Should I paint this ?

[John and Tracy Smith]

After noticing that we have a leak coming from the rear axle, we decided it was time to at least clean up the area and find the source. After a lot of effort, we managed to get it this clean. To our surprise, it was bare metal. It shows a little rust but not as much as we would have expected considering the condition of the rest of the truck. Our question is whether this now should be protected by painting or another practice? Or is it aluminum and should we just let it be?

By the way, the leak hasn't shown back up yet. Could it have been just grease and grime melting off? It's been over 110 degrees here for awhile.


John and Tracy Smith

http://1955studebaker.blogspot.com/

[studegary]

Yes, semi-gloss black.

Gary L.
Wappinger, NY

SDC member since 1968
Studebaker enthusiast much longer

[mbstude]

I've seen chromed covers on eBay.

Matthew Burnette
Hazlehurst, GA

[StudeRich]

So are you saying you did that beautiful clean-up with the cover on?

Usually it is done in conjunction with a drain and refill and new gasket job, but this will work fine if you just spray some primer on and then after drying cover with simi-gloss black engine enamel as original or if you prefer gloss black or even household common spray paint will do. And it is steel and will rust as you see.

The real issue of the leak however is way more important, are you sure it is not empty? That always works to stop a leak!

It is usually the front pinion seal at the driveshaft flange that does the most leaking.

Although, I have seen oil covered differentials that were caused by a bad timing cover seal leak or rear main seal leak on the engine or Trans. seal leak also.

StudeRich
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WA

[John and Tracy Smith]

Um...should I admit that I was afraid to take it off because I wasn't sure I could get it back on? [)] We are waiting for the leak to reappear at this point to know which direction to take next... Maybe to a mechanic?

John and Tracy Smith

http://1955studebaker.blogspot.com/

[54-61-62]

yeah the differential leaked out all its oil. thats why the leak stopped.

[StudeRich]

Well for goodness sake, grab a 5/8" open end or a Crescent wrench and take out the fill plug (halfway up the cover) with the truck level, and dip your gloved pinky in there and see if it is up to the bottom of the check plug hole or not!

Sometimes they have to be driven, to move the oil around before they will leak, but you can't drive it if you do not know if there is any 85W-90 weight GL5 gear oil in there! [:0]

Warning, this stuff will STINK for a week if you get it on you, one time will not kill you, but the smell might! Lol!
Not recommended for Tracy's soft hands!


StudeRich -Studebakers Northwest Ferndale, WA

[BobGlasscock]

Well, for goodness sake, StudeRich, you're just too darn funny! You beat me by 8 minutes. But your wording was funnier than mine would have been.

'50 Champion, 1 family owner

[BobGlasscock]

Oops, forgot to ask the Smiths, paint the cover or the floor? Cover looks nice, floor - well.....

'50 Champion, 1 family owner

[John and Tracy Smith]

Mr. Smith will return to this post in due time...he has been sent to the garage to clean up his mess (he was mumbling something about a 5/8" open end wrench on the way out...)

Respectfully,
Mrs. Smith



John and Tracy Smith

http://1955studebaker.blogspot.com/

[BobGlasscock]

u no, eye like u 2.

'50 Champion, 1 family owner

[N8N]

it's steel as others have said. just wave a spray can of semi-gloss black at it until you find the leak, then you can clean it up better on the bench.

nate

(my personal recommendation would be to swap it out for a finned aluminum cover attached with polished stainless bolts, but I'm a sucker for shiny stuff.)

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

[jlmccuan]

OOO Shiney!! And it fits.


Jim

_________1966 Avanti II RQA 0088______________Rabid Snail Racing

[StudeRich]

Good grief, that thing belongs on a TANK, not a Studebaker! [:0]

What do you do with those little hollow inside hex stud and nut thingys! [:0] Must be to mount your Turbonique Jet Turbine Engine!

StudeRich
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WA

[BobGlasscock]

And silly me was going to kid him about it not having a car to be mounted on, just a table. Or a wood-grained tank.

'50 Champion, 1 family owner