Thread: Axle sealant for wading?

Originally Posted by jimmy86

Hi everyone,

Sorry if this is a rookie question but I'm about to reassemble both axles on my 2A and wondered what others do to prevent the ingression of moisture

when I pulled them apart, as well as paper seals on the stub axle and diff joints, there was a whole lot of silicone. I do plan to do some wading eventually and wondered wether silicone's the go?

Cheers guys

Jimmy

The most important thing is to replace the poppet/ball valves on top of the axle tubes with extended breathers that go up to the top of the firewall or higher.

Paper gaskets should seal OK, but silastic/RTV is much better and easier to use. I replaced all paper gaskets with silicone many years ago (except where the gasket is needed for spacing).

Modern vehicles use a lot more silicone and a lot fewer gaskets...

Also remember to let the axle casing cool before serious wading (where possible)

the gaskets will do a good enough job, but consider extending the breather pipes and possibly pressurising the axle case slightly

Thanks guys, that's really helpful. Think I will go down the silicone route...

Originally Posted by Sprint

the gaskets will do a good enough job, but consider extending the breather pipes and possibly pressurising the axle case slightly

Sprint, How would you go about pressurising the axle case? pneumatic valve and an air compressor?

Thanks again.

Originally Posted by jimmy86

Thanks guys, that's really helpful. Think I will go down the silicone route...



Sprint, How would you go about pressurising the axle case? pneumatic valve and an air compressor?

Thanks again.

I would be cautious about doing that - it is often hard to keep the oil in at the best of times. However the theory is that you supply a few psi of pressure (enough to overcome the pressure of water at design wading depth) to the diffs from an air compressor.

Some unimogs have pressurised axles etc...

Originally Posted by isuzurover

I would be cautious about doing that - it is often hard to keep the oil in at the best of times. However the theory is that you supply a few psi of pressure (enough to overcome the pressure of water at design wading depth) to the diffs from an air compressor.

Some unimogs have pressurised axles etc...

You don't need much pressure - roughly one psi is equivalent to two feet of water - so 1.5psi should be enough and 2psi plenty.

John

Thanks again guys, all the above is really helpful.

Cheers, Jimmy