33 replies to this topic

[cbstdscott]

For no apparent reason, my car has sprung an impressive tranny fluid leak where the driver's side (left) axle passes into the tranny.

Has anyone ever had a similar issue? What is the best solution to the problem? Will replacing the axle solve the problem?

Many thanks for the replies,

Scott

[Lymitliss]

Replace the axle seal

[3gencivic]

i have had that. go under the car and try to move the axle up and down if you find that you get even more fluid. your probably looking at a main bearing inside the transmittion. if its ok your after a seal. my bearing had tottaly failed. all of the bearing were gone and at the magnet at the bottom.

[cbstdscott]

Thanks! I will track down an axle seal.

[cbstdscott]

Rockauto has them in stock. Part ordered.

Now I know how I will spend my next weekend.

[hondaguy72]

At least 30 minutes of it.

[RARECRX]

Before I would do any of that I would check to see if it (The axle) is all the way in first.

[cbstdscott]

Before I would do any of that I would check to see if it (The axle) is all the way in first.

It has been "all the way in" for years. What would cause it to come out?

Scott

[RARECRX]

I have had axles "pop" out just a little to where it leaks due to hard driving/launches. It's free to check.. It does happen.. Especially the axle may seem like it's all the way in on install, but it really is not . Kind of tricky on these It's like "Is it in? I think..Hmmm". and it will be fine and after some course of time, it will leak.. *raises hand* I have done it . I could not figure the leak out for the life of me so I went under and banged the axle in with a hammer and bar and POP.. It was in correctly.

It could, and probably will be, the seal.. worst case is cracked diff housing I suppose.. You know what they say.. Start small (and free)..

[mallardtape]

99.99% of the time its the axle seal. Its common enough to happen. Just like any other seal they get old and brittle. pull the axle pop out the seal pop in a new one reinstall the axle and you're set. Usually pretty quick and easy job

[cbstdscott]

I would hate to have a cracked case...

I will try the recommended tricks before I slip the axle out.

Someone suggested that it should only take me 30 minutes to replace an axle seal.... obviously that person has not seen me work.

Scott

[Jim Hardesty]

For me the hardest part is "pop the new seal in".

It is the driver's side that goes bad on mine and there is no room to get any leverage to drive it in. That and I have no idea what "in" means for the seal. I thinik it is supposed to be flush with the case, but it's possible to push the seal in too far I believe.

The actual tasks to get it done are about 30 minutes, is the fact that I can't get the damn seal in that takes 2 hours.

[dan all motor]

You have to make sure you put it in even in.
Because if you dont put it in evenly it will still leak
Get some thing the same diameter as the seal and push it with a plastic hammer
if not then its your bearing inside are getting busted
Good luck

[anjin]

One of our local gen 2 owners had to redo it three times before he got the depth right.

I use the old seal to drive the new one in.

[mtcrx]

One of our local gen 2 owners had to redo it three times before he got the depth right.

I use the old seal to drive the new one in.

I used a large diameter socket and drove the seal in, gently, until the edges were flush with the housing. It goes in pretty easy so you really don't have to drive it in very hard. Be careful too when putting the axle in that you don't bump the seal and move it out of position. You might want to get new c-clips/light snap ring for the axle transmission ends, they hold the axle in place inside the transmission. But really, once you have had the axles out the next time is fast and easy. When you put axle back in be sure you feel them, pop, or click in to place, (like mentioned above) that is the clip locking in to place. I am amazed at the simplicity of the seal against the axle system and how it holds in all of the transmission fluid, but everything is set to tolerances that keep the seal against the axle.