Rear axle - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

tim m · 06-12-2002, 08:31 AM

The rear axle housing is leaking gear oil, it is where the tube is pressed into the housing. Can I just weld a bead around it to seal it, or is there some other way to fix this?

Mike C · 06-12-2002, 08:53 AM

Are you sure it is leaking from the tube? Sometimes it can be coming from a gasket or front seal and migrates. Also check the vent tube on top to make sure it's not puking due to overfill. You can weld the tube to the housing, and a lot of faster vehicles do so to keep from rotating the tube in the housing (!) but be careful. Localized heating can warp the housing so keep welds short and rotate the housing. ie weld an inch, and rotate the housiing 120 degrees, weld another inch, rotate another 120 degrees, weld another inch. Let the whole thing cool, then start next to your first weld.

*Fast68Chevy* · 06-13-2002, 02:30 AM

and keep in mind that the diff housing is iron and the tubes are steel so welding wil be little different, i have come across some 12 bolt axles with welded tubes that soemone has welded all the way around on. i havew one such axle here soemwhere stashed away but am tossing soon for scrappers to haul away, its a 69 one.

tim m · 06-13-2002, 08:09 AM

Is there any other way to fix it then. That was the only way I could think of to fix it.

Mike C · 06-13-2002, 04:05 PM

Steam clean it/pressure wash it/degrease it then put new pinion seal and cover gasket on and eyeball it for a few days to pinpoint the source of the leak and then proceed from there. As noted before, the tubes can be carefully welded, but be sure that's the source of your leak first. Also check the vent to make sure it's not clogged up.

06-12-2002, 08:31 AM	#1
tim m Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Gilbert Az Posts: 286	Rear axle The rear axle housing is leaking gear oil, it is where the tube is pressed into the housing. Can I just weld a bead around it to seal it, or is there some other way to fix this? __________________ 1970 k10 1971 C10 Gilbert Az

06-12-2002, 08:53 AM	#2
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,714	Are you sure it is leaking from the tube? Sometimes it can be coming from a gasket or front seal and migrates. Also check the vent tube on top to make sure it's not puking due to overfill. You can weld the tube to the housing, and a lot of faster vehicles do so to keep from rotating the tube in the housing (!) but be careful. Localized heating can warp the housing so keep welds short and rotate the housing. ie weld an inch, and rotate the housiing 120 degrees, weld another inch, rotate another 120 degrees, weld another inch. Let the whole thing cool, then start next to your first weld. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

06-13-2002, 08:09 AM	#4
tim m Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Gilbert Az Posts: 286	Is there any other way to fix it then. That was the only way I could think of to fix it. __________________ 1970 k10 1971 C10 Gilbert Az

06-13-2002, 02:30 AM	#3
Fast68Chevy Account Suspended Join Date: May 2000 Location: IL Posts: 0	and keep in mind that the diff housing is iron and the tubes are steel so welding wil be little different, i have come across some 12 bolt axles with welded tubes that soemone has welded all the way around on. i havew one such axle here soemwhere stashed away but am tossing soon for scrappers to haul away, its a 69 one.

06-13-2002, 04:05 PM	#5
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,714	Steam clean it/pressure wash it/degrease it then put new pinion seal and cover gasket on and eyeball it for a few days to pinpoint the source of the leak and then proceed from there. As noted before, the tubes can be carefully welded, but be sure that's the source of your leak first. Also check the vent to make sure it's not clogged up.



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