Unregistered users may browse the website, but in order to participate in the forums and view select pages (such as "Club Contacts" and "Classified Ads") a user account is required. Click HERE to email the webmaster and request a free account. The National DeSoto Club uses real names rather than pseudonyms. Notify the webmaster of your user name preference (Johnathon Doe vs. John Doe, etc.), preferred email address, and password request.
I’m new to the forum and the Club, so if this has already been covered please direct me to the thread(s). My ‘55 Fireflite appears to be leaking lubricant through the rear axle seals on both sides. I initially thought it was the brake cylinders, but they are dry, and it’s not brake fluid. Has anyone replaced their inner and outer seals? Any details on the procedure, and where to find replacement seals would be most appreciated!
Roger Hubbs
After getting the drums off, you'll need to remove the backing plates.
I took an old axle nut and welded a nut to it that fit my slide hammer in order to pull the axles out. That'll bring the bearing, race, and outer seal out.
There are seal pullers that make pulling the inner seal easier..... I don't own one, and when I need it I'm too impatient to wait for one to get here, so I screw sheet metal screws into the inner seal and grab them with my slide hammer and yank the inner seal out.
The seals should be easily available from your local parts store. Mopar part number for the inner is 1139896, which crosses to a National 450776. Outer # is 1402443 which crosses to National 6241S
Make sure you re-pack the axle bearing when re-assembling.
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
Hey Tim....you mention a seal puller for the inner seals. I've got a leaker on driver's side of my '55 and am scheduling some shop time in a friend's shop to do this work. Do you have a link to the proper seal puller? I may want to order one. Thanks!
Mark, I think my upgrade for a seal puller would be the style pictured with the 2 fingers that will grab the backside of the seal and pull it out with the slide hammer.
i have the flat style puller also shown, and I don’t think it’s worth the space it takes up in my tool box.
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
Tim...had a Home Depot gift card so bought this kit at Depot online. Had the necessary attachments to grab and remove the axle as well as the inner seal. Good robust hammer made relatively easy work of the process.
Mark
Just to follow up on my prior inquiry, after I pulled my rear drums, I noticed the torque on the bolts which hold the bearing assemblies together on each wheel were low. So I torqued them up to spec, and this seems to have resolved my seal leaks. ????
