Rear Axel for Dummies

[52Hudson]

I have a leak at the differtial cover of my 52 Hornet with a 308. I have several questions. I would like to simply replace the gasket. Is that possible? I see a filler plug, is there a drain plug? When I take off the housing cover what else will fall out beside the gasket? Any other advice is much appreciated.

[Dave53-7C]

The answers are:

Yes
No
Hopefully, nothing other than old fluid.

[52Hudson]

I like yes and no answers. It the hopefully part that I'm worried about.

[Geoff C., N.Z.]

Removing the bottom bolt of the cover drains the housing. If anything else falls out you are in deep doo-doos!

[Dave53-7C]

I like yes and no answers. It the hopefully part that I'm worried about.

Me too. Unless you're having a big problem with your rear end (or that of your car), the guts won't fall out when you drain it.

[dynolou2]

Go to your auto parts store for a gasket to fit a Dana/spicer 44 rear cover, Jeeps or some Fords up until 1956 used that rearend. If fluid hasn't been changed in a long time, you may have to scoop it out, I have used an old Hudson dipstick and a rag to reach the front on my Studebaker. Lou Cote