Inner Seal??

1950 - 1952, M38, questions, discussions, regarding anything related to the M38.
Post Reply
JMZ421
G-First Lieutenant
G-First Lieutenant
Posts: 646
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2012 1:21 pm
Location: N.E. Ohio

Inner Seal??

Post by JMZ421 » Mon Sep 27, 2021 3:46 pm

Need some help. I have a M38 and I thought the wheel cylinder was leaking on drivers side rear. There is a drip of oil and a bunch of crud on the backing plate right below the axle tube area. When I pulled off the dust cover, oil dripped out. It is not brake fluid. I assume it's the inner seal, correct? I have the manual and have watched videos of removing carrier bolts and so forth, keeping everything where they were on install.

Can I make the assumption it's that inner seal? The brake pad to the rear bottom does have oil on it. Your help is appreciated. John


JMZ421
G-First Lieutenant
G-First Lieutenant
Posts: 646
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2012 1:21 pm
Location: N.E. Ohio

Re: Inner Seal??

Post by JMZ421 » Mon Sep 27, 2021 5:18 pm

Disregard the comment on the carrier bolts as I was looking at another axle tube. I believe all I have to do is pull the axles per the manual and replace the inner seal. Does not look that difficult. Thanks. John

User avatar
dpcd67
G-General
G-General
Posts: 11817
Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:41 pm
Location: Iowa

Re: Inner Seal??

Post by dpcd67 » Tue Sep 28, 2021 7:02 am

Right, all you need to do is remove the hub and bearing retainer, and pull the axle out; you will see the grease seal about two inches in the axle housing. They are easy to remove and replace. You will need a hub puller for the semi floating axle hub though. No substitute for it. Section XXI of TM9-8012 shows how. Good time to clean, inspect, and re-lube your rear axle bearings; those always get neglected. Do both sides while you are at it. Don't mix the spacers up; those determine the bearing pre load.
U. S. Army 28 years.
Armor Branch

JMZ421
G-First Lieutenant
G-First Lieutenant
Posts: 646
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2012 1:21 pm
Location: N.E. Ohio

Re: Inner Seal??

Post by JMZ421 » Tue Sep 28, 2021 7:31 am

Perfect, Thank you for the help. I do have the puller and I will make sure to keep those shims together. Very much appreciated, John

JMZ421
G-First Lieutenant
G-First Lieutenant
Posts: 646
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2012 1:21 pm
Location: N.E. Ohio

Re: Inner Seal??

Post by JMZ421 » Thu Sep 30, 2021 1:30 pm

Ok, came home today still in dress clothes and the drivers side rear axle is out!! The manual states to grease the bearing but does not say anything how to remove it from the axle. I do not want to damage the bearing. Will it come off just by pressing down with a cloth wrapped around it. What about pressing it on after grease. Sorry for the stupid questions. John

User avatar
dpcd67
G-General
G-General
Posts: 11817
Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:41 pm
Location: Iowa

Re: Inner Seal??

Post by dpcd67 » Thu Sep 30, 2021 7:05 pm

They have to be pressed off in a hydraulic press. You don't want to be loose enough to remove by hand. Bring it over. But you don't have to remove it to clean it and grease it, but it does make it easier. Of course, I use gasoline to clean bearings. Universal solvent.
U. S. Army 28 years.
Armor Branch

JMZ421
G-First Lieutenant
G-First Lieutenant
Posts: 646
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2012 1:21 pm
Location: N.E. Ohio

Re: Inner Seal??

Post by JMZ421 » Fri Oct 01, 2021 1:40 am

Ok, that's what I will do, Thank you again, John


Post Reply

Return to “M38 Technical Knowledge Base”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Radtech and 3 guests