So, I replaced both of my axles recently. When I was in there, I also replaced both of the oil seals (which were pretty hard to get in there, they were a tight fit!). I then filled the tranny up with fresh fluid, to the line of the input hole (about 4 litres). Over the next few weeks, the oil slowly leaked out both sides of the tranny. Once it drained a certain amount, it stopped leaking. It still shifts fine, and seems to be lubricated, although it does occasionally grind a little more than it used to.

The question I have is this: Are the oil seals on the sides of the tranny supposed to be tight against the axles, to prevent oil leaks? if they are not supposed to be actually tight, what stops the oil from leaking out? The fill hole for the tranny is above the line of the oil seals, so when I put in the 4 litres, in my mind, it should have leaked out until it was even with the bottom of the seals... right?

Any input is appreciated.
Thanks!

 

sounds like the oil seals were installed incorrectly. And make sure you put the right fluid. GL-4 only.

 

this.

The oil seals should hold.

 

Ya, I had to put in GL-5 Fluid in there when I did these, as we were living in Sacramento at the time, and there were no stores in the area that sold GL-4. This is also my only car, and I could only have it down for a day or two, and the CV joint was rattling like crazy.

I found a shop that has GL-4 here in Dallas, and am going to get some today.
I don't know how I could have messed up the oil seal installs, they were tight going in, but I used a PVC pipe and hammered them in, so I wouldn't damage the seals themselves. I really don't want to take out both axles again...

Do you guys think that just the GL-5 could be the only reason it was leaking? Or should I redo the seals?

Thanks for the input tho!

 

gl-5 is not the reason for it leaking.

are you sure you installed the correct seal on the correct side? they are not identical.

 

this.

 

This afternoon I went to O'reilly to get the new seals. I took a look at them, and they were both the same size, and looked larger than the axle rod that goes into the tranny. I haven't pulled the axles yet, but I think last time I got the seals, autozone gave me two of the same size, just like today. I took them back, and had them pull a Maxima axle that they had in their store, and try different seals until they found one listed for my car that fit. I guess lesson learned. Test them out, and don't trust what they give you. I'm betting that the passenger side one is way too big for the axle, and that is why it was leaking.

Tomorrow I pull everything out, and put in the new seals. Hopefully, everything goes well!

Thanks again for the input and ideas guys!

 

this is the sort of part that i always go to the dealership for. parts store dolts are always messing up stuff like this because they look basically identical, but aren't quite the same.

 

Excellent point Nealoc .... the are very close, but IIRC, the ps seal is a tiny bit bigger in the center. ???? Someone feel free to correct me on this, it's been a while.

GL-5 will eat the brass in the syncroz and shaft you down the road. (pardon the pun) GL-4 doesn't have the same additives and it's spec for our 4g's. Just get it changed out and it's not likely to have done too much damage if any in such a short time.