Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-21-2021, 12:33 AM   #1
ThosD
Member
 
ThosD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 46
Default Replace differential seals and gaskets

Is there info for changing differential gaskets and seals that does not require disassembly of the gear set and spider? My eyes are getting bleary from searching the Model A forums and the Big Red book goes straight to a complete tear down.

I have noticed that my differential is weeping between the axle bells and the banjo and the left side grease seal is leaking. I would like to just change gaskets and seals. I only drove my car for few blocks before I started tearing into it to redo the brakes and refurbish the steering and leaf springs, so I am not aware of any bearing or gear issues.
ThosD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2021, 02:19 AM   #2
J Franklin
Senior Member
 
J Franklin's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 5,947
Default Re: Replace differential seals and gaskets

Remove the axle housings to replace the seals in them as well as the gaskets on the banjo.
J Franklin is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 11-21-2021, 08:50 AM   #3
Conaway2
Senior Member
 
Conaway2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC
Posts: 601
Default Re: Replace differential seals and gaskets

Quote:
Originally Posted by ThosD View Post
Is there info for changing differential gaskets and seals that does not require disassembly of the gear set and spider? My eyes are getting bleary from searching the Model A forums and the Big Red book goes straight to a complete tear down.

I have noticed that my differential is weeping between the axle bells and the banjo and the left side grease seal is leaking. I would like to just change gaskets and seals. I only drove my car for few blocks before I started tearing into it to redo the brakes and refurbish the steering and leaf springs, so I am not aware of any bearing or gear issues.
To answer your question - no. The only way to replace gaskets and seals is to disassemble the rear axle. Plenty of info on this is available online. The best reference I;ve seen is the article by Tom Endy of the Santa Anita A’s.

Don’t be intimidated - this is easier than it sounds if you have access to a spring spreader and have a helper. And, there are people on this forum who can help with any questions you have.

Good luck - Jim
Conaway2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2021, 09:30 AM   #4
Bob Bidonde
Senior Member
 
Bob Bidonde's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 3,432
Default Re: Replace differential seals and gaskets

This is the quickest way to get the rear axle apart which is necessary to replace its gaskets & seals.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Rear Axles – Quick Removal.jpg (78.2 KB, 136 views)
__________________
Bob Bidonde
Bob Bidonde is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2021, 10:23 AM   #5
ThosD
Member
 
ThosD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 46
Default Re: Replace differential seals and gaskets

Thanks to all for your responses. I was afraid that I may need a special tool; I do have the spring spreader.
ThosD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2021, 10:52 AM   #6
chrs1961815
Senior Member
 
chrs1961815's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Spring Grove, Illinois
Posts: 1,371
Default Re: Replace differential seals and gaskets

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
It sounds like your rear end might need a general overhaul. If your seals are leaking they are either pretty old or original. To do that there are some special tools.
__________________
"The more things change, the more they stay the same."
chrs1961815 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2021, 11:35 AM   #7
katy
Senior Member
 
katy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 5,009
Default Re: Replace differential seals and gaskets

When you remove the axle housings from the centre section check the gaskets. There should be one gasket on either side, but may have more than one on either or both sides. Sometimes additional gaskets are used/required for adjusting ring to pinion mesh.
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!.
Got my education out behind the barn!
katy is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2021, 05:46 PM   #8
redmodelt
Senior Member
 
redmodelt's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 6,339
Default Re: Replace differential seals and gaskets

Sorry, but there is more, as posted above, than just replacing seals and gaskets. The housings to center section gaskets are what is used to set preload on the carrier and pinion and ring gear mesh.

http://www.santaanitaas.org/wp-conte...vised-2014.pdf
https://www.santaanitaas.org/tom-endys-tech-articles/
__________________
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!
redmodelt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2021, 07:35 PM   #9
J Franklin
Senior Member
 
J Franklin's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 5,947
Default Re: Replace differential seals and gaskets

Quote:
Originally Posted by redmodelt View Post
Sorry, but there is more, as posted above, than just replacing seals and gaskets. The housings to center section gaskets are what is used to set preload on the carrier and pinion and ring gear mesh.

