'65 c10 chevy - rear axle seal leak or wheel cylinder?

[Woogeroo]

I was rotating the tires on my '65 c10 and when I took the drum off of the right rear, I noticed this black stuff all over the brake shoes:

picture 1

So, if it is the wheel cylinder leaking, I have parts for that...

If it is a rear axle seal... how does that work? I read about it in the shop manual, but I'm fuzzy on what to do inside the differential cover and what tools to use to properly make the axle come out.

picture 2

picture 3


Any tips or suggestions welcome.

Thanks,

-W

[GreaseDog]

man, that looks too clean! clean everything off with brake parts cleaner real good, then pump the brakes (drum on or off, doesnt matter, springs will retain everything) if its a wheel clyinder, you'll see it right away. if not, its the axle seal. just based off of what im seeing, i'm betting on the axle seal.

[Woogeroo]

GreaseDog - good idea... thanks for the suggestion.

-W

[GreaseDog]

just another thought, if there is anything at all on the shoe linings, replace them while you've got them off, might as well go ahead with the wheel cylinder (since you have them), and swapping the axle seal is only a couple bolts and a c clip away, and not too expensive or hard to do. if it were mine, i'd just go ahead and kill all possibilities of a leak. good chance for a new diff cover gasket and a gear lube change too.

[NovaMan]

Originally Posted by GreaseDog

just based off of what im seeing, i'm betting on the axle seal.

+1

Put a drain pan under the pumpkin, remove the diff cover, remove carrier pin, push the axle in, remove the c-clip from the carrier (a telescoping magnet helps with that), and remove the axle. Now you can pry out the old seal and pound a new one in with a socket or a piece of pipe. When you have the axle out, have a look at the bearing surface. While you're at it, this would be a good time to change the axle bearing as well if you have the time - you'll need a slide hammer to remove the old one.

And definitely change the brake shoes!

[fire730]

Pull the rubber seals bad on the wheel cylinder and see if it is leaking internally. Smell the oil. If it stinks then it is rear end fluid.

[GreaseDog]

Originally Posted by fire730

Pull the rubber seals bad on the wheel cylinder and see if it is leaking internally. Smell the oil. If it stinks then it is rear end fluid.

good call, lets get down there and inhale the brake dust. it might be asbestos.

[Woogeroo]

Thanks for all of the information folks.

I just re-did the rear brakes last year dang it...

Now, what company makes the right kinda of quality slide hammer for my application? Where would I get one of those?

Hmn... I dunno if I have time for all this, but seems like the shop would really $$ for this with all the labor.

-W

[NovaMan]

I'd just borrow a slide hammer and a seal puller from a parts store like AutoZone.

[campaug86]

well...its not the right way, but its effective and its how ive done all my axle seals, from my old 99 blazer to my c10 to the race car...when you pull the axle out, use the end of the axle that the c clip goes into and use it to pry the old seal out. then match a socket to the size of the seal and pound it in. simple. 5 min or less.

[ImplodedmindZ]

Originally Posted by campaug86

well...its not the right way, but its effective and its how ive done all my axle seals, from my old 99 blazer to my c10 to the race car...when you pull the axle out, use the end of the axle that the c clip goes into and use it to pry the old seal out. then match a socket to the size of the seal and pound it in. simple. 5 min or less.

Thats exactly how iv replaced seals before, it works & doesnt harm anything. Thats how a guy @ the auto shop i worked @ showed me how to do it too.

[campaug86]

Originally Posted by ImplodedmindZ

Thats exactly how iv replaced seals before, it works & doesnt harm anything. Thats how a guy @ the auto shop i worked @ showed me how to do it too.

yea its shadetree, but hell it works. who wants to buy a slide hammer?

[GreaseDog]

Originally Posted by campaug86

yea its shadetree, but hell it works. who wants to buy a slide hammer?

i do! i love buying tools!

[Woogeroo]

Thanks for the replies folks.

With working and being in school... I decided to take it to the shop. I figured I'd get it apart, and hit a snag or something and it'd really mess up my schedule.

I was seriously pondering doing it myself... but it seems anytime I get that far down the rabbit hole with this truck, I need some basic part and it'll take two days to get it... so everything stops.

The fun of a daily driver!

Well, at least my folks let me borrow their rides for school and work.

Thanks again fellas,

-W

[NovaMan]

It's nice to have understanding parents.

[FarmTruk]

Whatever's leaking, from the pics posted, it doesn't look like it's terribly bad.

Like said above, every thing looks pretty clean, just some old brake dust everywhere.

[Woogeroo]

Originally Posted by NovaMan

It's nice to have understanding parents.

True that... and I have the bestest folks ever.

...A prelimnary report from the shop says there is some damage to the axle shaft... so he is running down part numbers from GM.

I have not talked to him directly yet, but it seems there is that damage, and there were some shims missing from the gears or something.

I'll keep ya'll informed... I might have to beg some part numbers off you guys tomorrow.

-W

p.s. I'm going to stop by there today and see what is up, I'm not much of a phone person.

Thanks for all of the suggestions folks.

-W

[Woogeroo]

Does anyone have any sources for axle shafts?

I found this one through google:

http://www.uspowertrain.com/axlesGM.htm

3893605 <- gm part number my mechanic gave me


I also found this one:

http://www.drivetrain.com/axle.html



Anyone else?

-W

[Woogeroo]

update:

This is another option I have found:

http://www.earlyclassic.com


search for: axle shaft


Axle Shafts, Replacement & Conversion

#02-6369AXL - '63-'69 6-Lug Replacement Axles Only

[GreaseDog]

whats wrong with th axle shaft?