings. Many of these rear axles had damaged roller bearings and excessive wear on the axle housing bearing surface, possibly the result of not using the correct type grease. __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein* Last edited by JM 35 Sedan; 05-13-2023 at 09:50 AM.

05-13-2023, 09:21 AM	#12
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,950	Re: Rear axle grease fitting It would be interesting to remove the rear drums and inject grease into those fittings and then observe where it comes out.

05-13-2023, 09:21 AM	#13
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: Rear axle grease fitting From the way I understand it, folks were pumping grease in there and expecting some to come out somewhere since they weren't checked out on procedures. The excess comes out all right but it ends up inside the brake drum and the rear axle housing for the most part. After the baffle is full then it can end up plopping down into the brake shoe area. Ford eventually changed the procedure to remove the hub/drum for service so the zerk fitting was discontinued. Once you pull the hub/drum the the bearing surfaces are exposed and can be easily serviced. The baffle can be cleaned out and brakes can be adjusted. Having a quality puller is a must. With the zerk, the grease has to move from the zerk fitting down inside the axle housing then travel out the end and up into the hub bearing cavity from the outside in. If the shaft closure isn't up to snuff a lot goes into the axle housing instead of out the end of the axle bore. This was not one of Fords's better ideas. Last edited by rotorwrench; 05-13-2023 at 09:38 AM.

05-13-2023, 10:19 AM	#14
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,751	Re: Rear axle grease fitting I just purchased two small tubs of SL3131 from NAPA. They had to go to adjacent state store to find the tubs. Counterman says I was lucky to find any, he can not longer order it. If you use the Zerks the grease comes out from around the axle shaft.

05-13-2023, 10:46 AM	#15
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,755	Re: Rear axle grease fitting SL3131 has been discontinued. https://www.crcindustries.com/produc...-14-wt-oz.html

05-13-2023, 11:21 AM	#16
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,950	Re: Rear axle grease fitting [QUOTE=Bob C;2225735]SL3131 has been discontinued. https://www.crcindustries.com/produc...-14-wt-oz.html[/QUOTE Bob: Gee, another product gone away. Do you know if there is a similar product that will be as good? Thanks, Jim