Axle lubrication question

[68conv4sp]

What lubricates the inner and outer bearings on the rear axle? (My '68 has a rebuilt 8" LS 3.00 w/new axle bearings. I have changed the oil a couple of times w/synthetic 80-90 w/ LS additive fluid. There was a surprising amount of fine metal flake in the oil after the first 1000 miles. I am concerned that the contaminated 1000 mile break in oil could have fouled the new bearings - no noise yet.) Thanks for educating me.

 

[1320stang]

The outer bearings are sealed. Likely what you're finding are shavings from the gears. Usually, people put a magnet inside the bottom of the housing to catch these pieces of metal, you could epoxy one on the outside as well. I don't know why you're changing the gear lube that much, but you might want to pull the pumpkin and take a look at the pattern on the gears.

 

[68conv4sp]

What about the inner bearing? I changed the oil twice after the first change out had the fine flakes in it - probably overkill. I'm an overprotective Mustang owner. My kids might say it gets more attention than they do.

 

[1966conv]

By inner bearings, do you mean the bearings on the differential itself? There are no other inner bearings, and as the other poster mentioned the outers are sealed.

 

[68conv4sp]

OK. So the only bearings receiving lubrication from the diff are the inner ones, mounted in the diff itself. I need to take one apart for educational purposes. Thanks.

 

[1320stang]

Yes, the inner bearings are in the center section itself. There are two for the carrier and two for the pinion. The carrier ones are tapered, the one that holds the main shaft of the pinion is tapered and the one that holds the end is a open caged bearing.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/idx/0/065/article/Ford_9_Inch_RebuildGear_Setup.html

 

[dennis112]

Yes, the inner bearings are in the center section itself. There are two for the carrier and two for the pinion. The carrier ones are tapered, the one that holds the main shaft of the pinion is tapered and the one that holds the end is a open caged bearing.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/idx/0/065/article/Ford_9_Inch_RebuildGear_Setup.html

Pinion has 3 bearings. Two are tapered (oppose each other in the pinion retainer, with the crush sleeve or spacer washers in between) and the 3rd one is the open caged support bearing.

 

[1320stang]

Just goes to show you should go with your first instinct. It's been 10 years since I had one apart and I originally typed 3, but then I doubted myself.

Anyways, the chances it's one of the tapered bearings is slim. I'm betting gears.