About 1000 miles ago I changed the right rear axle seal and now find it
leaking again. This is a semi-floating type with wire wheels on a 71 BGT.
Probably the problem is the axle collar which is somewhat pitted. I had
polished it with emery cloth but it is still pitted.
My questions are:
1. Should I replace the axle collar or use a repair sleeve over it. A new
axle collar is $35.00 US plus shipping, tax, exchange rate ... ?
2. Should there be anything between the collar and the axle like grease,
silicone, locktight, etc. or should it be installed dry? It is quite a
tight fit.
3. Should there be anything between the bearing cap, which the seal presses
into, and the axle case flange? There is apparently no paper gasket,
o-ring, or silicone or anything. Does it install dry? It is also quite a
tight fit.
I would really appreciate your opinions on this as I hate making the same
repair over again. If I hadn't tried to reuse the pitted collar I probably
wouldn't be but usually these cars can be repaired with a rebuild or an
adjustment rather than throwing new parts at them. The Ha**es Manual
doesn't go into detail.
Has anyone changed a rear axle seal on a tube type axle recently and did it
work for you?
Fred Pixley
Napanee, Ontario, Canada
fpixley@kingston.net
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