The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Sleeve Seal on Torque Tube

After putting together the torque tube on my 38, I began to ponder how the seal is accomplished at the rear of the sleeve where the collar is. As it is tightened, the seal is compressed in width and the smaller diameter decreases to seal around the driveshaft tube. Now at the same tome the outer portion of the seal expands against the threaded collar. This would seal the collar but not the threads so where is the complete seal attained?

I think what you are talking about is the Torque Tube Retainer
Sometimes for whatever reason one o-ring washer goes missing.
Or the two o-ring washers get stacked together inside the retainer cap.
My o-ring washer was missing.
You need one o-ring washer on each side of the rubber/cork seal/packing for it to seal correctly.
ilustration 1 Grp no. 5.576 washers Note: powerglide has same set-up shown, 37-54 all same size. Parts Catalog part no. 595013
illustration 2 Chevrolet's 1938 Shop Manual
Where to find

According to this 1954 Chevrolet Truck Shop Manual Picture (Remember all 1937-54 retainers caps are same size)
Figure 77, - Slip joint Packing (lower RH corner of page)
The threads are not cut all the way to the back of the retainer cap.
There looks to be a flat spot for the outside of the seal to lay onto.

I guess my question is, what stops the fluid from going between the housing and the steel washer and leaking out the threads. I think the steel washer is acting as part of the seal

There is a round rubber (maybe cork in some gasket sets) seal between the steel washers (47-54).

jorb posted a link to an illustration, above - the two metal "washers" and rubber/cork seal were used on 1/2 ton trucks' torque tubes.

"I think the steel washer is acting as part of the seal"
When the retainer cap is tightened.
The two steel washers are squishing the rubber seal, making the seal bulge on the inside & outside.
Which makes a seal on the torque tube housing and the inside of the retainer cap.

But you are correct the inner washer in the retainer cap is also doing the sealing.
But the threads themselves are doing the sealing too.
Keep in mind we are not dealing with water and nothing is under any pressure, we are dealing with 90 weight gear lube.
Thick stuff.

Also remember these truck leaked. Spots on the driveway are like territory marks.