Leaking axle tubes

[PxTx]

I plan on prepping a rear for a friend who's axle housing has a leaking tube. The rear is to remain stock looking so I do not have the option to weld the tubes on the outside. How have others remidied this problem?

Paul Tholey

[William]

Before you worry about how it is going to look you better figure out why it is leaking. 12 bolt housings are not all that strong and if it was extensively raced the tubes could be bent and or cracked. MCR snapped the RH tube off the center section during a COPO Chevelle test a few years back.

I've also seen them rust through.

[PxTx]

Thanks for the concern. The housing is not actually leaking, "sweating" may be a more accurate term. The fact is, I do not want the rear to "sweat" after being painted. The housing is in good shape other than the little bid of gear oil that has accumulated around where the tubes meet the housing.

As for the MCR test, exactally what was the cause of the housing failure? Too much torque for those weak 12 bolt housings to handle

[RichSchmidt]

You could try brazing of soldering them.If you heat the center section the material will pull into the seam and while without flux it will never be a good structural hold,it should fix the leak.After it is done,another bit of cheap insurance would be to clean the housing real well and run a bead of monkey snot glue around the inside of the tube where it ends in the housing.I use monkey snot{AKA 3M yellow adhesive in a tube},and use it to seal every pipe thread as well as to stick gaskets in place.This stuff is more then up to the task.Good luck.
BTW,I run 1100 hp on slicks thru my stock 12 bolt housing with welded tubes and put a 3600# car into the 8's with it.I break ring gears from time to time,but the housing is plenty tough.

[JoeG]

Blow compressed air into the seam where the tube fits into the housing--you can also force some flux thru the same area with the compressed air ----Permatex also has some excellent sealants--

[Mr70]

[ QUOTE ]
As for the MCR test, exactally what was the cause of the housing failure? Too much torque for those weak 12 bolt housings to handle

[/ QUOTE ]

Ask COPO PETE,it was him & his Chevelle.
Those Crazy Canucks!