/[/url]
His gasket set should include multiple gaskets for that purpose.
J Franklin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2021, 07:46 PM   #10
redmodelt
Senior Member
 
redmodelt's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 6,339
Default Re: Replace differential seals and gaskets

Quote:
Originally Posted by J Franklin View Post
His gasket set should include multiple gaskets for that purpose.
Yes they do, but if he has never done one before...this would be all new to the OP.
__________________
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!
redmodelt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2021, 08:35 PM   #11
gdmn852
Senior Member
 
gdmn852's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Erie Pa
Posts: 684
Default Re: Replace differential seals and gaskets

You may want to get a 0 to 1 inch micrometer and measure the existing gaskets so they can be replaced with the same thickness.
gdmn852 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2021, 09:25 PM   #12
J Franklin
Senior Member
 
J Franklin's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 5,947
Default Re: Replace differential seals and gaskets

Quote:
Originally Posted by gdmn852 View Post
You may want to get a 0 to 1 inch micrometer and measure the existing gaskets so they can be replaced with the same thickness.
Maybe some additional adjustment should/could be done at this time.
J Franklin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2021, 12:30 AM   #13
daveymc29
Senior Member
 
daveymc29's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Danville, CA
Posts: 1,550
Default Re: Replace differential seals and gaskets

Also make sure that all bolts return to the original location and do not use a thread chaser on either the internal or external threads. They are a different pitch than more common bolts of similar size. If any need replacing for any reason buy new ones specifically for the part being delt with. (This applies to the banjo to axle housings and banjo to torque tube.)Mike the gaskets for thickness and replace as found. So what we are saying is make sure every part taken off goes back where it came from or is replaced with a like part in all measurements, unless you are ready to overhaul the entire thing, which is often unnecessary if you are just curing a modest dripping leak. Also, I would download Tom Endy's instructions and print them to have in front of me all the way through. See #8 above.
daveymc29 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2021, 11:27 AM   #14
ThosD
Member
 
ThosD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 46
Default Re: Replace differential seals and gaskets

The above responses identify concerns that arose once I started sourcing gaskets. Some comprehensive gasket sets include pairs of varying thickness for the center section gaskets. I am of the mind at this point to just complete the brake and spring work and drive the car for a while to determine the condition of the differential. Pulling the rear axle at a later date is not as daunting as screwing up the rear end by trying a quick fix for an oil leak. Spindle grease seals for now.
ThosD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2021, 11:55 AM   #15
katy
Senior Member
 
katy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 5,009
Default Re: Replace differential seals and gaskets

Don't forget the seals in the rear hubs.
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!.
Got my education out behind the barn!
katy is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2021, 11:59 AM   #16
Tom Endy
Senior Member
 
Tom Endy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 3,122
Default Re: Replace differential seals and gaskets

A suggestion:

Drain the banjo and one at a time remove each of the twenty-banjo bolts and coat the threads with sealer and replace. Torque all banjo bolts to 35 ft. lbs. This may solve your problem and if not, it will not cause any damage.

Tom Endy
Tom Endy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2021, 04:56 PM   #17
ThosD
Member
 
ThosD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 46
Default Re: Replace differential seals and gaskets

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Endy View Post
A suggestion:

Drain the banjo and one at a time remove each of the twenty-banjo bolts and coat the threads with sealer and replace. Torque all banjo bolts to 35 ft. lbs. This may solve your problem and if not, it will not cause any damage.

Tom Endy

Thank you for the suggestion; it's on my things to do list.
ThosD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2021, 08:30 PM   #18
clifforddward
Member
 
clifforddward's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Cary, North Carolina
Posts: 80
Default Re: Replace differential seals and gaskets

I would like to echo the poster above about owning (and using) a micrometer....for close tolerance measurements like this (gasket thickness for setting mesh) the micrometer is easy to use and very reliable.

Every Model A owner should have a 0-1" micrometer...even one of the cheaper versions will provide the accuracy needed.
clifforddward is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2021, 08:58 PM   #19
katy
Senior Member
 
katy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 5,009
Default Re: Replace differential seals and gaskets

Be careful when measuring gasket thickness, the old, compressed gaskets are slightly thinner than the new ones you'll be replacing them with.
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!.
Got my education out behind the barn!
katy is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2021, 05:55 PM   #20
Ivan in southeast va.
Senior Member
 
Ivan in southeast va.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Portsmouth, Virginia
Posts: 303
Default Re: Replace differential seals and gaskets

Quote:
Originally Posted by tom endy View Post
a suggestion:

Drain the banjo and one at a time remove each of the twenty-banjo bolts and coat the threads with sealer and replace. Torque all banjo bolts to 35 ft. Lbs. This may solve your problem and if not, it will not cause any damage.

Tom endy
x 2
Ivan in southeast va. is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:06 PM.