Transmission leak
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Teching In
Joined: May 2018
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Transmission leak Hey everyone,
Couple different issues, so hopefully this is in the right spot.
I was underneath my 98 Trans Am a couple days ago checking things out because I have a little metallic clunk when shifting from park to drive, and noticed some transmission fluid leaking from the output shaft seal. It isn't leaking very bad and there is not any drips on the garage floor, but definitely has a drip.
After seeing this I started looking at the u-joints and one of the rubber seals on the cap is splitting, and there is some grease splattered up in the tunnel. While attempting to check the u-joint for looseness I noticed a little up and down play in the output shaft, I'm not sure if this is normal or not. There didn't seem to be any side to side play.
I've done some searching and read that a leak at the output of the tailshaft is due to a failed tailshaft bushing, but others just replaced the seal..
I'm thinking my course of action here will be new u-joints and at least a output shaft seal. Should I replace the bushing in the tailshaft housing? What do you guys think?
EDIT: Car is 100% stock.
Couple different issues, so hopefully this is in the right spot.
I was underneath my 98 Trans Am a couple days ago checking things out because I have a little metallic clunk when shifting from park to drive, and noticed some transmission fluid leaking from the output shaft seal. It isn't leaking very bad and there is not any drips on the garage floor, but definitely has a drip.
After seeing this I started looking at the u-joints and one of the rubber seals on the cap is splitting, and there is some grease splattered up in the tunnel. While attempting to check the u-joint for looseness I noticed a little up and down play in the output shaft, I'm not sure if this is normal or not. There didn't seem to be any side to side play.
I've done some searching and read that a leak at the output of the tailshaft is due to a failed tailshaft bushing, but others just replaced the seal..
I'm thinking my course of action here will be new u-joints and at least a output shaft seal. Should I replace the bushing in the tailshaft housing? What do you guys think?
EDIT: Car is 100% stock.
Last edited by jshow816; Sep 8, 2018 at 09:57 PM.
You just need to be able to drive the bushing in straight or else it will be ruined. This is all assuming the yoke isn't worn.
I'm not sure when GM started using the teflon lined bushing but I pulled a tailhousing off a '99 truck that I know had 185,000 miles on it and the bushing and seal were still good, I'm still running it and it's not leaking. I've seen the same thing on unknown mileage tailhousings and have seen the bushing worn, and the lip on the OEM seal worn flat.
So if you change the seal only and it's the bushing you're only out $4, the housing doesn't need to come off to change it.
