Tranny/Drive Shaft Issue
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 25
Tranny/Drive Shaft Issue
Hey guys, I need your help. I have searched but couldn't come up with anything decent, so here goes. I recently replaced my drivers side drive shaft on my 97 maxima se Vlsd. And ever since then it as been leaking right where the tranny and driveshaft meet. Not a whole lot though just a drip or two every ten minutes. I thought that it was just a straight remove and replace procedure. So I removed the shaft again, and tried to clean it up as best i could while i was there and then reinstalled it, and it still leaks. Is there something that I missed? should i have replaced something while I was in there? Any help would be great thanks.
Mike
Mike
Well start by replacing the seal. But sadly, that often isn't the fix.
After you put in the new seal, grab the driveshaft on the end that's locked into the tranny. Push/pull/lift on it, and look to see if you can move the shaft and differential carrier AT ALL.
The differential carrier and shaft end is normally rock solid because the bearings are actually compressed into place. Any play indicates your tranny needs rebuilt. When this happens, these bearings have lost so much metal that the diff can wiggle around and the seal burps drops of oil.
When the wear reaches this point, the seal typically leaks a little all the time. The fact that you probably set the gear oil to the correct level might explain why you see more leaking now - before you were running low on oil. Replacing the seal only makes a small difference. Your tranny, if there is bearing wear, is wearing out fast. I suggest if you are in this position that you make a decision now and do it now - if you are thinking of getting it rebuilt, do it asap before the damage to the internals get too costly. Normally, if there is a little play and a little leakage resulting, the rebuild is pretty basic and very successful. Just make sure the shop reshims the diff carrier, and doesn't assume the original shims were right.
Dave
After you put in the new seal, grab the driveshaft on the end that's locked into the tranny. Push/pull/lift on it, and look to see if you can move the shaft and differential carrier AT ALL.
The differential carrier and shaft end is normally rock solid because the bearings are actually compressed into place. Any play indicates your tranny needs rebuilt. When this happens, these bearings have lost so much metal that the diff can wiggle around and the seal burps drops of oil.
When the wear reaches this point, the seal typically leaks a little all the time. The fact that you probably set the gear oil to the correct level might explain why you see more leaking now - before you were running low on oil. Replacing the seal only makes a small difference. Your tranny, if there is bearing wear, is wearing out fast. I suggest if you are in this position that you make a decision now and do it now - if you are thinking of getting it rebuilt, do it asap before the damage to the internals get too costly. Normally, if there is a little play and a little leakage resulting, the rebuild is pretty basic and very successful. Just make sure the shop reshims the diff carrier, and doesn't assume the original shims were right.
Dave
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