Transmission additives/seal conditioners?

Post by **dcarlson12** » 24 Jul 2011, 13:56

I have a slow oil leak which appears to be from the transmission/axle seal on the passenger/right side.
Has anyone had any success with any additives with seal conditioners/softeners to try to solve this type of leak in the short term? If so, what is name of conditioner/additive?
99 S80 T6

Post by **jimmy57** » 24 Jul 2011, 16:01

The success of these types additives is not fantastic but as a gamble it is a far better bet than a scratch off ticket.
I have used Lucas trans additive with seal conditioner with success. It is probably $10 or less.

Post by **dcarlson12** » 24 Jul 2011, 17:32

Thks Jimmy57
And I gather there has not really been any reported bad results that you have heard of?

Post by **dcarlson12** » 26 Jul 2011, 10:39

Have decided to NOT add any additives/seal conditioners. Think it might just cause more problems. Leak is very slow so will maybe wait until wheel hub needs replacing. i.e. I have replaced the left wheel hub so likely that the right will be failing relatively soon. Then I would pull axle and viscous coupling and install new seal in differential hub.
It has been a while since I did the left one so I don't remember all details and wasn't looking to remove the axle at that time.
Can anyone confirm if I can pull the axle out if I remove the wheel hub? i.e. VADIS says to tilt wheel assembly down after removing wheel sensor and disconnecting tie rod end and not remove/replace the wheel hub. Is it an easier way to remove the axle than removing the wheel hub????

Post by **jimmy57** » 26 Jul 2011, 11:33

I remove the ball joint bolt, the axle bolt, tap the end of axle to be sure it is not stuck and will come out of hub, and then pry down lower control arm and move the spindle outward while being sure axle goes out the back of hub. Tie/prop/chain to something the strut with spindle out of the way. Now axle can be popped out of trans.

Post by **dcarlson12** » 26 Jul 2011, 12:01

When reinstalling the ball joint nut, do you have the fancy tools shown in VADIS to hold he ball joint 'bolt' and nut while torquing? Or ???