I've not been feeling well this past year. The Imperial got a whopping 145 miles put on it since last September, and the Coronet had maybe a hundred miles put on it over the same time. I figure I'd throw some miles on it back in May, where we participated in the Armed Forces Day parade, hauling the Grand Marshal. Later that day, I saw a nice puddle under the rear diff. Filled it back up with lube. Two days later, it all puked out. I'm at the point where just kneeling or laying on the floor is not a fun time.
I called a hot rod friend to get the car scheduled for a rear end gasket and pinion seal job. Did I mention that the carrier bushing was basically gone? Unknown until we got it in the air. Fun.
The bushing on the car was a homemade job done who-knows-when. Funny thing was the wasn't any noticeable vibration from this! So, I sourced the proper convertible-only bushing/bearing, plus three new u-joints and got it all put together. The drive line shop assembled and balanced it up. With the rear axle happy with all-new seals, I picked it up this morning after 13 days in the shop. It drives sooo smooth and quiet now. I need to have the alignment checked next. Very few shops in town will touch '50s through '80s cars for anything these days, but there is an alignment shop about 30 miles West that loves the old stuff!
It's still beautiful weather here, in the 70s all week! Time for a top-down drive next week!
Before and after on that driveshaft:
