1986 PT40 Axle Leak

[mbulriss]

Glenn,

Congrats on the new-to-you PT!

I had that same problem on my 83 PT40 on the same spot, driver's side
drive axle. Actually, it was more of just a minor annoyance than a
real problem. When the grease got hot, it would invariably seep very
small amounts past the gasket and sling little streaks of grease along
the aluminum wheels due to the centrifigal rotating force. Took it in
three times before it was finally stopped for good. Bearing grease
was always good whenever it was checked, so loss of grease was never a
real issue. The last time was a paper gasket and liberally coated
with sealant, the blue silicone stuff as I recall. That stopped it
again.

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ragster_ga"
wrote:
>
> I got home yesterday with the 'new-to-me' 1986 PT40. I picked it up
> in Texas and brought it to its new nest in Marietta, Ga. The only
> problem I encountered was a leaking driver's side rear (drive) axle.
> I stopped at a Freightliner service center and they replaced the
> gasket on the axle 8-bolt cover (in Jackson, Mississippi). I called
> the original owner and he said that he replaced it a few weeks back
> because it was leaking. His approach was a cork gasket and silicon
> which for some reason did not hold. When Freightliner replaced the
> gasket, they used a paper gasket (they also had a metal gasket that
> would fit but said they always use the paper gaskets).
>
> Now that I made it home, I checked the axle again and I have signs of
> another leak in the same axle.
>
> Anyone have any experience on keeping the axle from leaking. I don't
> understand why the gasket did not hold the second time. They cleaned
> and polished the metal surfaces before reassembly. Freightliner said
> that no sealant was needed.
>
> Glenn and Lisa
> Marietta, Georgia
> 1986 PT40
>