Axles and Casings

Post by **pfgiz** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 5:17 pm

This has probably been done somewhere else, either that or it’s hidden in a post somewhere, but after some searching I still can’t find exactly what I need.

OK.

My Saloon has generated a slight fluid leak on the passenger side read wheel. It’s gear oil and not brake fluid so it’s coming from the axel itself. I’ve checked and changed the half shaft gasket but it still seeps out so I’m guessing it’s the bearing seals. I have a pair of axles and I am in the process of cleaning them up to fit one in the place of the current. I’m also hoping this will enable me to have better top end cruising should I be lucky enough to have a later differential.
My question is therefore how can I tell them apart? The one I have on my car at present has a drain plug at the bottom of the diff casing and a filler in the diff. The one I started cleaning on Sunday has both filler and drain in the casing. So which is which?
Also while I’m asking, what is the rule with gasket sealant? I seem to remember my father putting it on everything he did, was this just overcautious or is it needed.

Cheers.

Post by **PSL184** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 5:23 pm

Firstly I always use a little gasket sealant. It may not be necessary but it sure beats taking everything apart again if you get a leak

As for the diffs the casings will be marked on the top flange with the ratio's or on the carrier inside. Alternatively turn the output and count the turns the input makes. Do 10 full rotations and divide the result by 5. This will also confirm that no one has changed later internals into an early casing or vice versa......

Post by **pfgiz** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 5:26 pm

PSL184 wrote:This will also confirm that no one has changed later internals into an early casing or vice versa......

Can this be done then? As if I tried with mine I'd get one axle with two filler and one drain hole and one with no filler...
I just took it that couldn’t be done? Make’s things a little more interesting.

Post by **PSL184** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 5:28 pm

It certainly is possible to end up with an axle without a filler

Post by **pfgiz** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 5:30 pm

PSL184 wrote:It certainly is possible to end up with an axle without a filler

I'm amazed...

Post by **PSL184** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 5:34 pm

It makes fitting a 4.22 diff into a 4.55 casing more interesting

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 10:02 pm

But fortunately you can fill a measured amount of oil in through the breather!
As for gasket goo - you shouldn't need ANY! BMC certainly didn't use it when they assembled the engine and transmission - why add it now ?

Post by **PSL184** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 10:21 pm

bmcecosse wrote: As for gasket goo - you shouldn't need ANY! BMC certainly didn't use it when they assembled the engine and transmission - why add it now ?

Because it saves taking everything apart again when you find out you did need it - as I sad above !!!

I only like doing jobs once so I am probably over cautious

Anyway, BMC never used it because parts were all new and had not been bashed around a workshop floor in storage for a few years before they were fitted.... Chewing up the mounting faces and generally suffering fron corrosion and abuse.... What's so bad about gasket goo anyway

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 10:24 pm

Bodgers delight! Simples !!

Post by **8009STEVE** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 12:20 am

Bodgers delight

So you don't have Hylamors in your kit?

Post by **nigelr2000** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 8:18 am

Hylomar was good enough for Rolls Royce so I use it as well, it also helps with holding the gasket in position so it can't slip without noticing.