96 850T What seals to change on tranny swap?

850TurboTurtle · Post by **850TurboTurtle** » 18 Aug 2015, 13:28

Hi - I finished my head gasket job successfully (thanks all for the help!) but a few thousand miles later the tranny pooped out. I've just about got a donor tranny pulled off another car now. But what should I be doing to that tranny before I install it? I know a flush is a bad idea (I'll drain and refill once I have it on the road).

What about seals or other maintenance while I have the tranny out and while i have my engine with the new gasket job half exposed (on a lift with the tranny off)? I hope to get another 80k+ out of this car, with the rebuild and a solid tranny installed.

Thanks everyone!

Post by **scot850** » 18 Aug 2015, 15:08

When I had my rear Main Seal (RMS) done, I had the front seal on the trans replaced, removed the front cover plate and re-sealed it as it is difficult to access when installed, and then the 2 axle seals.

Also check the condition of your trans cooler lines as they are easier to fit when you have some room, but not to bad if you do them later.

Like you say, don't power flush the system. I subscribe to the drain the oil from the drain plug, refill, and then remove the upper hose at the radiator and run/drain/fill until the fluid runs clear. There are those who prefer to drain, run the car and drain at each of the next 2 engine oil swaps. What ever you do, just don't power flush it!

Good Luck.

Neil.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 18 Aug 2015, 15:32

Scot850 has the plan - the RMS on the engine and the input shaft seal at the torque converter for sure but I also go ahead and put in new axle seals while the transmission is out. They can be changed while it is bolted up but it is much easier with the transmission out of the car.

...Lee

Post by **erikv11** » 18 Aug 2015, 15:34

Thumbs up those two guys have it down!

Post by **cn90** » 18 Aug 2015, 15:48

Corteco is the OEM mfg of seal.
Don't use any other brand other than Corteco or Volvo OEM.

850TurboTurtle · Post by **850TurboTurtle** » 18 Aug 2015, 16:08

Thank you everyone!!

Just got the engine / tranny out. Ordering all seals recommended above. Hope this thread is helpful to the next person.

850TurboTurtle · Post by **850TurboTurtle** » 18 Aug 2015, 16:11

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... -9458178-1

I expected something thicker, from my limited memory...

850TurboTurtle · Post by **850TurboTurtle** » 18 Aug 2015, 16:22

Also, the excellent tranny swap tutorial by Wheelsup recommends changing the Auto tranny front pump seal. I've looked for a tutorial and can't find anything (though I can find the part on Grotons).

I don't know where this part is or how to replace it. Any pointers that way are appreciated.

850TurboTurtle · Post by **850TurboTurtle** » 18 Aug 2015, 16:26

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... -6843112-1

I'll be getting two of these. Recently replaced one in my old, bad tranny, but I assume it's a bad idea to pull and move it to the 'new' tranny. Better to get brand new.

PS - This is more the size and shape I was expecting for the RMS. But if the thin RMS linked previously is correct, please confirm. Thanks.

And, sorry to noob out like this, but what is the difference between the axle shaft seal and the differential seal: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... al-6843112

Post by **scot850** » 18 Aug 2015, 17:04

Those 2 parts are the same. Just different names for the same thing. Some AWD cars use the same seal in the rear differential for driving the rear wheel axles.

Like you can't remember what the RMS looked like, and can't answer the trans pump question as that is new to me also.

Neil.