how to check the level of lube in the rear end of a 1914?
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
-
Topic author - Posts: 43
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 5:48 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Magill
- Location: Bedford In
- MTFCA Number: 4444
how to check the level of lube in the rear end of a 1914?
I should know this but I dont, I stuck my little finger as far as I could but didnt get any on it. Thanks in advance Tim
-
- Posts: 473
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:15 pm
- First Name: Wayne
- Last Name: Jorgensen
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Runabout, 1918 Runabout
- Location: Batavia, IL
- MTFCA Number: 31697
- MTFCI Number: 23399
- Board Member Since: 2013
Re: how to check the level of lube in the rear end of a 1914?
I believe the oil level should be 1" below the bottom of the filler hole. I made a measuring device out of a bent section of coat hanger wire.
Last edited by WayneJ on Mon Sep 26, 2022 10:12 am, edited 1 time in total.
Wayne Jorgensen, Batavia, IL
1915 Runabout
1918 Runabout
1915 Runabout
1918 Runabout
-
Topic author - Posts: 43
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 5:48 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Magill
- Location: Bedford In
- MTFCA Number: 4444
Re: how to check the level of lube in the rear end of a 1914?
Thanks Wayne I will try that. Tim
-
- Posts: 4359
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:18 pm
- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Tomaso
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring, 1919 Centerdoor, 1924 TT C-Cab Express, 1925 Racer
- Location: Longbranch, WA
- MTFCA Number: 14972
- MTFCI Number: 15411
- Board Member Since: 2001
Re: how to check the level of lube in the rear end of a 1914?
Open cotter pin to 90 degrees also works and we all those hanging around !
-
- Posts: 6443
- Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:08 pm
- First Name: Pat
- Last Name: McNallen
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926-7 roadster
- Location: Graham, Texas
- MTFCA Number: 51486
- Board Member Since: 2021
Re: how to check the level of lube in the rear end of a 1914?
I prefer the bent wire / cotter pin method. It's more accurate, and cleanup is easier. If you want a sample of the lube, use a 6" length of clear plastic tubing. Insert one end into the housing and put a finger over the other end to withdraw a sample, or use a suction gun. It's best to do this after a drive. If the axle is loaded with congealed grease, I'd consider removing it and replacing it with gear oil, or at least adding some 80/90 gear oil, if there's room, and driving the car a few miles in warm weather, which might liquify the old grease and allow suctioning most of it out. Avoid overfilling the axle, which will probably cause oil to leak out the axle seals onto the brakes and wheels. Old, stiff grease may not reach surfaces that require lubrication.
-
- Posts: 339
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 5:25 pm
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Saylor
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1921 Touring, 1927 Tudor
- Location: Citrus Heights, Ca
- MTFCA Number: 1695
- MTFCI Number: 23870
- Board Member Since: 1999
Re: how to check the level of lube in the rear end of a 1914?
Oil level will depend on the year of your rear axle. Early axles had the fill hole above the centerline of the axle, which led to over filling. Oil needs to be below the center line of the axle to keep it out of the axle tubes. Later housings (1920?) have the oil hole below center line. I usually fill those to where it just starts to run out.
-
Topic author - Posts: 43
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 5:48 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Magill
- Location: Bedford In
- MTFCA Number: 4444
Re: how to check the level of lube in the rear end of a 1914?
Thanks for all the replies, mine is a 1914. I tried the bent wire method Wayne suggested and it was right on the mark, I don't know the condition of the oil or the rearend yet. the car was in a museum from 1935 till 1970 when it was sold in a auction,, the man that bought it painted the body and fenders but didn't do anything to the rest of it. it runs good but I only drive it around the addition I live in until I can pull the rear axle and go thru it.
-
- Posts: 837
- Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 7:24 pm
- First Name: Robert
- Last Name: Peterson
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 tr, 1916 rdts, 1921 tr, 1923 rdst, 1925 cp. 1927 pu, 1927 tr.
- Location: MN
- MTFCA Number: 26652
Re: how to check the level of lube in the rear end of a 1914?
Hi, What works really good to check the rearend level is a Q-tip, bend it in half and put it in, even us older people with bad eyesight can see oil on the white tip. Thanks, Bob.
-
Topic author - Posts: 43
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 5:48 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Magill
- Location: Bedford In
- MTFCA Number: 4444
Re: how to check the level of lube in the rear end of a 1914?
thats a good Idea Bob, I will try that next time. Thanks Tim