rear axle won't turn

liltwisty101 · Jan 27, 2016

I have a 1951 Ford 8n that I am replacing the leaking rear axle seals on as well as the rear hubs. I set the bearing load as described in the manual and began reassembling the parts. The right side went as planned an assembled as it should. I then assembled the left side. After tightening the left axle nut, the left rear axle would not turn, even with a cheater bar it was extremely hard to turn. After some investigation I noticed that the hub was touching the metal portion of the outer seal/retainer causing it to be extremely hard to turn. Does anyone know what could be causing this? Could it be that the seal is not centered correctly? It almost appears that the metal on the retainer that holds the outer seal has been bent inward causing a gap between the seal and the retainer on the inward side. Prior to tightening the left axle nut both axles turned as they should, one forward and one backward. Any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance. This has me puzzled and trying to figure out where I went wrong as I followed this detailed article, http://www.oldfordtractors.com/rearseal.htm ,to a t.

Bruce (VA) · Jan 27, 2016

Assuming the new hub is in spec and
installed correctly, you have a bad axle. Do
the axle splines extend past the hub?
75 Tips

JMOR · Jan 27, 2016

(quoted from post at 17:11:45 01/27/16) I have a 1951 Ford 8n that I am replacing the leaking rear axle seals on as well as the rear hubs. I set the bearing load as described in the manual and began reassembling the parts. The right side went as planned an assembled as it should. I then assembled the left side. After tightening the left axle nut, the left rear axle would not turn, even with a cheater bar it was extremely hard to turn. After some investigation I noticed that the hub was touching the metal portion of the outer seal/retainer causing it to be extremely hard to turn. Does anyone know what could be causing this? Could it be that the seal is not centered correctly? It almost appears that the metal on the retainer that holds the outer seal has been bent inward causing a gap between the seal and the retainer on the inward side. Prior to tightening the left axle nut both axles turned as they should, one forward and one backward. Any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance. This has me puzzled and trying to figure out where I went wrong as I followed this detailed article, http://www.oldfordtractors.com/rearseal.htm ,to a t.

ee my NTC response to you. Since you spoke of replacing inner seal, I am suspect that you have used the seal/retainer combo (A8NN4248A) where you should have used the (seal only) A8NN4251A without retainer, or maybe you have both stuffed in there? Since I can't see it, this is a bit of a WAG.

John Smith8N · Jan 27, 2016

What Bruce said. You need a new axle.

souNdguy · Jan 27, 2016

Answer depends on your reply to Bruce and jmor

liltwisty101 · Jan 27, 2016

(quoted from post at 19:12:33 01/27/16) Answer depends on your reply to Bruce and jmor

Here is the best picture that I have of the axle with the hub on it. This picture was taken during disassembly to attempt to diagnose the problem. This immediately after removing the axle nut.

liltwisty101 · Jan 27, 2016

(quoted from post at 19:12:33 01/27/16) Answer depends on your reply to Bruce and jmor

I am going to attempt to get some better picture in the morning that I will post as soon as I get them.

rickdude · Jan 27, 2016

If this is indeed a worn axle situation would it be possible to machine the inner surface of the hub to restore clearance between the hub and seal retainer? The other side of this situation would be protruding splines on the outer side of the hub, maybe a large small washer combination would allow you to get proper torque to seat the hub on the splines.Has anyone tried something like this, or is the only remedy replacing both the axle and hub with new parts?

ZANE · Jan 27, 2016

I have cut shims from banding material and inserted them in the six axle splines and moved the hub back out. Need to re tighten the hub after a few
hours running a couple of times as the shims seat.

I have a few that have been running for years that way.

Zane

Royse · Jan 27, 2016

I brightened your picture up a bit and it appears that your hub
is in too far. Looks like the axle splines protrude to me.
I have seen pieces of shim stock stuck in the splines to take up
the gap for a worn axle. Not sure how they held them all there
while assembling, I would guess with grease. Not sure how they
measured the right thickness to get the correct fit either.
I still had to take them all out and fix them right to get them to
quit leaking.

Juicybusa2 · Jan 27, 2016

I believe somewhere it was stated this is a new hub however if not many times a new hub will work with the old axle since the axle is typically harder than the hub and the hub wears quicker. If the hub is new, I agree time for a new axle

liltwisty101 · Jan 28, 2016

(quoted from post at 15:26:21 01/27/16) What Bruce said. You need a new axle.

So after more investigation today I found that the hub was tightening in to far and rubbing the bearing retainer, so I need to replace the axle. Is it possible to find good used axles or am I better spending the money and buying new? Also is there anyway to remove the bearing on my current axle to use on a new axle or do I have I buy new bearings as well? This rear seal project has began to get expensive quickly.

liltwisty101 · Jan 28, 2016

I disassembled the other side as well and found that the hub was rubbing the bearing retainer there as well. However it was not nearly as bad on the right side as it was the left. The axle was still able to turn on the right side with the hub tightened unlike the left side.

rear axle won't turn

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