Re: [MV] M38 Rear Axle Question
Pfdad@aol.com
Fri, 11 Jun 1999 01:29:58 EDT
Hello Bob:
Glad to know there is a kindred soul busting knuckles on M38 rear axles!
I made a puller to get the wheel hubs off the tapered axles; one side came
off easily but the other was a scannelbooger. I was able to get the axles
out after unbolting all the grease retainer parts, backing plate, bearing
retainer and shims. I used two pieces of 3" square steel stock placed
between the axle housing flange and the loosely installed wheel hub; there is
enough thread left on the axle to turn the nut and withdraw the axle and
bearing cup. The cup is a light press fit in the axle housing.
Mine had the 7697464 rear brake grease protector and the 7375137 axle
shaft grease retainer assembly as the manual shows. There were very thin
paper gaskets either side of the retainer assembly; these are the only
gaskets at the axle ends. The axle bearings are Timken cup #25821 and Timken
cone #25877. These are readily available at industrial bearing suppliers and
I believe NAPA carries them also. The oil seal 7374988 behind the axle
bearings is available at NAPA as Chicago Rawhide #13710; this is also the
original supplier and part number.
My grease retainer assembly contained a metal cup with felt ring and
rubber disc; the metal cup was staked into the retainer flange. This is a
poor grease retainer as one of my brake drums was loaded with grease that had
oozed past the felt seal. I had a local industrial bearing supplier match a
modern metal can/rubber lip type seal to the retainer flange. I will install
it so that the rubber lip is tightened against the axle under grease
pressure. This seal is National/Federal Mogul #331301. It is about .004"
larger in O.D. than the old one but I think it will go in and be a much
better seal. I also will make sure that the pressure relief valves at the
axle bearings are in working order.
The pinion seal is Chicago Rawhide #15788, available from NAPA. This is a
one-piece seal and takes the place of 500071 drive pinion oil seal and
7372855 drive pinion oil seal gasket.
I found that my differential side bearings needed replacing but the pinion
bearings are still serviceable. The 7032629 rear axle housing cover gasket
is NAPA #P27768T.
Sorry for the long description; hope this helps.
Best regards,
Phil Fentress, Memphis TN
'52 M38 now in many bags and boxes to keep the kids and dog out while I'm at
my day job.
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