Wet rear drums

[DickC]

I have recently bought two 1925 T's (one coupe and one roadster). When going through them area by area, I found both had wet rear drums. The coupe wasn't too bad but after removing the bearing and race found the inner seal was OK but not the new type. Cleaned everything, new inner seal and used the new outer cup with seal. I then went to the roadster and found the original felt seal which was leaking. Again replaced the seals and moved on to check other areas. Opened the rear end plug to check for grease. Very liquid oil/grease flowed out, about a quart. That is when I realized the real problem was not the axle seal but one of two causes. Not enough grease in the ball cap or the forth main was bad. I found both to be the problem. I bring all this up to point out that when we see wet drums the real problem may be in the ball cap and not just the seals and replacing the seals may be too much of a quick fix. DickC

[Kerry]

Dick, just a curiosity question for you, you say not the new type of seal, do you think it was original, was it the leather type? reason for asking some time back a question was asked on when Ford started to fit a inner grease retainer, they don't show up in parts books until Aug 1925 and service bulletin note on adding the spring loaded washer to them in June 1926.

[Mark Gregush]

If you are getting that much oil/grease down the T-tube, your real problem many be several things or a combination; missing or leaking plug in the tail shaft, worn 4th main, worn upper bushing in the t-tube or using the wrong grease in the u-joint ball. Being as the u-joint housing is not sealed, if leaking a minimal amount, the oil would be slung out along with liquified grease before it reaches the bushing or even drain out while the car is sitting. The u-joint would be riding against the bushing, so that in itself should help keep liquified grease/oil somewhat out of the t-tube. Not saying it can not happen, just making some suggestions of why it could.

[DickC]

Kerry, It was a leather seal shaped like the new neoprene seal today. I think I understand the several suggestions in addition to the ones I made. However, since I replaced the "forth main" and filled the ball cap with grease, I have kept and eye on the differential and it is not getting additional oil/grease. I am also using a grease in the differential that a friend recommends. He calls it portable grease and he uses it in heavy crane equipment that he runs. He has used it in several of his T's for years. Don't ask me where to get it as he pumped it into a 1 gal. container for me to use. I am not an engineer and don't know the technical aspects of grease but I have never been able to see a big difference in 600 wt. vs gear oil except for the color. The 600 wt. that I have used from our current T suppliers is tan/honey color. The portable grease is also that color but is a lot thicker and retains its consistency.

[Joe Bell]

I would check the soft plug in the driven plate, clean the square hole out add some rtv in there to stop the oil from coming out and wondering down the drive shaft tube, the early cars have no soft plug in them.