I am trying to replace the rear seal on my T56 and I need to remove the driveshft and I have never done it before and I have no idea how it is done. I have removed the 4 bolts that hold the clamps for the rear of the driveshaft and I am at a standstill. Car is a 2000 Trans Am. Thanks in advance.

 

Once you removed those bolts from the clamps you should be able to pry the U joints off of it with a big screw driver or tap it w/ a big rubber mallet. After that just wiggle it out of the rear tranny.

 

Thanks, got it

 

Now I just have to figure out how to remove the seal.

 

Unbolt the Rear Cover and take it off the Engine. Pop the old Seal out with a flathead screwdriver and install the new one properly with the correct side facing in. Use the back of a large Socket to install it flush and flat, make sure it seats fully. Then put the Rear Cover back on.

If you buy the Seal and it has the white plasic piece in the middle of it, wipe down the Seal surface with a Rag..it will have some kind of lubricant that you don't want there. Put a little bit of grease or oil on the outside of the Seal, this will help it install into the Rear Cover.

 

Im not sure what you mean when you say "Unbolt the Rear Cover and take it off the Engine". The seal that I believe is leaking is the black rubber boot on the trans. where the driveshaft fits onto the output shaft.

 

He was referring to the rear main seal.

I will go look at my tail housing and see how that seal comes out.

 

Thanks, yeah Im trying to fix the leak coming from the rear of my transmission, not the engine. Its been slowly leaking for a while and I am at a stand still right now becasue I dont know how to pull the seal out.

 

Ya..I read it too fast..lol

Just get a Seal Puller and yank it out..then pop the new one in with a good sized Socket.

 

Yes that is the way.

 

I keep reading and doing research trying to convince myself that the only thing that I need to replace is the seal but I am seeing other people who have replaced multiple seals and have had no luck and replaced the bushing and they were good to go. I think I am going to err on the side of caution and remove my tail shaft and replace both as a preventitive measure.

I believe all I need to do is remove the shifter, torque arm, and the 8 bolts that hold the tailshaft onto the tranny. