keyway question

[dirtyfingernails]

How crucial is the cork seal for the keyway on the rear axles? I didn't notice anything mentioned in the manuals. Do they go in before the washer? What kind of substitute can be used? Thanks.
Steve

 

[doghead]

Some guys fill the key-way with silicone(rtv) instead of using the cork piece, with good results. Be sure to clean it well.

 

[jasonjc]

It is a must to have some thing in there. Cork or RTV and before the whasher I think.

 

[BFR]

I used RTV (before the washer) with good results.

 

[m-35tom]

if you use rtv, it helps to have it very clean and dry. cork does not care.

 

[dirtyfingernails]

Thanks much! I was also wondering how lubrication happens in the rear axle. I'm assuming that gear oil makes its way to the hub flange. What's it lubricating there? Grease is for the bearings right? Inquiring minds want to know. My hub was empty, is that correct, or should there be grease in there?
Steve

 

[houdel]

The keyway seal, cork or other, is a MUST HAVE. Gear oil is only for the differential, due to vehicle motion some makes it up into the axle shaft tubes where it is hopefully stopped by the inner axle seal and the keyway seal. If any gear oil makes it into the hub, it can quickly ruin the wheel bearings and brakes. Your wheel bearings should be packed with grease, if they are dry don't drive that truck until you get them packed. The hub does not need to be packed with grease, but the bearings need to be well packed.

 

[FormerNewMVGuy]

I bought a sheet of rubberized cork from mcmaster-carr for around $7.00 dollars, now i can make my own for a long time,LOL
The sheet is 1foot by three feet, Thats a lot of inserts!

 

[dirtyfingernails]

Lee,
The bearings are greased, but when I pull an axle, GO flows out (about 50 milliliters or so). Is this normal? If the gear oil isn't supposed to be there, why isn't there an inner axle seal?
Steve

 

[acetomatoco]

there is... And you can use cut up Wild Turkey Bourbon corks for the keyway seals... for free..

 

[Boatcarpenter]

And just where do you get this free Wild Turkey ACE?, I want some

 

[jwaller]

there is no inner axle seal bc you have the cork and washer. no need for a seal like the front has. although it would be better. all you'd need to do is lathe down a smooth surface for the seal and make up a seal holder. too much work for something that wouldn't result in any improvement in form or function. the std setup works.

 

[houdel]

jwaller - Either I don't understand what you are saying, or you'd better go check your -34P TM. Mine shows a "seal, plain encased" inboard of the inner wheel bearing. Strangely enough, it does NOT show an inner seal on the front hub! Unless its show someplace other than the hub breakdown, the only other part I could find was a "deflector" in the front axle shaft section.

 

[pick]

Should you also cork the front axle keyway?
Thanks
Pick

 

[73m819]

Should you also cork the front axle keyway?
Thanks
Pick

NO