Replaced tranny seal, buttoned it back up, and...

[Dr. Tweak]

It's leaking again. :headbang:

This is the passenger side tranny seal, where the halfshaft goes in. I pulled out the old seal, tapped in a new one, but when I filled up the tranny, I could see that there is a tiny leak out of the seal.

I guess I just didn't get it in there deep enough? I tried using a peice of 2" PVC pipe, but that didn't go so well, so I ended up just tapping it in with a hammer, tapping all around the edge. Perhaps I ruined the seal doing this.

At any rate, I thought ahead and bought two seals, the other one is sitting in my freezer right now. I also bough (today) and endcap for the pvc pipe, which I hope will give a better surface to strike.

So that's my project for the morning, and advice?

 

[DHMag]

use the 2" PVC pipe (12" long) with a wooden block on the end. it sounds like you oblonged the seal by using a hammer. the pipe cap is alright but may flex when rapped upon, or maybe even break. a benefit of using the pipe is to insure the seal is straight with the trans casing. of course, thats given the pipe is cut square on the end.

 

[Dr. Tweak]

use the 2" PVC pipe (12" long) with a wooden block on the end. it sounds like you oblonged the seal by using a hammer. the pipe cap is alright but may flex when rapped upon, or maybe even break. a benefit of using the pipe is to insure the seal is straight with the trans casing. of course, thats given the pipe is cut square on the end.

I think that was the initial problem I had, the peice that I has was shorter and not square. After looking through my junk I found a nice peice about 12" long that was cut from an end, so one end is perfectly square. That's what I'll use tomorrow, with the cap on the end.

Would I benefit from heating up the tranny case a little?

 

[n8rsk8r]

did you replace the seal that is on the halfshalf itself? I know this is more for the dust/dirt, but wouldn't that help?

nathan

 

[Dr. Tweak]

did you replace the seal that is on the halfshalf itself? I know this is more for the dust/dirt, but wouldn't that help?

nathan

No and no, that's just a dust shield and sits further back on the halfshaft.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

do not heat the tranny.

Just clean up the opening, make sure the lip is free of scratches or burrs, and install the seal using the PVC pipe technique.

BTW, I also applied a bit or rtv (VERY little) to the metal portion of the seal to help fill any imperfections in the tranny case.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Did you apply Hylomar to the seal before installing?

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

I dont know what hylomar is...

But I installed my seals just like you do the oil filter seal.
With a liberal coating of oil.

In the case of the trans... trans oil

 

[Dr. Tweak]

I dont know what hylomar is...

Neither do I...

 

[DHMag]

Permatex makes some. its available at your local Auto-Zone. i never used it but i believe its a bonding/sealing agent.

 

[Bizzy]

Use a think bead of anaerobic sealant (Permatex) around the top edge of the seal near the lip. That should do it. Also make sure you don't damage the inner part of the seal when you reinstall the end of the halfshaft. Very important.

 

[Bizzy]

every tranny i have done gets a layer of RTV on before it is pressed in. Also I use a subframe recall washer to push the seal into the case. Usually I use that to get it most of the way down, then take a punch (larger flat one) and tap the whole thing around. Also before I put the shaft back in I put a little grease on the shaft to make sure that it slides in nice and easy without snagging on the seal and ripping it at all. Cause I have seen cars that have had ther tranny's out and what not that end up with a little nick in the seal and a good leak. My tranny is one of them, but I have just now finally gotten to the point of needing to pull the tranny. YAY my clutch is burning up all the time and stinking.

 

[DHMag]

Use a think bead of anaerobic sealant (Permatex) around the top edge of the seal near the lip. That should do it. Also make sure you don't damage the inner part of the seal when you reinstall the end of the halfshaft. Very important.

speaking from experience ?

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Permatex Hylomar page

IMHO, RTV has no business in or on a tranny. You wouldn't believe the mess even the slightest amount of RTV will make inside a tranny. Use the hylomar or another anaerobic sealant as Bizzy mentioned.

 

[Dr. Tweak]

Great stuff guys!

I do have a subframe recall washer laying in my garage, should I use that? I could use that, with the PVC over it.... hmmm....


I was SOOO discouraged when I found that leak. I decided to clean up and put the wheels on anyway, because I just had to take it for a ride, to make myself remember why I'm doing this. It was a good idea, because I feel a lot better now (and the SHO felt SOO good with the new SHONUT reinforced mount and new halfshaft!)

 

[Sho_Freak]

eh, just put some hot glue on the thing and ur fine! it wont melt.....

 

[Bizzy]

IMHO, RTV has no business in or on a tranny. You wouldn't believe the mess even the slightest amount of RTV will make inside a tranny.

I, oh so ditto the RTV issue. I've seen some real messes come from just a little bit of the stuff. It hardens to a rubbery type firmness. When (not if) it gets sucked into the gear shaft inside the tranny it causes a blockage. The internals of the tranny are already under lubricated due to the nature of the tranny. Adding total blockage of the shafts makes the tranny destined for trouble...and expensive trouble at that.

This is what happens, typically when the case is sealed with RTV, however this particular tranny wasn't. It had the axle seals put in with it and instead of using teflon tape for the bolts that go in the wet side they used RTV there as well. So little, yet caused so much damage.

This is a pic of the main gear shaft with RTV stuck in the lubricating pores. Given that the syncrhos, gears and bearings are already underlubricated...what do you think this stuff is going to do? You got it...ruin the tranny in a hurry.

Unlike RTV, if air is present (which inside every MTX tranny there is air) the anaerobic sealant never hardens. Only in the lack of air does it harden....like between the case halves.

So...trannies and RTV don't mix regardless of where.

 

[rangerj]

A TSB (Technical Service Bulitin) was issued many moons ago regarding the axel shaft seals in the transmission. It clearly stated that a thin coating of anaerobic sealant should be used to seal between the transmission and the axel shaft seal. It also stated that RTV should NOT be used for this purpose.

The new seal should have a bead of grease around it where the axel goes through the seal. It also helps to clean the axel shaft of any rust, rough surfaces, and especially any burrs that can cut the seal. And as mentioned above be careful when installing the axel, so as not to damage the seal.

As for installing the seal, the flat side of a bearing race installing tool works very well. You can get a set of the different sizes with a handle for about $20. Food for thought. rangerj

 

[the on going reality of shopower]

what is this trans a mtx or atx ??
if it is a atx you could also have a wore bushing causing the alxe to move around a bit thus spiting fluid out. Or on a atx-mtx you could of had the spring behind the seal come out thus meaning no sealing the axle at all.
these are suggestions of what happens to me everyday at work

Ps I'm a transmission Apprentice mech

 

[Bizzy]

His car is an MTX.