MTFCA Forum

I am cleaning out the old grease from the axle housings after removing and separating them.
After removing the end caps and all of the felts,roller bearings and steel washers, I used gasoline (not near the house) to clean the steel washers and roller bearings.
The original Babbitt thrust washers were in remarkably good condition (for the moment) and are now hanging on the wall never to be used again.
Any preferred methods for removing the old grease and oil from inside the housings?
I am a weekend mechanic with limited tools and supplies but am willing to get a power washer or a good parts brush if needed.

Thanks for any tips or tricks!
Otherwise, I'll just keep using old fashioned elbow grease!

Gene,

I’ve used Simple Green and a toilet brush fastened to a broom stick to scrub the insides of the tubes.

Ed

Funny Ed,

I was having a flashback of stealing my mom's new broom in the late '60's, cutting off the sweeping end, and using some of my dad's black electrical tape to make a stickball bat. We'd spray paint a rectangle with both diagonals for a strike zone on the wall of the local high school (JFK Paterson, NJ) and play all day until the street lights came on.
Thank God we have a central vac system now so the only broom is the one I have in the garage.
I'll give your suggestion a try.

Thanks!
Gene

Like Ed, a brush on a long handle works, just used my tool yesterday, does both the torque tube and axle housings.

Dip it in cleaner of choice, kerosene or gas, many swabs, then finish with single rag over blunt end of long handle with lacquer thinner.
Wear your worst outfit as splash and spray will happen!
Cut down the end of one of the wife's used 'spider web' round brushes with scissors, fits into the tubes with ease.


The rest of the 'dirty tools', pans to hold liquids, scrapers, brushes, and all.

Gene, Those rear ends are one of the most nasty cleaning jobs out there, next to a cloths washer. When the wife washing machine pooped out, the transmission was junk, did not take long to go find a new one, washing machine that is. Anyway if you have not taken out the 4 bearing sleeves they will need to come out and you will need a special sleeve remover tool. George

Use a broom stick to ram gas soak rags through. When the rags come out white, then you know the housing is clean.

I do not think I have ever seen a rag come out white.

Kerosene is not flammable like gas and probably easier on your skin n lungs.

I push a big ball of steel wool through with a broomstick handle. I follow it with a rag soaked in degreaser and repeat the process a few times. It comes out very clean.

I got the idea from a foodstall in the Far East.

Gene, because you spelled "axle" correctly I have faith in your abilities to get the work done properly

Tim,
I'm a high school principal.
My students are always checking my spelling.
lol