Rear end fluid leak

[gdcont]

Hey everyone my '48 Continental is leaking rear-end fluid into the torque tube it comes out the grease fitting. I know it's from the rear-end cause I have to fill it occasionally. Is there a pinion seal and how much trouble is it to replace once you remove the rear-end and torque tube from the vehicle? I've replaced many pinion seals on modern cars but can't find any info on replacing it on the Continental. Thanks George.

[Rolf]

George, the parts book says that the seal is a part of the torque tube, and not a separate part, sure is strange, but I guess all you could do is remove the torque tube and see if you can improvise a repair

[peecher]

The grease fitting shouldn't leak even if rear end oil gets past the grease retainer behind the center drive shaft bearing. I would try replacing this fitting first before removing the rear end and torque tube. If the car is sitting "low" (weak rear spring) or parked on a down slant oil could get by this center bearing grease retainer and "lay" in the tube eventually leaking out this fitting. You may even try replacing this center fitting with a 1/16" pipe plug between normal grease job intervals.

[DSpringer]

Interesting. I'm getting the same thing. The car hasn't moved for 7 years and a pool of thick grease/oil keeps accumulating under that zerk fitting.

By the way, Rolf, thanks for putting my speedometer on the back cover of Way of the Zephyr. I checked the mileage and it matched.

[gdcont]

I'll try replacing that grease fitting and see what happens. I fill the rear-end to the bottom of the fill hole on level ground. The car sits in the garage which is also level. I see the grease retainer part #4658 and retainer part #4245 listed in the Lincoln chassis parts catalog which to you think is one leaking fluid passed it. I also have some fluid leaking at the connection between the rear-end and the torque tube. Thanks George.

[Guest imported_V12Bill]

I have had this problem in the past.There is a seal at the pinion and the seal rides on a collar. Since the original seals were leather, the leather absorbed moisture and the moisture caused corrosion on the collar. The new seal (if you put one in) is riding in a rut on the collar caused by rust and wear and no longer seals. The zerk fitting on the torque tube is a pressed in fitting and is difficult to remove and probably impossible to find. It will leak fluids like 90 weight oil but not grease.

[peecher]

Alemite does make a "dust cap" for grease fittings. It snaps over the head and might slow down the leak. Maybe worth a try? Alemite does make press in fittings but I don't think they have ball checks so replacing that torque tube fitting is probably not an option as V12 Bill indicates.