David Jenkins
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| posted on 12/10/12 at 01:45 PM |
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Escort rear axle oil level?
The oil level in my Ford Escort 'English' axle is almost certainly low due to the bad oil leak through one of the bearings (which
I'm in the process of fixing).
When I put it all back together I don't want to just pour in the correct volume of oil as there's some still in there - is there a way of
identifying the correct level without having to drain all the old stuff out? (which would be amazingly difficult as the axle is still in the car!).
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adithorp
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| posted on 12/10/12 at 02:01 PM |
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The level is level (or just below) the bottom edge of the filler hole. Just top up untill it runs out of the filler.
"A witty saying proves nothing" Voltaire
http://jpsc.org.uk/forum/
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 12/10/12 at 03:17 PM |
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Thanks!
I'll try that once it's all back together. 
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Daddylonglegs
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| posted on 12/10/12 at 03:34 PM |
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But don't do what I did and fill it with the back axle off the ground to give me access! DOH!! otherwise the level will be wrong 
or at least if you do have the rear off the ground, make sure the front is too to keep the car level
[Edited on 12/10/12 by Daddylonglegs]
It looks like the Midget is winning at the moment......
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 12/10/12 at 03:46 PM |
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Or do what I did the first time I pulled the half-shaft out many years ago... ended up with a litre of smelly black oil all over my shoes!
This time I made sure that the end I'm working on was a bit higher than the other side before I pulled the half-shaft out...
[Edited on 12/10/12 by David Jenkins]
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procomp
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| posted on 12/10/12 at 06:24 PM |
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Hi
Fill to the level with axle in the car and on the ground. when you get to the correct level, Jack the rear up and then add an extra 1/4 pint.
That's to account for the oil that seeps up the axle tube when cornering hard and the oil is hot.
Cheers Matt
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johnemms
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| posted on 12/10/12 at 07:24 PM |
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I took both half shafts out..
Brake cleaned everything..
Intant gasket..
Assembled..
About an hour n half to do both
Only found the leaky axle/brake drum the day before IVA 
Would clearly have failed if i had'nt spotted it..
Worse still - the oil had gotten onto the rear tyre - accident waiting to happen!!
[Edited on 12/10/12 by johnemms]
Own chassis & Build - First time pass!!
"7's" aren't really "cars", they are 'experiences"
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 12/10/12 at 08:54 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by johnemms
I took both half shafts out..
Brake cleaned everything..
Intant gasket..
Assembled..
About an hour n half to do both
Only found the leaky axle/brake drum the day before IVA
Would clearly have failed if i had'nt spotted it..
Worse still - the oil had gotten onto the rear tyre - accident waiting to happen!!
Similar for me - my oil leak wasn't just an occasional drip - there was a filthy crust round the inside of the wheel, and streaks up the tyre.
There were no clues when I was driving, as the bearing itself was OK and no oil had got onto the shoes or the brake drum. No drips on the floor
either.
Not happy when I saw it.
Nearly completed the job - half-shaft is out, bearing retainer removed, and the back plate has been cleaned and repainted. Just got to remove the
bearing (I've done that before, and I know what to do), then get the new one pressed on at my friendly local garage. Once that's done
it's just 20 minutes work to get it all back together.
[Edited on 12/10/12 by David Jenkins]
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britishtrident
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| posted on 12/10/12 at 08:56 PM |
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It is for road so just follow the Ford procedure and fill to just below the level of the drain plug with the car level anything else will
result in oil weeping from the seals. In my younger years I spent a lot time looking after a large fleet of Ford vans and axle oil leaks were a
constant chore
It is different for track use where the car turns right five times for every time it turns left.
[Edited on 12/10/12 by britishtrident]
[I] “ What use our work, Bennet, if we cannot care for those we love? .”
― From BBC TV/Amazon's Ripper Street.
[/I]
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 12/10/12 at 08:58 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
It is for road so just follow the Ford procedure and fill to just below the level of the drain plug with the car level
That's my plan!
I understand why you'd want to squeeze a bit more in for track use, but that's a whole different world...
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johnemms
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| posted on 13/10/12 at 09:36 AM |
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The bearings should have a groove in them and come with a rubber seal..
I had pinched one of mine on assembly - (years ago)..
I've now used clear instant gasket - hope it works - time will tell
[img] [/img]
Own chassis & Build - First time pass!!
"7's" aren't really "cars", they are 'experiences"
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 13/10/12 at 10:00 AM |
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Originally they didn't have an o-ring - they were just a good fit, and an o-ring wasn't thought necessary for many decades.
It has been suggested that the new type are far-eastern imports and not so good as the original ones from the usual major suppliers, as fitted by
Ford.
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britishtrident
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| posted on 13/10/12 at 10:28 AM |
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We always used a smear of Red Hermmetite in the recess the bearing sits in.
[I] “ What use our work, Bennet, if we cannot care for those we love? .”
― From BBC TV/Amazon's Ripper Street.
[/I]
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