Re: Cracked Rear Differential 1940 110 Sedan

Posted by TxGoat On 2023/7/23 16:15:07

I had that happen on an older Ford F-100.

No reason evident, and only a very slow leak.

I used it that way a long time, then replaced the entire axle unit with a limited slip axle.

What I'd try with your car would be to clean the area of oil, paint, etc, and try to get a good look at the extent of the crack.

If it's just a hairline crack, you might be able to stop the leak by lightly peening along the crack with a body shop type pick hammer or a center punch and a light hammer, the idea being to displace metal along both sides of the crack toward it. This process used to be known as "caulking".

If that doesn't work, using some type of epoxy material might work if you can get the surfaces clean enough and scuff up the metal surface to improve adhesion.

Welding would be a last resort. Lots of people weld on steel axle housings. I'd want an expert welder to do any welding, and I'd want to remove the gearset from the housing in order to prevent an explosion or getting debris in the housing.