Grrrr, the rear differential (axel) hub seals,
Without getting too technical… in general, we struggle to find parts for this car, especially in South Africa. Similarly, the original hub seals were also tough to get our hands on, so we made a plan. Purchasing ones that are close to size and machining them to fit. Unfortunately, the people in the factory at Ford did not do us any favours, 50 years ago during the manufacturing of the differential. Lets just say that the machining of the differential was perhaps done late on a Friday afternoon and the quality control person had left for the weekend already.
It was a real struggle and took us multiple fitment attempts to get the two seals in place. We are not completely happy with the job, but it is all we can do for now, (<-something that is difficult for my dad to accept) He likes to do a job well and correctly, to “go the distance” and I can feel and see the bother inside him. Thinking that he might be passing on a problem to me that could have been fixed is not the way he operates.
Like I said, both the seals are fitted and that just has to be okay. We only have a limited amount of time to prepare the car and other tasks are waiting. I searched on the web tonight and it looks like I should be able to get the correct seals for the car in Australia, if not New Zealand. After all, the car was manufactured in Australia, so things should be easier over there. I will just have to do the job, or pay a professional to do it for me in NZ, once the car has been imported, passed compliance, WOFed and is registered on the road. (and I have the correct seals in hand) Ugh.
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43.5323 – 172.5567
27 August 2024
FP-229
2 responses to “My first “real” day helping with the car.”
You are truly a chip off the old block! “He likes to do a job well and correctly” sounds very much like somebody I know.
Thanks Cliff, somebody I know too. 😉