I own a 95 Maxima SE and I just changed out both axles because the boots were ripped. Then I drained and refilled the tranny. I might have overfilled it a little, but that shouldn't be a big deal. Before I changed the axles the tranny never leaked at all. Now after I changed the axles it appears that the passenger side of the tranny is leaking a little around the axle, but I am not 100% sure. There is no play around the either of the axles and the car shifts smooth and I don't hear any bearing noise. Is is possible the axle isn't in all the way or what else could it be? I am lost and confused...Thanks.

 

You may have damaged the seals on the trans when changing the axles.

Ready to take them in and out one more time??

 

So to change the seals do you have to drop the tranny?

 

No, but you have to take the axles out.

 

Well I would only have to do the passenger side then...It seems pretty hard to get to that side of the tranny. Is there a easy way to get to that side? Does anybody know the part number for the seal? Is it the same part number for both sides? Thanks.

 

I ended up having to drop the y-pipe and the lower support bar to get to it without the "proper tools". My shop uses a long extension with a large socket on the end of it. The socket fits right on the outside edges of the seal. Someone holds the seal while the other person knocks the sucker in. I would do this but I didn't have a large enough socket and I am too cheap to buy one. So, I jsut spent the extra 20 minutes and dropped the lower support bar and the y-pipe and wah-la, more than enough room.....

 

Well I got under the car and it definitely looks like it is leaking from the passenger side. The drivers side looks ok. I replaced both axles, but neither of the seals. I checked for any play in the axles and there wasn't any at all, so I am sure I probably just damaged it putting the new one in. I am sure they were never replaced before. Did anybody find the part numbers? Thanks for the help.

 

Just out of curiosity, what is the significance of some "play in the axles?" Would this cause your tranny to leak?

 

Well if the bearings go bad then you will have play in the axles and it will cause it to leak past your seals.

 

Same thing happend to me when I changed my right axle. After driving a couple days I notice tranny fluid at the bottom of the tranny, at first I thought it was the gasket but I notice the fluid was coming from around the axle. I just orderd the seal from nissan it should be here by the end of the week but I have to take the axle back out which is a pain in the azz.

 

Well I finally go the old axle seal out, but I am having a hard time getting the new one in. I tried using a socket on the seal, but I think I may need a bigger socket. Everytime I try and pound it in, it gets one side in more than the other and then I have to pop it back out and try again. Does anybody have any other methods?

 

I've tried 3x to do the driver side, but always ended up damaging the seal. So I gave up and let my mechanic do it. He used the same method: huge socket, extension, and mallet.

This weekend I changed my passenger side cv boot...and sure enuf, now my passenger seal is leaking. In addition, I'm getting a lotta chatter when engaging 1st. I always had this since installing ACT in January. My mechanic fixed the chatter tho.
Hopefully everyhitng will be fixed quickly. I think my mechanic charges $35 to change the seal. Seal is cheap, only $8.
Jae

 

mann

i hope it's just the seal problem. I hate that word "bearings"...

 

Well since mine didn't leak before and I didn't have any play in my axles, I don't think it should be a bearing problem. I mean the car never leaked a drop until I changed the axles out. I hope I get the seal in today and everything works out.

 

Set the seal in and use the the butt end of a hammer (wood) put that against the seal and work around the edges to get the seal in...there is no seal-stopper on our trannies so make sure you dont put it in too far or it will leak

-matt

 

How do you know what is far enough. Do you just want it completely flush? I can't really use a hammer because it is the passenger side one and I didn't take the Y-pipe off. I have been using the socket with the big extension trick. Any other tips for me?

 

flush is all u need.
Jae

 

I was by Jeff (Maximum Tuning) and he told me to do pretty much the same thing Ramius was talking about which is to remove the support bar and remove the bolt from the engine mount the one that is behind the tranny and you will be able to push the engine and tranny to one side and gain a better access to place the seal in. Give him a call (516)676-8470 and he will give you the low down.

 

So I finally got the new seal in and it didn't leak. Then I drove it for a 10 min no leaks. I let it sit overnight and I looked underneath and it had a little fluid on the axle. I drove it today and when I got home it was leaking more. All I know is that the seal is in there. It might not be perfctly flush, but it is real close. Does it have to be perfect? It might be in a little more in one end, so that end might not be flush. I mean it never leaked at all, till I changed out the axles. I have no play whatsoever in my axles either, so I don't really think its a bearing. Is it possible that the axle is defective? What else can I try? I mean does the seal have to be perfectly flush? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Also I had one other question. Has anybody had their axles leak a little at first and then after the seal breaks in stop leaking? One other thing has anybody tried putting any gasket sealer or something on the gasket and have that stop the leaking?

 

You lubed the end of the axle where the seal rides when you installed them, right?

 

Yes, I did. I am thinking since part of the seal is not perfectly flush, then that might be throwing it off. I just didn't think they had to be exact. It seems like it leaks more right after driving it like after the car is hot. I am confused and sick of taking the axle out. I really don't want to take it to the dealer either. I guess I am going to have to take the axle out and make sure to get it in there flush.

 

You could have an axle with a groove worn in from the seal lip. There are sleeves that slide over the end of the axle to create a new surface for the seal. At least there is for common domestic shafts, probably for the Max as well.

 

It seems when my car sits for a long period of time, it doesn't hardly leak at all, but when I drive it and get it hot, it leaks a lot more. WTF?

 

tranny fluid could get more fluid/liquidy when warm.
i tried filling my tranny when it was 65deg out...took forever. Another time i did it when it was 90deg...flowed oh so smoothly!
Jae