Columbia O/D issues

[Shoovel]

Folks,
We drove the 39 Ford on Sunday to a car show 60 miles away. About 1/2 way there after shifting in & out of O/D a few times, my next shift into O/D, some ugly sounds came from the rear, I switched it out of O/D and drove the rest of the way there and after 2 hours drove home with no abnormal noises. I checked all the fluid levels the day before.
I put a call into John at Columbia Two Speed Parts and left a message and left a message.
I will drain the oil this Sat to see if there is any metal in the oil.
I can not find any info on repair or rebuilding the O/D unit. Any info will be greatly appreciated.

[Kube]

Depends on what "ugly sounds" means exactly.
It's possible (you'd better hope so) that it simply didn't shift all the way in.
If the controls are not the issue, then you're looking at disassembly for a proper inspection.

[Ken/Alabama]

Sometimes they’ll make a ratcheting sound. Had this to happen many times. Just push the clutch in again and it’ll usually shift.

[glennpm]

Can you get your car on a lift or get the rear wheels off the ground? If you do, try shifting it into overdrive. this will let you check it with minimal load and safely at home. Is the vacuum plunger lever adjusted properly so that the lever depresses plunger in valve at least 1/8" but not more than 1/4" when clutch is depressed to the floor?

[Step-down]

Also check oil level with car jacked up and in gear running .
Which oil type and weight are using

I’m told to check oil level as clutch opens as the axle is rotating .
Any comments how true .

[glennpm]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

"SERVICING:- Axle Lubrication



When first installed, axle should be filled with 4 ½ pints (Ford), 6 pints (Lincoln-Zephyr) recommended axle lubricant and car should be run with rear wheels jacked up (transmission in high, overdrive in low) for 5 minutes to circulate oil through overdrive unit. Axle should then be refilled to level of filler plug in overdrive case. Always fill to level of overdrive filler plug for this purpose."


Seems to me that this is a design flaw. The Columbia lube fill plug should have been mounted higher in the housing.

[Terry,OH]

Columbia uses 140W gear lube, There is no need to fill and check while the diff is turning. They suggested putting the diff in HIGH and running for 5 min and then checking. Do make sure the unit is filled all the way to the fill plug. You will note the fill plug is slightly higher than the Ford fill plug and marked to use the Columbia plug only on some of their diffs.

[solidaxle]

Maybe your vacuum can is hanging up. Are the leather seals in good shape? Have you lubricated them?