Hi! Each axle tube on my 1914 has a hole drilled on the underside toward the outer end. Can anyone tell me if some were drilled at factory or more specifically why would anyone do this. It causes a considerable drip (puddle on ground ) after a drive.

Oil from the engine often leaks past the fourth main after it wears. This oil ends up in the differential. From that point, it works outwards and dilutes the wheel bearing grease where it drips on the brake shoes.

Someone added these weeps to protect the outer axle bearings and brakes. A backyard fix that doesn't address the original problem.

Hi John,

As Tom states above the holes are an owner installed feature. I have seen them a few times over the years. One rear axle even had corks in the holes, apparently to keep out road debris and water but allowing for the occasional "draining".

I did this fix on a TT years ago . I saw it done in one of my old car publications .They drilled and taped the hole . Then they installed a 1/4 pipe nipple . stuffing it with steel wool to keep the dust out .

Kinda like "bleeding" the patient in days of old.

I'm FAR from expert on this, but it seems to me such a drain hole would function differently on a T vs. a TT.

A TT has 3 seals on each side, one just outboard the inner bearing, and one on each side of the outer bearing. Therefore, it seems to me a drain hole would only drain oil that got past the inner seal. The seals on each side of the outer bearing would not be a part of the equation.

On the other hand, a regular T does not have the inner seal. Therefore, wouldn't a drain hole allow an unrestricted path of escape for rear end lubricant?

Am I thinking right?

If I were going to resort to this "fix", I think I'd put the hole in the bottom of the ball cap. Better to fix the leak.

Thanks all! Henry You are correct Everyetime I drive the car rear end lube piles up in Dr side tube and then pours out onto the floor The plugs (cork or taps) are a necessity . I didn't think they would be factory as I have never seen them before

Is it possible your tubes are upside down ?? My tubes are also vented but on top with a flip cap to prevent junk from getting in.

No, bottom side is correct for draining excess oil before it enters the brake drums - there wasn't anything that really stopped leaking before Ford came with the leather seals inside the outer bearings in July 1925. Oil in the differential can leak out especially to the left side even without extra engine oil coming through the driveshaft tube.
Nowadays we have the flexible neoprene seals that actually works (Thanks Glen )

Weeping holes help drain that extra lune