4600 - two questions

[Ultradog MN]

First, where you you check the oil level in the rear end?
Second, got a brake seal leaking.
Do we have to pull the trumpets to renew or can they be done from the outside?
Ken says thanks.
 

[Fordfarmer]

Rear end oil is checked at a level plug by your right heel... not -quite- where the picture in the book shows it. (I think they used a picture of a 4000, but the location was slightly changed on the 4600) If no one else chimes in with a better description of where it is, I'll try to remember to bring in my manual after chores.
Brake seal... the boot where the actuator rod goes in, or the seal at the end of the axle? Never done either myself, but I've read here that replacing the boot is pretty straight forward, and does not require removing the trumpet.
 

[mhb@ufe]

If it is the seal where the brake rod goes into the housing you don't need to pull the trumpet. Just unhook the linkage, remove the adjusting nut and pop the seal out and install the new one.

Mark
 

[RodinNS]

Level plug should be in the housing, on the right side, about the level of the footboard or slightly above... to the rear.

The brake boot... strip the linkage off the rod, then use a sharp cold chisel to free the metal backer of the boot from the axle housing. When installing the new one I usually remove the spring, slide it all the way up the rod until it seats, then use a piece of pipe or some such drift over the rod to get the backer seated into the housing. Then you reinstall the spring.
You can either drain some oil off before you start this job or run that side up on a couple of blocks to chase the oil to the other side...

Rod
 

[souNdguy]

yep.. the check on the 4600 is higher than the 4000. took me forever to find mine as it was an inverted head plug screwed in flush and had 40ys of dirt caled on the side..
 

[Ultradog MN]

Thanks guys.
I ordered the seals for the brakes yesterday but still haven't found the check plug. Will look some more.