I recently purchased a new max (i30, w/ 5 speed) and the hub is having some leakage issues.

Here is a picture of the axle http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/j...3d801f559a.jpg it is right after the inner boot. I can see about 1/8 to 1/4 of exposed gold. Is that normal? How far is it off? There isn't any movability, like I can't move the hub assembly in and out.

I know that the retaining ring is bad, but I don't think that would secure the hub into the transaxle that much, I have a feeling that a seal or some type of fastener.

Has anybody had this issue? I'd just like to know what would cause this to leak MT fluid? It is only 1-2 quarter sizes a night, is it safe to drive on for a while? Either way I'd like get it replaced ASAP!

Thanks very much in advance!

*edit* I took some pictures of the exact area but cannot find the damn cable to get it onto my comp. I will update this thread with a pic when I can

 

Here is an image of the hub.



Thanks!

 

that could be probably 1 of 3 things... bad axle seal... bad differential bearing.. or that axle is just messed up..

go to autozone and get a new axle...

 

Alright - thanks. I don't see the need to get a new axle, there is nothing wrong with it besides some sort of seal.

Would a missing retaining ring cause it to pull out that much? Could it just not be pressed on the seal?

 

Appears to be a newer axel in the car. It also seems to be installed correctly.

5 speed leaks are generally tied to bad diff. bearings.

I think your looking at a minor tranny rebuild in the very near future.

 

Well, it just had a $1,600 rebuild about 2,000 miles ago, so I hope a tranny rebuild isn't in my near future. I do believe the diff bearings were changed with that rebuild however I am not 100% certain.

How likely would it be that the hub seal went bad?

 

I just talked to the previous owner and the diff bearings were replaced. The only real question now is the retaining ring. When the tranny was rebuilt and reassembled they did not replace that ring, which is suppose to be every time the axle is removed. I'll stop at autozone and try and pick up a ring and replace it tomorrow and see what that cures.

 

the gold part you're seeing is the dust sheild that covers the actual seal. that's perfectly normal.

the part you're talking about is not the hub. the hub is on the other end of the axle. that's the axle seal/output shaft seal. behind it is the differential.

how far in is the seal pushed behind it? there's enough room on the machined opening that you can push it in about 3/16" below the outer surface of the tranny... if you push it too far in, the seal doesn't work properly and seeps like you see. sometimes you can pull them out a little bit and it'll still work, but most of the time you damage it just trying to move it. It only needs to be pressed in far enough so that the front surface is just below the front surface of the tranny. about 1mm or so.

A new one is $10-20, depending on where you go. only ones I've found to fit perfectly every time are the dealer. parts stores say they can get 'em, but rarely are they ever the right part.

replace the axle seal and see what that does.

 

Matt,

Thank you very much for the response, it is definitely good news - last thing I wanted to hear would be a huge repair.

If you would be so kind as to giving me a part number - that would be fantastic. I cannot seem to find it on the http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/j...3d801f559a.jpg drawing.

Unfortunately I don't have a nissan/infiniti dealer within 30 miles so I may have autozone order one, I just need to make sure I get the right one!

Thanks again!

 

I would not buy the seal from Autozone, especially if they have to order it. Might as well order it from Nissan, a dealer like Courtesy Nissan, Conicelli Nissan, or Worldpartsexpress.com will have it to you quickly enough.

Driver's side (non LSD) pn: 38342-81X00
Driver's side (w/ LSD) pn: 38342-80X00
Passenger side seal pn: 38342-81X01
Judging by the pic that's a non-LSD tranny, but double-check that. They should be about $6.

Keep the MT oil topped off according to the fill plug. The retaining clip on the axle stub is working if you can't pull out the axle. So I don't follow why you say it's bad. You can re-use that retaining ring as long as it's not bent.

Hope your tranny rebuild lasts. I've rebuilt some "rebuilt" trannys - I hope I'm only seeing the bad ones, because the ones I've opened up did not look good.

 

Thank you kindly I will order them up.

The rebuild was VERY thorough, all new gears, syncros, ect. I have the invoice of over $1,600 - it better last haha.

Quick question - how can i check if i have an LSD tranny or not?

Thanks again!

 

Sorry one more question - the part number for the seal pulls up a 1990 or a 2007 seal. I assume I'm looking for the 1990?

 

You don't have an LSD trans, I can tell from the pic. The axle seal on the LSD trans is about 3.5" in diameter (the outer diameter) - yours is obviously not that big in the picture unless it's very deceiving. giving your vin# to the dealership will tell you, checking the vin plate that is riveted to the passenger side of the firewall of your car will tell you (the trans code will be RS5F50A if it's open diff or RS5F50V if it's LSD).

Just call up your nissan dealership of choice (I personally like Southpoint Nissan, DaveB the parts guy is awesome) and have them send you the seal with the appropriate part# as listed above). I don't know what you're looking at that is indicating that the seals listed above are usable for a 2007, but they're not.