The Ford Barn

bunnyc · 06-14-2015, 07:43 PM

Now that our '29 runs, steers and stops to our satisfaction, we are moving on to some cosmetic issues and leaks.
From what I have read, we have a common problem with a transmission lube oil leak; seeping out the U-joint outer cover grease seal.
Our plan is to do what we can without removing the rear end. This amounts to replacing the outer cover grease seals and the gasket between the outer cover and inner plate.
I imagine the leak will persist due to a leaking transmission seal?
Should we do anything else while performing this?
Oh, what is a "liberal amount of grease" for the U-joint? We don't want to blow out the new grease seals.
Forgot to mention, we cleaned out the vent hole; it was plugged.

Tom Wesenberg · 06-14-2015, 09:28 PM

You won't blow out the seals in the top and bottom clamshells. If you want to replace the 2 gaskets for the U-joint without removing the engine or rear end, then you'd have to cut the gasket at the top and install them with some sealer to hold them in place and seal the cut. When you pump grease into the cavity, just remove the speedometer drive gear, or at least one bolt, then pump until grease just starts to come out.

walt jones · 06-14-2015, 09:34 PM

I attempted to stop a leak from the rear of the outer u joint cover as you have suggested. I did get the leak out the rear cover to stop,

but oil continued to escape from the transmission and over powered the upper torque tube seal flooding the rear end and leaking through the axel cover seal on the right side. Transmission fluid then covered the right break shoe and leaked on the floor.

I had to bite the bullet and pull the rear end to change the torque tube and axel housing seals, while I had the rear end out, I also changed the rear transmission roller bearing, replacing it with a modern half sealed unit. I was able to do this without pulling the transmission buy removing the shift lever tower and taping the inner race of the bearing next to the rear shaft with a brass punch. Then slid new sealed bearing on shaft, only lite taps with a small hammer and brass punch were needed for these operations. The bearing was slightly tighter than sliding fit. Heating the bearing on a light bulb for a while will greatly aid sliding the bearing on the rear shaft and no taping at all will be required. Replacement of this bearing stoped the fluid from leaking out of the transmission and causing the afore mentioned problem.

Hope that you can get your leaking problem solved.

All the best.

Walt

bunnyc · 06-14-2015, 10:29 PM

Tom, thanks for the tip on pumping in the u-joint grease.

Walt, wow! that turned into a huge job. something for me to worry about.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 06-15-2015, 08:41 AM

Bunny,
"Maybe" now that you have cleaned out the plugged up trans vent, "maybe" the leaking will gradually subside??
Bill W.

bunnyc · 06-15-2015, 09:55 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Bill W, we've considered this and will monitor the leak while we wait for parts.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 06-15-2015, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunnyc

Bill W, we've considered this and will monitor the leak while we wait for parts.

The key word was "GRADUALLY" Give it a month, "MIGHT" save you a lots of WURK!
Bill W.

06-14-2015, 07:43 PM	#1
bunnyc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: KY Posts: 296	Moving on to leaks Now that our '29 runs, steers and stops to our satisfaction, we are moving on to some cosmetic issues and leaks. From what I have read, we have a common problem with a transmission lube oil leak; seeping out the U-joint outer cover grease seal. Our plan is to do what we can without removing the rear end. This amounts to replacing the outer cover grease seals and the gasket between the outer cover and inner plate. I imagine the leak will persist due to a leaking transmission seal? Should we do anything else while performing this? Oh, what is a "liberal amount of grease" for the U-joint? We don't want to blow out the new grease seals. Forgot to mention, we cleaned out the vent hole; it was plugged. Last edited by bunnyc; 06-14-2015 at 08:12 PM.

06-14-2015, 09:28 PM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Moving on to leaks You won't blow out the seals in the top and bottom clamshells. If you want to replace the 2 gaskets for the U-joint without removing the engine or rear end, then you'd have to cut the gasket at the top and install them with some sealer to hold them in place and seal the cut. When you pump grease into the cavity, just remove the speedometer drive gear, or at least one bolt, then pump until grease just starts to come out.

06-14-2015, 09:34 PM	#3
walt jones Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kansas City, Mo. Posts: 101	Re: Moving on to leaks I attempted to stop a leak from the rear of the outer u joint cover as you have suggested. I did get the leak out the rear cover to stop, but oil continued to escape from the transmission and over powered the upper torque tube seal flooding the rear end and leaking through the axel cover seal on the right side. Transmission fluid then covered the right break shoe and leaked on the floor. I had to bite the bullet and pull the rear end to change the torque tube and axel housing seals, while I had the rear end out, I also changed the rear transmission roller bearing, replacing it with a modern half sealed unit. I was able to do this without pulling the transmission buy removing the shift lever tower and taping the inner race of the bearing next to the rear shaft with a brass punch. Then slid new sealed bearing on shaft, only lite taps with a small hammer and brass punch were needed for these operations. The bearing was slightly tighter than sliding fit. Heating the bearing on a light bulb for a while will greatly aid sliding the bearing on the rear shaft and no taping at all will be required. Replacement of this bearing stoped the fluid from leaking out of the transmission and causing the afore mentioned problem. Hope that you can get your leaking problem solved. All the best. Walt __________________ Walt

06-14-2015, 10:29 PM	#4
bunnyc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: KY Posts: 296	Re: Moving on to leaks Tom, thanks for the tip on pumping in the u-joint grease. Walt, wow! that turned into a huge job. something for me to worry about.

06-15-2015, 08:41 AM	#5
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Moving on to leaks Bunny, "Maybe" now that you have cleaned out the plugged up trans vent, "maybe" the leaking will gradually subside?? Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

06-15-2015, 09:55 AM	#6
bunnyc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: KY Posts: 296	Re: Moving on to leaks Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Bill W, we've considered this and will monitor the leak while we wait for parts.