The Ford Barn

danliveshere · 12-08-2023, 06:58 AM

Hi everyone. Can anyone please explain the procedure for filling a Columbia axle that has been rebuilt and is completely empty. I can’t seem to find the instructions, it was a real safe spot I put them in! Thanks Dan.

glennpm · 12-08-2023, 08:00 AM

"LUBRICATION INSTRUCTIONS – IMPORTANT

With rear wheels off of floor fill rear axle through filler hole in Two-Speed Axle housing with 4½ Pints of standard Ford rear axle lubricant. (DO NOT USE CUP GREASE ) Start motor, shift transmission into high, and Two-Speed Axle control valve in high, depress clutch pedal to floor board, which completes shift in rear axle. Allow clutch pedal to return and run five minutes in this position. This is for the purpose of circulating oil through the entire Two-Speed Axle Unit. Next remove jack and with wheels on floor, BE SURE to refill axle to new oil level plug."

I just changed my fluid. For the refill it took 4 pints however I am not able to run it as above to see if it needs to be topped off.

Glenn

Kurt in NJ · 12-08-2023, 09:28 AM

The internal planetary gears get lubed only by the oil slung off the rotating assembly ,guided by ridges, baffles into the planet gearcase this is the reason for running it no load when first installed and rechecking, once it has been run and filled it won’t drain during a oil change unless it has been modified somehow

glennpm · 12-08-2023, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ

The internal planetary gears get lubed only by the oil slung off the rotating assembly ,guided through this is the reason for running it no load when first installed and rechecking, once it has been run and filled it won’t drain during a oil change unless it has been modified somehow

Thanks for that Kurt

Glenn

danliveshere · 12-08-2023, 05:32 PM

So guys is all the oil only added into the Columbia side and no need to add anything into the ford side of the axle?

Ken/Alabama · 12-08-2023, 07:10 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by danliveshere

So guys is all the oil only added into the Columbia side and no need to add anything into the ford side of the axle?

Correct, don’t use the filler plug in the banjo , use the filler plug in the Columbia unit. The only exception to this is for the Lincoln with the Hypoid rear. A true Zephyr A-6 housing has no filler plug like the Ford unit. But the two will interchange. If a Zephyr A-6 is to be used on a Ford then a filler hole needs to be drilled but a Ford on a Zephyr just don’t use the plug. Here’s a couple I have. Note the difference.

glennpm · 12-08-2023, 08:13 PM

That’s interesting

petehoovie · 12-08-2023, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken/Alabama

Correct, don’t use the filler plug in the banjo , use the filler plug in the Columbia unit. The only exception to this is for the Lincoln with the Hypoid rear. A true Zephyr A-6 housing has no filler plug like the Ford unit. But the two will interchange. If a Zephyr A-6 is to be used on a Ford then a filler hole needs to be drilled but a Ford on a Zephyr just don’t use the plug. Here’s a couple I have. Note the difference.

danliveshere · 12-09-2023, 02:12 AM

Thanks everyone. Job done.

12-08-2023, 06:58 AM	#1
danliveshere Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cairns , Australia Posts: 746	Procedure for filling a rebuilt columbia axle Hi everyone. Can anyone please explain the procedure for filling a Columbia axle that has been rebuilt and is completely empty. I can’t seem to find the instructions, it was a real safe spot I put them in! Thanks Dan.

12-08-2023, 08:00 AM	#2
glennpm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Wiscasset, Maine Posts: 1,981	Re: Procedure for filling a rebuilt columbia axle "LUBRICATION INSTRUCTIONS – IMPORTANT With rear wheels off of floor fill rear axle through filler hole in Two-Speed Axle housing with 4½ Pints of standard Ford rear axle lubricant. (DO NOT USE CUP GREASE ) Start motor, shift transmission into high, and Two-Speed Axle control valve in high, depress clutch pedal to floor board, which completes shift in rear axle. Allow clutch pedal to return and run five minutes in this position. This is for the purpose of circulating oil through the entire Two-Speed Axle Unit. Next remove jack and with wheels on floor, BE SURE to refill axle to new oil level plug." I just changed my fluid. For the refill it took 4 pints however I am not able to run it as above to see if it needs to be topped off. Glenn

12-08-2023, 09:28 AM	#3
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: Procedure for filling a rebuilt columbia axle The internal planetary gears get lubed only by the oil slung off the rotating assembly ,guided by ridges, baffles into the planet gearcase this is the reason for running it no load when first installed and rechecking, once it has been run and filled it won’t drain during a oil change unless it has been modified somehow Last edited by Kurt in NJ; 12-08-2023 at 09:49 AM.

12-08-2023, 05:32 PM	#5
danliveshere Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cairns , Australia Posts: 746	Re: Procedure for filling a rebuilt columbia axle So guys is all the oil only added into the Columbia side and no need to add anything into the ford side of the axle?

12-08-2023, 08:13 PM	#7
glennpm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Wiscasset, Maine Posts: 1,981	Re: Procedure for filling a rebuilt columbia axle That’s interesting

12-09-2023, 02:12 AM	#9
danliveshere Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cairns , Australia Posts: 746	Re: Procedure for filling a rebuilt columbia axle Thanks everyone. Job done.