Having heard groaning noises from the back axle of my 1934 N type I decided to open it up to see what was wrong. Having removed the wheels, brake drums and half shafts (one of which was full of oil – another story!) I took off the differential case.
The cause of my problems was immediately apparent as the casing for the front pinion bearing had disintegrated and there were bits of metal everywhere. On close examination there did not appear to be any other damage so I thought the job would just involve obtaining and fitting new bearings.
What puzzled me however was there did not appear to be any oil seals which accounted for the constant drip of oil that I had earlier accepted as the norm.
The measurements of the pinion housing end cap internal diameter was 1.265 thous, (and I noticed this was spiralled), the outside diameter of the pinion to prop shaft flange was 1.225 thous, and a washer that fitted just inside the pinion housing end cap was 1.256 thous. The pinion to prop shaft flange appeared to be quite worn and the unworn part measured 1.230 thous (original dimension I presume)
If the spiralling of the end cap is intended to stop oil leaks should not the tolerance between the end cap internal diameter and the pinion to prop shaft flange outside diameter be much less?
Whilst I had my diff in pieces I fitted the flange to the pinion shaft and mounted this between centres in my trusty Myford. I was able to turn off the scroll and polish the surface - I also trued up the face that fits to the UJ. Likewise I was able to fit the steel bearing carrier in the lathe and bore out the female scroll. I machined the diameters to fit a lip seal that I bought from BSL in Glasgow - the cost was about ú3.
Paul & Jan Thanks for your comments. A lip seal is the obvious solution and it is good to know that others have had the same problem. I shall proceed to get a lip seal and have the necesary machining done to acomodate it. Thanks again
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Posted - 14/08/2007 : 10:06:08
