Bugeye hypoid leak from paper hub gasket.

[Fred_Maves]

My parts guy told me to never use any sealant on the thin paper gasket that joins the axel hub to the wheel hub. Well, it leaks. I removed it and did not observe any gasket damage. The two metal surfaces that mate together are less than perfect yet look pretty good. The o-ring looks good, too.

1. Can I use a light coating of Peramtex Form-a-Gasket?

or

2. Cut a replacement gasket using thicker material? I have a roll of 1/32 stock.

 

[Sarastro]

Is the o-ring in place? There should be an o-ring in the groove as well as the paper gasket.

This joint is notoriously leaky. Some people here use a sealer. I don't see any problem with doing that.

 

[Guest]

I always change both of them when I pull an axle. I keep several spares on hand. I never did understand why they use both a o-ring and a gasket. IIRC, Hap uses and recommends sealer especially for race cars...but I could be wrong.

Nothing wrong w/ using sealer although there will be some clean up require after each tear down.

 

[aeronca65t]

Be sure not to over fill the diff.

I have seen folks use sealer only with no gasket. And others swear by only the gasket with no sealer.


If the problem persists after repair, it's probably a bad hub seal (you have to take off the large center nut under the axle to get at this).
It's #36 below.

In older cars cars (probably most of our's), you may need a Speedi-Sleeve to repair the seal surface.

 

[Guest]

Be sure not to over fill the diff.

I have seen folks use sealer only with no gasket.

Thanks for clarifying that. I mighta sounded a bit fuzzy.

 

[Gerard]

I use Hylomar. It will allow you to remove/separate without damage. It IS however, very important to clean all surfaces well and to make sure there are not any burrs/high spots.

Here is a complete set of instructions.

https://gerardsgarage.com/Garage/Tech/rearAxleSeal.htm

 

[JPSmit]

and, conventional wisdom (and the manuals) say fill the diff till oil runs out of the hole. Filling it only till you just touch it sticking your pinkie in the hole is a better level. (just don't get your pinkie stuck!)

 

[Fred_Maves]

Thanks to all,

I used the Form-A-Gasket and so far so good. Once again the response to my posts continues to be most pleasing. I love this site !

Fellow Bugeye Guy Fred