MTFCA Forum

So my project to address leaking axle seals may have morphed into a bigger project. I removed the rear end from my 1924 TT to address the inner oil seals which I knew were bad. I had patched things together last year by replacing the inner and out bearing seals but knew that I was getting differential oil down the axle housing to the bearings. I got the rear end apart and following the MFTCA Ruxtell/Rear End booklet started inspecting various components. First I found that the right side axle is worn down to 1.610 and the book says maximum wear from original is 1.620. Then I noted a small spall in the worm gear. Wear is not bad and the ring gear does not appear to have any abnormal wear patterns from the spall even thought it is in the middle of the gear and on the forward thrust surface. For you TT experts, any thought on a source for a replacement axle and whether the worm spall is a major concern? I would love to upgrade to high speed gears but have not found any available in recent times.

Hmm,
well,
I would recommend replacing that worm, but then again if its all you have I would probably use it ad 'close my ears' to noises. The crown wheel looks past its best date as well.

There was a chap in Texas I think who was making new high speed crown wheels and worms. Sorry i don't recall the details but someone here may be bale to help.

Those axles will always leak. You could try to find a modern neoprene seal with a smaller inside diameter. It may be possible, but the better solution is to change the axles.
The issue is that the bearings have most likely worn through the hardened outside of the axle, so wear is only going to get worse.

Or perhaps a request here on the forum my unearth some gears and axles - I am sure our members have more than 1 stored away. I would be happy to help you but freight from New Zealand would probably be enough buy you a whole new TT ...

Keep an eye on eBay, I picked up a spare slow set on there last year for $100 bucks. I too dove into the abyss on rebuild, decided to live with the occasional seepage on the seals. Filled with a qt of Lucas gear oil and a qt of Lucas oil stabilizer. Been in there for 4 years now and pleased with it.

TT's are for owners that are very flexible and attuned to checking
lube levels and "radar up" for leaks and odd noises. Like it is for
T owners, hoarding certain parts and/or knowing sources is also a
solid plan for enjoying lots of trouble-free miles. I probably have
a spare set of farm gears, if you want an extra set. Let me know,
and I can check.

Bruce,
I almost sure I have a good set of the low speed worm and bronze ring gear, I could sell. email me if you are interested.
Also I will have to look too, but I may have two high speed bronze ring gears to sell too, but no worm gears. email me if you are interested.

My TT right rear was leaking Diff Oil out and soaking the Rockys on that side.. Something went aims when my dad had the gears changed from Low to High Speed by the local Transmission Shop..

Dad fought with the Leak until he passed it off to me before his passing.. The ONLY way I was able to seal up the leak, was take a Block of Aluminum, and whiddle up a Seal Holder that used a Large Cross Section Chevron Oil Seal ( Seal only, Like used in air/Oil Cylinders ) and fit it in as far as I could behind the Outer Roller Bearing Outer Race. I had to Notch the OD of the Seal Holder I made to Clear the Three Rivets that hold the casting to the Axel Tube.. NOTE:.. the Rivets are not 120 Deg Apart!..
I made a tight fit, and did a bunch of dry fits on it before 'Gluing' it in place with RTV Gasket maker.. One Chance to get it right.

The 'Piece' was Drilled and tapped to be able to be placed and retrieved using 10-24 All Thread Rods, to use as handles. The Holes were sealed shut with the RTV after the last placement. The RTV will have to be dug out to be able to get the Retrieval Screws back in..

Dad messed with this for about 5 Years before I got the truck.. I figured I'd have to try a different approach ( Short of the Proper Disassembly and repair ).

Now it does not leak Dif oil at all..

Cap

My outer wheel oil seal, but this is made up of steel (used what we had):
Only way to stop the leak....

Thanks for all of the replies. I think I have found a good worm gear. No joy yet on the axle so may just put back together and make sure its well greased. Through researching on this forum, I got connected with Tom at Model A Works and he has a set of properly sized felts coming for the inside seals and the driveshaft. I know they won’t perfectly seal it up but they will be a lot better than what I found when I got her open ie essentially disintegrated. Here she is last summer at the Texas State Railroad.