The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Pinion Bearing oil seal installation

My 52 Chevrolet 3800 is leaking gear oil from the differential oil seal retainer. The old seal was worn out for sure. I have a new seal coming in tomorrow. There is a felt like item about 1/2" thick behind the seal in the retainer which seems to be in good shape. I should have paid more attention to the location of the old oil seal as far as the depth that the seal is in when installed. Does the seal when installed stay flush/even with the edge of the opening in the retainer it is pressed into?
Thanks in advance. Jim

Hy Jpnret, yes the seal should work when installed flush with the retainer, check the yoke for a wear pattern if one exists then you might be able to install the seal a little deeper into the retainer if there is clearance to do that. If no clearance then you should be able to purchase a "Speedi-Sleeve" to install over the grooved area on the yoke, hope that helps.

Thanks for the info. I did notice a slight wear line where the old seal was. I did check the price of a speedy sleeve at N--A and the price was a little more than I expected, $55. Anyhow I decided to install the seal a little deeper and see if I can avoid the additional expense. If that does not work I'll go with the sleeve as I hate leaks of any kind. I should have asked if the sleeve requires a special tool for install, but if it comes to getting the seal I'll find out then. Thanks again.
Jim

Hy Jpnret, the sleeve should come with an installation tool, or you can buy just the sleeve, hope that helps.

Hey Jim,
If the pinion is the same as a 1950 3600, I have a sleeve I purchased for mine, but did not need it. I think it's a National (NAT 99259) and purchased it from Rock Auto and it was $17 plus shipping. I would think the 3/4 ton and 1 ton are the same, but maybe not. I'm sure someone can correct me...


PS, yes sleeves come with the tool to install them.

That price seems a bit high even for the original Chicago Rawhide SKF "Speedie-Sleeve",
which is 304SS and has a 10 to 20 microinch surface finish. That comes with a driver tool
and has a flange that can be removed after installation: http://www.skf.com/files/344136.pdf

The one that Dave posted is a Timken Industrial “Redi-Sleeve”, that’s Nationals version and
its price is right up there with the SKF sleeve now at about $53. Apparently it also comes
with a driver, has a removable flange and a ground surface finish.

There is a cheaper version that is much less expensive available from NAPA but the
difference is in the quality of the surface finish. The Balkcamp sleeve does not have a ground
surface and the finish is more like what you would find on a piece of cold-rolled steel.
Here is an example of the SKF sleeve and the Balkcamp sleeve for a harmonic damper
repair: http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/148895646
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Got the new seal installed and it looks like the seal being set deeper has cured the leaking gear oil. Did not have to use the sleeve. AS always I am sincerely thankful to all those that responded and offered help. Each time I have sought help it has been like going to school, learning from people you have never met and yet are always there to assist in any way they can, what a gold mine. Thanks, all of you.
Jim