Yesterday I replaced torn boot on driver side outer CV joint (had to take out driveaxle for this). Immediately after I drove the car the first time I noticed terrible leak coming from driver side axle seal. Over the night almost half pint of tranny oil leaked. It was leaking for the last 5-6 month, but not at this rate: no more than couple of drops per night.
Today I brought the car to nearby shop and asked to replace axle seal (didn't have time to do it myself ). They did that, but leak didn't stop. It leaks so badly that after 30 or so freeway miles it become hard to shift due to low level of fluid. Guys at the shop suggested to replace driveaxle also, claiming that the leak is caused by driveaxle being worn out. Does this make sense to install new (well, rebuilt) driveaxle? What are the chances that this will stop the leak?

 

Not good IMO. It sounds like my expierence with bad differential bearings. Don't know if you familiar with the problem or not, but www.motorvate.ca has good info on this. I suspected my bearings were bad because of a drivers side leak from the differential seal. 2 new seal were replaced over a course of a couple years but the leak always came back. The last time i changed the seal it made the leak even worse....it would leak a quart over night.

I am sorry to say but it's most likely not the drive-axel, and your going to wish it was. It sound like your differential bearings are so shot that no seal can stop it from leaking. The only fix is to replace them which is basically a tranny rebuild. It's a common problem on 4th gen 5-spds and an expensive repair.

Some will say that bad bearings will cause a loud whine in 1st and 2nd gear, but mine never did. I just could not stop the differential form leaking. When I had my tranny rebuilt I got to see the old bearings and they were completely tore up.

Sorry dude....it may not be the bearings but I would bet $50 that it is.

 

#$#@#$#%! My car makes loud whining noise in 1-2 gears when it accelerates hard or going uphill. So, I guess, my tranny is toast. How much did you pay for tranny rebuild? What do you think: is it better to rebuild the old tranny or just drop in used one?

 

I paid 1700, but I had multiple things done, new bearings for both sides, new clutch, lightend flywheel intstall, and the 3-4 shift assembly replaced. I could have just had the bearings done for about $800 or $900, but if you rebuild your current tranny you need to replace any worn parts while they are in there.

As far as rebuilding your current tranny or droping a used one in I don't really know. You take the chance of putting in a used tranny that could have the same bearing problem since it's so common among 5spd 4th gen's. You could have the shop open the tranny to see if the bearings are good on the used one, but then that's like rebuilding your current one. I would lean twords rebuilding your current one.

 

had my tranny refurbished for 1700.. Every thing is new in the tranny. They also replaced cluth and resurfaced flywheel... Start Saving your money Bud...

Tyler

 

i say u replace the houseing only if that's the problem....it would be alot cheaper, there was a similar leak on my old max and i that's what i did and it was fine after.