dgrinnan Posted April 8 Report Share Posted April 8 (edited) I have a 47 WC with the original rear axle. My right site is leaking around the inner seal, and I am getting differential fluid leaking onto my wheel. Background. I had the entire differential rebuilt with all new axle bearings. When I reassembled the rear end, installed the differential and axles I realized I had ordered new outer seals but not inner seals. I decided to reassemble using the old inners seals. They appeared to be in good condition. The left/driver side is good but as expected it was a crap shoot. the left side is leaking, and I have to pull the right axle back out and replace the seal. Here is my question. DCM Classics list 4 different options for seal size. The options cover 1939 through 1953. I am hoping there are different options based on which year vehicle it is and not various options for the same year. Does anyone know which seal I need to order for an original 47 rear axle. I can always pull the axle and put a micrometer on it, but I prefer to have the part in my hand before I pull the axle out. It appears in the shop manual the exploded view of the rear axle refers to it as the "Axle drive shaft oil washer". Option A Option B Option C Outside Diameter 2.445" 2.69" 2.441" Housing Bore 2.437" 2.686" 2.437" Shaft Size 1.375" 1.437" 1.375" Width/Thickness 0.250" 0.375" 0.375" Option A Option B Option C Added : Option D OD 2.440 ID 1.410, .250 thick Edited April 8 by dgrinnan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgrinnan Posted April 8 Author Report Share Posted April 8 Additional information. The axle race is Timken 25520 Wheel Bearing Race for Dodge B-1. I have searched and searched. I thought for sure any site selling this part would list the specs dimensions. No luck so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgrinnan Posted April 8 Author Report Share Posted April 8 It took a lot of digging on the bearing size, but I found a measurement for one of my bearings that map to the shaft size. I think I am Option B. Good thing I documented all the parts and part numbers I purchased and installed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Roberts Posted April 8 Report Share Posted April 8 2 hours ago, dgrinnan said: The axle race is Timken 25520 Wheel Bearing Race for Dodge B-1. Your truck is a 1947 , you mention a race for a B-1 . B-1 is a 1948 - 1949 truck . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgrinnan Posted April 8 Author Report Share Posted April 8 Even though the part is listed as for a B-! apparently it is the same and fits the 47. It was a real struggle and took a few weeks to track down the parts to rebuild my differential and bearings for the axles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Harrison Posted April 8 Report Share Posted April 8 Seals typically leak as the bearing wears and that also tends to elongates the seal. This is a typical issue with these trucks. Am pretty sure there is a date stamp on your axel. I believe in the 39-47 series there was only two axel sizes the prior to 47 the axels were smaller. So if the stamping is late 46/47 you probably take the late seal and I can give you the factory part number if it is of any use. Not sure exactly when the change came in but prior to 47 and I am pretty sure it was the same for early B trucks. If you use an original leather seal be sure and soak the seal overnight in oil and work the stiffness out a little bit with say a wooden dowel, tool handle or something. Either way I know you will oil the seal where it goes on the shaft I would use assembly lube myself. I have heard it said that the older leather seals are not as hard on the axel shafts as the new neoprene seals. You may have wear on the axel shafts so you might be able to find a speedy sleeve to fit. I honestly think that all the speedy sleeves are made by the same manufacture and reboxed. I think I used SKf's chart to come up with a sleeve for the 4 speed tail shaft and I posted a how to on our the 39-47 Dodge site on how to install one if that helps. Bob Harrison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgrinnan Posted April 9 Author Report Share Posted April 9 When re-inserting the axle with the new seal, should it be pushed in until it hits something or just until it clears the outer bearings and seal. Is there a specific depth on the axle it should be sitting? I wasn't sure if there was something in the axle tube that acts as a stop when slipping the inner seal in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBNeal Posted April 9 Report Share Posted April 9 From studying earlier posts on rear axles, sometimes the axle seals leak due to bearing wear. After rebuilding several Dodge and Dana axles, critical measurements need to be compared to specifications in order to prevent premature component wear...lots of tedious work, but it'll extend service life. additional information - rear axle shaft end play Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgrinnan Posted April 22 Author Report Share Posted April 22 Problem solved. I replaced the seal this past weekend. There is a specific depth and stop when installing the seal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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