The Ford Barn

Model51 · 11-29-2015, 08:47 AM

I'm trying to locate a newly manufactured drive shaft grease seal that sits in the torque tube after the drive shaft bearings. The Ford part number is BB-4686 and fits 1932 through 1939 (big trucks, not pickup or commercial). The attached image is an example, but damaged. I'm restoring my truck and now is the time to put new seals in. I think the rubber on a NOS seal would be old and hard, so that's why I'm looking for a newly manufactured seal. The original in my torque tube looks ok, but I have no way to test it to see how well it keeps the grease where it belongs. If it helps, here are some dimensions: outer seal diameter (bore) 2.105", shaft diameter 1.370", thickness 0.469" (15/32").

rotorwrench · 11-29-2015, 08:59 AM

Looks like a Chicago Rawhide seal. It may have been a leather seal. If the ID, OD, and thickness measurements are standard fractional sizes, a seal could be sourced through a bearing & seal supply company. If not, as you posted, it may have to be an NOS. Leather needs a bit of oil to rejuvenate it if it is in good condition. I've seen old leather seals come back to life before.

Bob C · 11-29-2015, 11:20 AM

Here you go http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...602_0297663292
Rock auto has it for $4.33 National Seal # 472287.

Bob

40Pickup · 11-29-2015, 01:56 PM

Didn't that greaser sealer have an additional built in function as a trust washer for the bearing?

Jorgen

Model51 · 11-29-2015, 03:59 PM

Thanks for your reply. The seal is a rubber compound with an internal spring for tension.

Model51 · 11-29-2015, 04:02 PM

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Bob C - Thanks for the NAPA link. I'll have to look at one. One difference is the thickness and also, ans 40 Pickup mentioned, it may have to be strong enough to take some thrust. I'll have to check out the entire assembly (bearings, speed drive gear, etc.) to figure this out. If it's a simple as making an appropriate thickness washer, then this may do the trick.

Bob C · 12-18-2023, 08:33 PM

Did you ever find a seal that will work? I'm working on a 1932 rear axle and see the seal number I posted will not work, no thrust surface. I got a NOS from Southside Obsolete that had a Ford tag on it with the correct part number but the seal was actually for an AA. Vintage Ford in Sacramento shows one for an AA that has some type of sleeve for the thrust.

Model51 · 12-18-2023, 10:19 PM

BobC - Thanks for thinking of me. I did find the correct seal, a modern manufacture. I don't have the place or part number handy, but if you want me to find it, let me know. I assume this seal will work for the full-floating rear axle (1934 and up).
Dave

petehoovie · 12-19-2023, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

Did you ever find a seal that will work? I'm working on a 1932 rear axle and see the seal number I posted will not work, no thrust surface. I got a NOS from Southside Obsolete that had a Ford tag on it with the correct part number but the seal was actually for an AA. Vintage Ford in Sacramento shows one for an AA that has some type of sleeve for the thrust.

Model51 · 12-19-2023, 05:56 PM

Like a dummy, I was looking for the wrong seal by not paying attention. I was chasing the rear brake drum seal which is 4.56" OD.

I think I found the seal on the Timken web page. It's a Timken type 450.
https://www.bearing.net.au/wp-conten...-Catalogue.pdf on page 34 is the following which I think is correct, but am not 100% certain it what I ordered. I do remember that no one stocked this seal and I had go find it.

Let me know if you decide to order one and if it fits.

Dave

Bob C · 12-19-2023, 06:23 PM

The picture looks like what I need. The ID and width are the same but the interchange shows the OD of BB-4686 as 2.110 and that is what my old one measures. Fred at Southside Obsolete crossed the BB-4686 to a John Deere number that had the same dimensions as the one you show. I'll try to find the one you show and see how it works.

petehoovie · 12-19-2023, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Model51

Like a dummy, I was looking for the wrong seal by not paying attention. I was chasing the rear brake drum seal which is 4.56" OD.

I think I found the seal on the Timken web page. It's a Timken type 450.
https://www.bearing.net.au/wp-conten...-Catalogue.pdf on page 34 is the following which I think is correct, but am not 100% certain it what I ordered. I do remember that no one stocked this seal and I had go find it.

Let me know if you decide to order one and if it fits.

Dave

11-29-2015, 08:59 AM	#2
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,431	Re: Truck driveshaft-torque tube grease seal Looks like a Chicago Rawhide seal. It may have been a leather seal. If the ID, OD, and thickness measurements are standard fractional sizes, a seal could be sourced through a bearing & seal supply company. If not, as you posted, it may have to be an NOS. Leather needs a bit of oil to rejuvenate it if it is in good condition. I've seen old leather seals come back to life before.

11-29-2015, 11:20 AM	#3
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,751	Re: Truck driveshaft-torque tube grease seal Here you go http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...602_0297663292 Rock auto has it for $4.33 National Seal # 472287. Bob

11-29-2015, 01:56 PM	#4
40Pickup Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Homelook Sweden Posts: 178	Re: Truck driveshaft-torque tube grease seal Didn't that greaser sealer have an additional built in function as a trust washer for the bearing? Jorgen

11-29-2015, 03:59 PM	#5
Model51 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fairfax Station, VA Posts: 527	Re: Truck driveshaft-torque tube grease seal Thanks for your reply. The seal is a rubber compound with an internal spring for tension.

11-29-2015, 04:02 PM	#6
Model51 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fairfax Station, VA Posts: 527	Re: Truck driveshaft-torque tube grease seal Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Bob C - Thanks for the NAPA link. I'll have to look at one. One difference is the thickness and also, ans 40 Pickup mentioned, it may have to be strong enough to take some thrust. I'll have to check out the entire assembly (bearings, speed drive gear, etc.) to figure this out. If it's a simple as making an appropriate thickness washer, then this may do the trick.

12-18-2023, 10:19 PM	#8
Model51 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fairfax Station, VA Posts: 527	Re: Truck driveshaft-torque tube grease seal BobC - Thanks for thinking of me. I did find the correct seal, a modern manufacture. I don't have the place or part number handy, but if you want me to find it, let me know. I assume this seal will work for the full-floating rear axle (1934 and up). Dave __________________ 1935 157" 1 1/2 ton stake truck undergoing full original restoration 1936 131 1/2" panel truck rescue preservation Author of the 1935-1936 Ford Model 51 V8 Truck book published by the Early Ford V8 Club of America

12-19-2023, 06:23 PM	#11
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,751	Re: Truck driveshaft-torque tube grease seal The picture looks like what I need. The ID and width are the same but the interchange shows the OD of BB-4686 as 2.110 and that is what my old one measures. Fred at Southside Obsolete crossed the BB-4686 to a John Deere number that had the same dimensions as the one you show. I'll try to find the one you show and see how it works.