The Ford Barn

chl · 06-07-2015, 05:20 PM

31 deluxe delivery, Found heavy leakage on brake cross shaft below speedo box. Seems to be dripping off speedo box but is all around U joint housing where it meets the torque tube. Took off speedo box and regreased U joint, took a lot of grease. Went for a 30 mile drive and still have the problem. I know its coming from the U joint but where is it escaping?

Patrick L. · 06-07-2015, 05:26 PM

Thats coming from the ujoint felts. The transmission oil is mixing with the joint grease and seeping out past the seal/felts. Once you remove the cover you'll see the seals/felts.
That said, I'm wondering if the transmission is over filled or the bearing slinger is missing.

Tom Endy · 06-07-2015, 06:18 PM

it appears that oil from the transmission is getting into the U-joint housing. This could be caused by the bolt that holds the U-joint to the transmission output shaft backing off. There is a special washer with a notch in it that fits against the end of the output shaft and the U-joint and blocks the splines. It is there to prevent oil from passing down the splines of the output shaft, under the rear bearing, and into the U-joint housing. If the bolt backs off the washer comes loose and allows oil to flow.

The washer could also be missing, or substituted with an ordinary flat washer.

Tom Endy

Benson · 06-07-2015, 10:03 PM

Could be that the vent hole is plugged up in the transmission tower right below the shift lever.

Hole is in the rear of the transmission tower ... hole is about 1/8th inch or so.

Note: hole is even with or below where the floor board meets the tower as I remember.

Floor board must be removed to see where hole is.

Vent is usually plugged with dirt and pressure builds up and blows oil out of transmission.

stouchton · 06-08-2015, 09:49 AM

I'm kind of curious about the worst case scenario here.

Mine started doing the same thing - I was blaming it on over filling with corn head lube when I greased the universal housing last fall (removed speedo bolt, but never had anything come out - quit when I thought I pumped enough in).

Tranny level is fine, diff level is fine. I just have a thick greasy goo coming out around universal cover - not severe, but a new leak for me.

Safe to run or should I disassemble and inspect? - that talk of the loose bolt got me nervous!

Tom Wesenberg · 06-08-2015, 11:58 AM

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You should be safe as long as the tranny and rear end are full of gear oil. Mine will also pussh a little grease out because I packed it full, and when the U-joint spins it moves the grease enough to push some out. I'd rather see some grease coming out than to see nothing coming out.

BTW, being a bit more specific in the title question will help get answers and also help in a future search. Just adding "U-joint grease" to the title would be a big help.

stouchton · 06-08-2015, 12:01 PM

Thank you sir - I will drive it like I stole it!!!!!

06-07-2015, 05:26 PM	#2
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: What's the cause & solution Thats coming from the ujoint felts. The transmission oil is mixing with the joint grease and seeping out past the seal/felts. Once you remove the cover you'll see the seals/felts. That said, I'm wondering if the transmission is over filled or the bearing slinger is missing.

06-07-2015, 06:18 PM	#3
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,131	Re: What's the cause & solution it appears that oil from the transmission is getting into the U-joint housing. This could be caused by the bolt that holds the U-joint to the transmission output shaft backing off. There is a special washer with a notch in it that fits against the end of the output shaft and the U-joint and blocks the splines. It is there to prevent oil from passing down the splines of the output shaft, under the rear bearing, and into the U-joint housing. If the bolt backs off the washer comes loose and allows oil to flow. The washer could also be missing, or substituted with an ordinary flat washer. Tom Endy

06-07-2015, 10:03 PM	#4
Benson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,599	Re: What's the cause & solution Could be that the vent hole is plugged up in the transmission tower right below the shift lever. Hole is in the rear of the transmission tower ... hole is about 1/8th inch or so. Note: hole is even with or below where the floor board meets the tower as I remember. Floor board must be removed to see where hole is. Vent is usually plugged with dirt and pressure builds up and blows oil out of transmission.

06-08-2015, 09:49 AM	#5
stouchton Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Pottstown, PA Posts: 342	Re: What's the cause & solution I'm kind of curious about the worst case scenario here. Mine started doing the same thing - I was blaming it on over filling with corn head lube when I greased the universal housing last fall (removed speedo bolt, but never had anything come out - quit when I thought I pumped enough in). Tranny level is fine, diff level is fine. I just have a thick greasy goo coming out around universal cover - not severe, but a new leak for me. Safe to run or should I disassemble and inspect? - that talk of the loose bolt got me nervous!

06-08-2015, 11:58 AM	#6
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: What's the cause & solution Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) You should be safe as long as the tranny and rear end are full of gear oil. Mine will also pussh a little grease out because I packed it full, and when the U-joint spins it moves the grease enough to push some out. I'd rather see some grease coming out than to see nothing coming out. BTW, being a bit more specific in the title question will help get answers and also help in a future search. Just adding "U-joint grease" to the title would be a big help.

06-08-2015, 12:01 PM	#7
stouchton Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Pottstown, PA Posts: 342	Re: What's the cause & solution Thank you sir - I will drive it like I stole it!!!!!