1953 Buick Special 45R where is my vent (rear end)

[johnnyrock70]

Where the heck is my vent located on my '53 Special rear? I took off the drain plug and it hissed like opening a bottle of soda. My vent is obviously clogged. Thanks 

Edited April 5, 2019 by johnnyrock70
Mis spelling (see edit history)

[Aaron65]

There isn't one!  I found this out the hard way when I had the rear end refreshed; the pumpkin gasket kept leaking as a result of the pressure.  I solved the problem by replacing one of the back cover bolts (up high) with a large brake bleeder screw, which I connected to a long hose and a fuel filter (to keep dirt out) and tied up somewhere under the car.  It didn't help that the pumpkin gasket folded funny when the shop reinstalled it.  Needless to say, I used RTV and sealed it up, and it hasn't leaked since.  

 

The only conclusion anyone I've ever talked to (including myself) could come up with was that the old axle seals were not lip seals, they were felt, and they must have allowed some pressure in/out.  

Edited April 5, 2019 by Aaron65 (see edit history)

[johnnyrock70]

What!? Oh man

[Spinneyhill]

That is my reading also. The felt axle seals, i.e. the inner wheel bearing seal, allows some air movement with a little pressure. Not much is required. Most of us have something like that in our car(s). My 1930 Dodge Brothers is exactly like that.

 

So, what were the inner axle oil seals originally?

[Aaron65]

I think they were felt.