Rebuild Model A Rear Axle

[cw]

Well the rear axle, differential and torque tube are out of the truck.

While unbolting the cover on the u-joint, a whole bunch of oil started draining out.
Does this mean there is a leak behind the transmission?

[J Franklin]

That is Fords way of lubing the U-joint, It is the way it was done

[Christoph]

J F is right.

You should have seen me, when i opened my U-joint

Do go more into detail:
There is a grease-fitting in this U-Joint.
Grease itself would be "rotated away"....
Once its mixed with oil, it will "come back" where it belongs.
Dont fix this gearbox-leake too good.

BTW
I was shocked as my banjo allways was "overfilled".
I got to learn that the oil out of the gearbox went
all the way down there.
(To many gaskets gone for sure)

Have fun
Christoph

[cw]

Thanks
Here is a picture of the truck and my son

[Brentwood Bob]

That truck's got fun written all over it. Bob

[cw]

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When I took the torque tube off the drive shaft, parts came falling out. The roller bearing on the torque tube side of the pinion was in pieces, the pinion was not secured with thrust washers or the lock nuts. The differential and axle bearings look good.

[Keeper79]

That truck is sexy... I would certainly fix it up and pimp it..

[Lowell Fast]

1. After I remove my rear hubs, I notice the axles have a vertical up and down free play of a 1/4 of an inch. Is this normal ?.

2. There is no lateral freeplay.

3. There is a small amount of rear end lube leaking past the inner grease seals .

4. I Am replacing seals on the outter bearings but isn't it a major job to replace the inner seals ?

[tbirdtbird]

The 1/4" play you have noted is normal with the hubs off. It is the hubs that keep them centered.
If only a small amount of leakage I'd prolly leave it alone. Nothing on the brakes, correct? The entire rear end must be taken apart to change out the inner seals

[Lowell Fast]

Thanks, after further review, I now realize the extent of replacing the inner grease seals . I now plan on replacing the outer wheel bearing seals and see how much leakage I am dealing with .
Does anyone have experience with using John Deere Cornhead grease in the Differential (banjo) ? ?

[updraught]

Originally Posted by Lowell Fast

Does anyone have experience with using John Deere Cornhead grease in the Differential (banjo) ? ?

Someone who drives at a maximum of 5 mph with half the bolts missing might be able to help you on that one.

[Lowell Fast]

Is that a Yes or No ?

[zzlegend]

Originally Posted by cw

When I took the torque tube off the drive shaft, parts came falling out. The roller bearing on the torque tube side of the pinion was in pieces, the pinion was not secured with thrust washers or the lock nuts. The differential and axle bearings look good.

These threads some times get confusing What ever happened to the original poster?

[racingrufus]

My rear had problems after I had rebuilt the engine.I took it apart and it had a 4.11 gear set in it which was makeing the engine turn to high of RPMs. I put in a 3.54 gear set with new bearings, seals,races and gaskets. I am pleased with the 3.54 gear set and I have plenty of cruising speed low speed power.

[figment]

I have heard of some owners using corn head grease in the ujoint but not in the rear end.

[larrys40]

sounds like you are into it.... and it is probably an unrestored axle. As Brent said to do a proper rebuild and "Restoration" there is much work involved.... Tom Endy's article is very good. Rear ends are one of my specialties and folks think they are always easy but it's not always the case. Having the proper tools and knowing what to do and look for is key. I have seen many parts ruined by improper methods and tools used.

sounds like you're into it so follow Tom's article and setup for preload.. replace all bearings and races, ensure your axles are good and suitable for re-use. If not secure replacements... otherwise you will be back into it pretty quick.

Larry Shepard

[zzlegend]

A four year old thread. Like I said, what happened to the original poster? Did he get it fixed?

[updraught]

Originally Posted by Lowell Fast

Is that a Yes or No ?

It is OK in a steering box as the gears operate at low speed and the sludge has time to ooze back into place. Not so at high speed where a cavity in the sticky goo and made by the gears will stay that way. A thinner oil is needed. That's my take on it.

[tbirdtbird]

zz, clearly the thread was piggybacked onto by a new poster. Ignore the older stuff. The rest of us are.