850 right (inside) gear oil seal advice

pmonk · Post by **pmonk** » 03 Apr 2006, 12:25

Hi, I have posted before because I believed I had a leaking manual tranny but with lots of help from people on here (White850Turbo always has the info) I believe I have narrowed the leak down to the inside gear oil seal. It looks like the gear oil leaks out a little while driving and spins/flings around and then drips down the tranny case making it look like it is coming from places it isn't. When not moving the car doesn't leak. My questions are 1: I recently had the axles and cv joints done, could this be the root of my problem and if so maybe I can coax the mechanic who did them into helping me out. 2: The haynes manual makes changing one of these look easy but i am sure it is much harder than it looks, so is this out of the average diy league? 3. Should I just ignore it and just periodically check the gear oil levels? (probably a bad idea, but I am really broke) 4: Would this cost a ton for a mechanic to repair? (really really broke, barely covered rent). If I did this myself I would probably need to buy a jack stand and do it on the street in front of my apartment so would want to finish it fairly quick. I am sure people are getting used to seeing me under the car while driving by by now but it gets scary when the bus goes by.
Any advice or suggestions appreciated.
-p

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 03 Apr 2006, 13:10

You're talking about where the axles go into the tranny? This is a 5-spd model, right?

I'll throw up some diagrams later and can provide any needed documentation and advice for replacing it

.

pmonk · Post by **pmonk** » 03 Apr 2006, 13:20

yeah, that is the spot and its the 5 speed stick, i took lots of photos, but they are at home. I can post some later. You always have the good info

thanks!
-p

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 04 Apr 2006, 06:51

Okay, about the seal: The part number is 6843481. Should run you about $20 at the dealer and $9 + shipping from FCP Groton.

This is a lot easier than one might think to remove the axle. You have to remove the axle nut (36 mm) w/ a BIG breaker bar.... it's on there tight. Remove swaybar link. Unbolt ball joint part of control arm and let it hang, making sure that it doesn't get dirty. Tap the shaft out of the hub, and then you can pull it out of the transmission.

If a new seal doesn't fix the problem, a new axle may be needed and if that doesn't fix it, transmission replacement may be required

... this is not likely though.

pmonk · Post by **pmonk** » 04 Apr 2006, 09:46

Thanks a lot! Here are some pictures of the area

and

I am going to talk to the guys who did the axles a few weeks back and see if they can do something about it, because i am pretty sure this has something to do with it, but if they want money then I will try it myself. It doesn't sound all that bad, it just seems that if I paid for something the first time it shouldn't damage something else.

-p

Post by **mom** » 04 Apr 2006, 11:19

Strange........

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 04 Apr 2006, 14:05

In my opinion, any loose bolt is not normal. Most transmission housing screws are at 50Nm (from the software I have for repairs) and that means 36.87 lb ft. If the place doesn't tighten that up for you, then I would go about 35 lb ft. and see how it feels and then give it a cinch more if you feel it could go a bit more. To me it appears that the leak may be a result of a loose housing there.

pmonk · Post by **pmonk** » 04 Apr 2006, 14:51

you know, I noticed that right after I posted that pic. I didn't notice it crawling around under there, but the flash from the camera really picked it out. I took the pictures to the mechanic a few hours ago and it looks like they are going to do the seal and all since they really should have done it before and probably damaged it and could see how it is their fault ie: everyone knows and has pictures of it not leaking right before the service, and after, presto! new leak. At least that is the understanding today. we will see tommorow, we also discussed that bolt. if you look close you can see a mark on it and the housing where it lined up and it is now backed out, but may have been backed out for years. I will post when more details arise.

thanks all
-p

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 04 Apr 2006, 15:37

Good deal! I hope they treat you right and everything gets fixed.

About the bolt. I don't think it has backed out over the years...it's something new. Look how clean the part that's sticking out looks. I would say that if it had been out for a long time you would see some grime in there. Just my thoughts on the matter.