8N Rear Axle

Neither the FO-4 nor the Ford parts manual show those seals. The Ford parts manual shows a shim (4229) between the axle housing and the backing plate. It also shows gasket 4225 between the seal retainer and the bearing retainer.

When I took my axle apart, I had a paper gasket between the axle housing and the backing plate and the 4225 cork gasket between the the seal retainer and the bearing retainer.

When I look at the pictures at>Link

Can someone give me the straight word on what gaskets are required? Did Ford change the gasket configuaration at some point in time?

I just fixed a leaking axle today using the silicone glue. (I use black) like I always do.

I have also recently started shimming between the tapered splines on those axles where the hub can no longer be tightened because of wear in the spline. I cut six shims from extra hard material that I get at the machine supply company and insert one in each spline while the hub is about half way up on the spline. Then tighten the stuffing out of the nut. It makes the hub get tight before the hub is too far up the spline.
The shim material I am using is about .005 thick. I have not actually measured it. This is just my guess. If any of you are interested in trying this fix I will measure the shims and let you know for sure the thickness.

I could make and get them to you too if you want.

I found the Smith page helpfull but also had the same questions. I found a archived post by "Danti" (axle seal leaking badly) somewhat helpful also but did not install all the gaskets (4130) as he did.

I also talked to Don at Just 8N's. The paper gaskets are P/N 4130 and take the place of the metal shims. Guess the metal shims are hard to come by these days. I bought a pack of 10 of these 4130's and used them as a paper gasket along with my metal shims upon reassembly.

I followed the Smiths instructions on everything else.
Sorry for the long post but it's important to get it right.

Thanks for the input. I reassembled mine the same way it was when I took it apart. Hopefully that will be OK. I guess time will tell.

While I do not have the Ford "Service Manual", I didn't even know one was available 12 yrs ago when I bought my first I&T FO-4 manual. But I have heard comments to the effect that the Ford Service Manual was not the best. (what ever that is) I assumed that was a refference to the typical automotive service manual full of references to specialized tech orders, change orders, processes, and other gobble-de-gook that is typically in other manuals and not included in the service manual. Tech writers are famous for that trick.

I am satisfied with my I&T FO-4.

The 8N rear axle parts breakout drawing is less than satisfactory as it really distorts where the various parts, shims, bearings really go. The Ford Master Parts Catalog 1939-1953 probably has the clearest drawings but still compared to my Boeing Airplane parts drawings..... ugh....

I have the following handwritten notes:
the infamious rear axle cork seal is p/n 8N-4284

I believe your 8N-4225 gasket is part of 8N-4248 assy, rear axle seal (outer)

I can not find p/n 8N-4130 in the MPC. I believe the Ford Service Manual is in error.

p/n 8N-4229( ) is used as both a gasket or shim (A/R) and may be metal or paper.

This took almost 1 hr to research..... ...HTH, Dell