Rear backing plate - no grease fitting?

[tavvy]

Today I did my first 500 mile maintenance on my 1931 cc pickup, and noticed that I seemed to be missing the grease fitting on both rear backing plates directly below the axle tubes. I haven't found a good source yet for which grease fittings my Ford should have, and which ones it shouldn't.

In the Les Andrews book, in the lubrication diagram at location C, label 9 points to what looks like an adjustment access plug, however I saw a youtube video in which there _is_ a zerk centered exactly below the axle tube, and the guy lubes it. Was there a change during production that deleted the zerk there, and if so, why?

Thanks

[DaWizard]

tavvy WELCOME to the VFF!!

I will let the others answer up on the axle tube fitting.

[Mitch]

Welcome tavvy. Those fittings were not Henry's best idea. They are supposed to grease the rear wheel hub bearings. The problem is you'll have no idea of what actually gets through if any, or too much. The best way is to treat them like we would do on the front. Pull the hub, inspect and repack the bearings by hand. You'll need a new grease seal and I recommend the tool for installing that. To pull the rear hub a puller is needed. This would be a great time to check the brakes and other items once it is apart. Are your fitting holes not there?

[jmart76]

I recommend the tool for installing that

https://www.brattons.com/rear-hub-seal-driver.html

[jmart76]

tavvy - you may also consider purchasing these:


https://www.brattons.com/axle-hub-gaskets-2-pcs.html

[Sunnybrook Farm]

I saw somewhere that by 31, Ford had realized it was a bad idea and didn't put the fittings on the last vehicles. The idea is that you pull the drums and grease by hand just like the front ones.

[jmart76]

I saw somewhere that by 31, Ford had realized it was a bad idea and didn't put the fittings on the last vehicles. The idea is that you pull the drums and grease by hand just like the front ones.

Anyone have any diagrams (specifically for 31's)?

[Mitch]

I never knew the 31 did not have a zerk. I'm pretty sure they all had them. Maybe the hole was filled with crud?

[jmart76]

I think it's discussed at 3:49 on this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuDGQ2jByac

[tavvy]

Thanks, everyone - that makes sense. Very grateful for the information. The backing plates do each have a 3/8” threaded hole in that spot. Perhaps Ford was using up the old stock backing plates after the zerks were discontinued ?

[Mitch]

Thanks, everyone - that makes sense. Very grateful for the information. The backing plates do each have a 3/8” threaded hole in that spot. Perhaps Ford was using up the old stock backing plates after the zerks were discontinued ?

The zerk is not screwed in the backing plate. It is screwed into the axle tube itself.

[Bob C]

I think it's discussed at 3:49 on this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuDGQ2jByac

I don't think this is correct. I looked in the Service Bulletins and Service Letters and could find no mention of the grease fittings
being eliminated. The parts books show two grease fittings 1928-37.

[Mitch]

Thanks Bob, my exact thoughts as well. I have found many of Jack's videos to be suspect. Another one that is misleading is the radiator fill and drain method to check for good flow

[Sunnybrook Farm]

I think this is where it was mentioned, what was really said was "after model A production" they stopped making them with grease fittings. Not sure if this means Model A housings or 32 and after housings. So it wasn't late 31 as I thought.
http://www.santaanitaas.org/wp-conte...e-Fittings.pdf