Leak Down By The Drive Shaft

[Deleted User]

Work continues on the '54 Jet. I'm re-doing the brake lines and have discovered a leak where the drive shaft enters the transaxle.

Ideas? Is there a source for a what I'm guessing is an O-ring?

Thanks!
Mike

Park_W

You mean the rear axle?  (it doesn't have a "transaxle").  There's a seal that's probably leaking axle lubricant.  It's accessed by removing the big nut and the u-joint "trunion."

[Deleted User]

Finally getting to this seal.  Can you tell me what it's called and where to get a replacement?

Park_W

It's called a differential pinion shaft seal, or just "pinion seal.".  Info on seals for the Jet is hard to find.  Hope someone from the "Jet Set" will jump in here and help with a number.  Or you can remove the seal and get the number from it.  NAPA probably has it.  Or, you might try a friendly counter-person at NAPA or other major parts store.  Some of them still have applicable look-up info or can get it with a call to their "headquarters."

Geoff

 CR15788 or National 5778 is seal Number for jet.

[Deleted User]

Thanks guys, just picked up a 15788 at Napa.  $22 including tax.  Now comes the fun part of taking the U-joint off  to put this little bugger on.

Frankvintagefullflowcom

You'll find that the U-joint is the easy part.
F

[Deleted User]

how difficult is the pinion shaft bolt going to be to remove? Should I just give up and live with the leak? ha ha.
Any advice??

Jon B

Shouldn't be hard, though it may be rusted on by this time.  Of course you'll want a rather large socket wrench and plenty of penetrating oil. 

[Deleted User]

Anything special I should know about this dang nut? It's not reverse-threaded is it? I can't get it to budge and the entire car rocks back and forth when I'm trying! lol.

brnhornet52*

Hi mb,

          Pretty sure you might have to use an air impact gun on it.  I think the torque spec is pretty high
like 200 lbs?  I had mine done by a garage, and thats how they did it.

lostmind

Be carfeul , you can lift the car off of jack stands with enough leverage. An impact gun is the safest if you're lying under the car. A large pipe wrench over the yoke with a pipe on the end can be wedged to stop the yoke from turning. You probably will have to put a cheater pipe on a breaker bar to break it loose if you don't have an impact. Be careful.

Uncle Josh

There should be a vent on top of the axle about half way from the punkin to the wheel on the left side. If that gets plugged up with dirt, it will build up pressure in the rear end and push grease out of the pinion seal. A little WD and rotating the little cover should clean it out, and may solve your leak.

[Deleted User]

I'll check out the vent in the morning. Thanks for the tip! This is turning into a very big headache. (can't find new u-joints that fit)

Geoff

 They are a common U-joint. I can buy them off the shelf here in N.Z.

[Deleted User]

Okay, here's the issue.  The u-joint for my '54 Jet is on the left.  The u-joint I'm finding at parts stores (part number 341) is on the right.  Obviously there is something wrong!! ha ha.

Geoff

Right, the U-joints are exactly the same as the Senior models,  which are exactly the same as '55-'62 Chev,  Ford '49-67, etc. and you shuiold be able to just buy them off the shelf.   soem numbers: Precision 329/   Wesgo N-2115-R.  Spicer 5-200-X.  Just take your old joint to NAPA or Pepboys and show them. 

[Deleted User]

Success!!  The Napa part 369 looked to be an exact fit! I've got both of
them on the prop shaft and the shaft back on the car.  NO LEAKS from
the rear axle!!



A huge "thanks" to everyone who helped me thru this ordeal.  Now it's on
to finish the turn signals and then removing the chrome trim.



Once again, THANKS!!