John Morrison Posted October 13, 2022 Report Share Posted October 13, 2022 More planned winter work on my TR4 is to try and tackle an oil weep I have from where the axle tube fits into the diff casing, I'm thinking of having this specialist welded, it being disimilar metals and all, anyone any experience of fixing this? John. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie D Posted October 13, 2022 Report Share Posted October 13, 2022 Hello John, In another recent thread I mentioned the use of “Denso tape” to wrap around the rear springs of solid axle cars. It got me thinking of other uses of the tape and the problem you have was one I thought about. Denso tape is an ancient industrial material that has been used to seal 1001 different things in the past and with something like a small weep from the axle case/tube joint I think it would work well. Provided the air vent on the casing is clear there will be no pressure trying to force the oil out, it will just be leaking due to gravity. Just a single layer, overlapped 50% and going a couple of inches each side of the leak may well do it. Worth a try as it will only cost a few quid and take maybe half an hour to do. To take the axle out, and get it welded would take several hours (Plus a lot of swearing) and cost a lot more. Charlie Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted October 13, 2022 Report Share Posted October 13, 2022 (edited) Hi John, this has been around for a very long time and can work https://www.frost.co.uk/oyltite-stik-oil-leak-sealer/ I think welding would be difficult. Perhaps Braze or even soft solder. Roger Edited October 13, 2022 by RogerH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted October 13, 2022 Report Share Posted October 13, 2022 Does it mean the axle tube is loose in the centre casing? Had that issue on a Californian 3A some years ago. It dripped oil from the tube to case joint when driving Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted October 13, 2022 Report Share Posted October 13, 2022 Often caused by jacking the rear of the car up on the diff casing, something I no longer do. Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mastaphixa Posted October 13, 2022 Report Share Posted October 13, 2022 I have been jacking mine from the diff case. Is there a preferred single jack point at the rear of the car? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie D Posted October 13, 2022 Report Share Posted October 13, 2022 10 minutes ago, Lebro said: Often caused by jacking the rear of the car up on the diff casing, something I no longer do. Ahhh.... I never thought of that as something not to do. Thanks for the advice. 6 minutes ago, Mastaphixa said: have been jacking mine from the diff case. Is there a preferred single jack point at the rear of the car? I'd be interested to know as well. The only central points would be the two round tubes at the back. They look too delicate, so I've never used them. Charlie Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted October 13, 2022 Report Share Posted October 13, 2022 Simple answer fit one of these https://www.racetorations.co.uk/product/girling-axle-tube-brace-kit-tr3-4/ Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted October 13, 2022 Report Share Posted October 13, 2022 I now jack under chassis on one side, lower onto axle stand then do same on other side. Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Morrison Posted October 29, 2022 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2022 Following on from my initial post, I have new springs to fit over the winter, and probobly will take the opportunity to remove the axle and have it sorted. With the springs off, will the axle come out sideways with the hubs fitted? John. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chilliman Posted October 29, 2022 Report Share Posted October 29, 2022 Spring removal won't make any difference to the axle removal John, because it sits above the chassis rails it will still need to be moved sideways one way initially until you can drop the other end down inside the chassis rail & out from underneath. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Morrison Posted October 29, 2022 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2022 Understood John, but can it be done with the hubs, backplates etc in place, 'cause they are all OK. John. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motorsport Mickey Posted October 29, 2022 Report Share Posted October 29, 2022 (edited) Clearance underneath is very tight, I've always found it easiest to pull the hubs (retain shims in their order each side) and suspend the backplates with brake shoes and hydraulics (all still connected and untaouched) from above and wiggle the bare axle out. Some rags underneath help in case a seal has leaked inside and oil is laying within the tube. The time taken to remove hubs and back plates is repayed in less swearing trying to remove a fully built up axle (including it's extra weight with hubs, halfshafts, rear plates and shoes etc). I seem to remember (been 30 years since I pulled the axle) it's only got about 1/4" clearance on the end of the stripped axle tube against the chassis frame, when the axle and diff is pushed across fully the other side. Mick Richards Edited October 29, 2022 by Motorsport Mickey Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted October 29, 2022 Report Share Posted October 29, 2022 Hi Mick, you have a PM from a few days ago. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chilliman Posted October 29, 2022 Report Share Posted October 29, 2022 As per Mick's reply John, I don't think it's possible with back plates & hubs/halfshafts attached, I've done four axle swaps so far this year and have now got it down to a couple of hours but as Mick says - just suspend the back plates/with brake lines attached - the flexi hose to the front of the axle gives more than enough play for this. the combination of weight & additional length would make it very difficult if not impossible to do with the hubs & half shafts still in. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motorsport Mickey Posted October 29, 2022 Report Share Posted October 29, 2022 4 hours ago, RogerH said: Hi Mick, you have a PM from a few days ago. Roger Hi Roger, Sorry I’d missed that, you have a message back. regards Mick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MichaelH Posted October 30, 2022 Report Share Posted October 30, 2022 (edited) Two things to add One: had the tubes welded into the "Pig's head" central diff housing when I wanted to go rallying in the 4. I took the axle to a welder friend who TIG welded the tubes while I waited. Two: I cut some marine ply and bolted it to the two tubes at the back of the chassis, the bolt heads being let into the ply. This creates a solid simple easily found place to locate a trolley jack Regards to all MichaeH PS image upside down sorry! Edited October 30, 2022 by MichaelH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Morrison Posted October 30, 2022 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2022 Thanks Michael John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted October 30, 2022 Report Share Posted October 30, 2022 Don't mention it ! Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MichaelH Posted October 30, 2022 Report Share Posted October 30, 2022 Thank you Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.