tmpvar

I recently developed a huge leak from the back of my transmission. I had just received new ujoints, so when i pulled the driveshaft out of the transmission, i realized that a "tab" on the transmission side of the rear oil seal had completely ripped the seal in half!

So, I bought a new seal, but I wasnt sure how it was supposed to seal on the back of the transmission. So, i put it around the driveshaft, "inside" the flange, and then tested it. It was still leaking lots of oil. so i got back underneath and noticed that the seal wasnt sitting at the back of the transmission, because the driveshaft is either to short, or the seal had to overlap the "tab" that i assumed had ripped the old seal in half. So, i spend an hour or so trying to get the seal over the tab. Then i tried it again. I know this is probably a REALLY stupid question.. but, is that tab supposed to be there? and if so, how does the seal usually seat on the back of the tranny?

Thanks in advance!

SureShot

It just taps in flush with the rim of the housing, rubber side inward.

I don't recall any tab?
Just a circular recessed seat for the seal..

tmpvar

ugh! that sucks, it looks like it was *broken* out, its just like a 1/4" peice that isnt flush with the rest of the circle.. hrm, I dont see how it could have been damnaged like that..


Im going to try to push the tab back in, ill give results later.

tmpvar

ouch! the *tab* nearly ripped this seal in half also! does anyone have any suggestions on what i should do? i was considering filing down the tab, since it doesnt want to move via pounding.

thanks for the help!

WAYNE88N/A

Did you run over something REALLY big, or try to jack the tranny at that point? I don't see how how that seal area could get damaged like that, unless it was blunt force

Sir Rupert Hobo

uh, sorry for the cut in, but can anyone tell me where i can get a rear tranny seal? autozone or something?

Sir Rupert Hobo

uh, sorry for the cut in, but can anyone tell me where i can get a rear tranny seal? autozone or something?

Sir Rupert Hobo

uh, sorry for the cut in, but can anyone tell me where i can get a rear tranny seal? autozone or something?

Sir Rupert Hobo

damn, i can't edit those last two posts...

tmpvar

napa had one in stock. but now im waiting for another one :-/. checker can order them, and you can get them from mazdatrix also.

tmpvar

And no, i didnt run over anything.. the *tab* is extruded from the rest of the seal "seat". Do you think it would be fease ble to file the tab off?

YearsOfDecay

Dude... Take a picture of that *tab* for us to see... Something just isn't kosher here... this sounds like one of those simple things that eludes us until we spends hundreds of dollars chasing ghosts..

SureShot

It sounds like the tab is a section of the seal seat that got bent inwards.
If you can't bend it back into a perfect circle, cut out the part that's interfering, insert the new seal, & JB weld the gap.

tmpvar

ugh! i dont have a digital camera. So i hope this helps, the tab is quite sharp on the extruded sides.

Thanks for all the help!

SureShot

Is this tab on the output shaft??
Or the seal seat?
If that's the seal - it's gone.

tmpvar

WOOPS! the tab is on the seal seat.. the white inner circle would be where the driveshaft "goes".

SureShot

Ahh. I see.
That seat should be flat on the bottom.
You must "make it so".
Maybe some careful hammer & punch work to forge the seat flange back in place.

It might have been damaged when the seal was removed in the past..

tmpvar

Ouch. the "flange" is the tab we have been talking about? or the actual seat? im still wondering what i should do with the tab, since it doesnt seem like it wants to move back in :-/

SureShot

In this case I'm refering to the inward flange that is the seal seat bottom.
It should be flat all the way around.
Even a hard 3-4" long bolt can be used as a punch to flatten it back down.

tmpvar

What do you mean when you say : "it just taps flush"?

to get the metal part of the seal flush with the seal seat, it would take a great amount of force, and probably break the seal..

Basically.. how far does the seal need to be pushed on?

WAYNE88N/A

are you sure you got the right seal? there's a metal flange seat that should sit flush w/ the tranny butt when tapped in all the way ( you can't tap it in any further than that unless your using a sledge hammer!)

tmpvar

yes, its the right seal, maybe i didnt line it up properly or something. it just doesnt seem like the metal part of the seal will fit over the seal seat.

thanks for all the help!

WAYNE88N/A

did you get that "tab" outta the way on the inner bore of the tranny?

tmpvar

yes, im just waiting for a new seal. ill give results tomorrow night.

tmpvar

Doh! the problem was apparently that the "tail housing bushing" had "backed out" thats why it was such a pain for me to get the seal over it. I had some tech's tell me this then the pushed the bushing back in with a punch. Which is considered a "temporary fix". Well, I figured it wouldnt be so bad since i had been driving it like that for quite a while and hadnt experienced any ill effects. Something came up and i was "forced" to drive it 1000+ miles. so now I'm in dallas and a couple days ago the tranny "seized" and broke the u-joints (previously replaced), and possibly bent the driveshaft, and broke the shifter free, so when i go over ~5mph it vibrates to all hell. Im sorry that this message is so shitty, but im typing it at a Radio Shack. I'm going back to arizona tonight, and I am considering selling the car. if anyone is interested it is in Rockwall, TX .. and well its been an EXCITING trip.



Sorry for the delay but I Figured that i should follow up on my post.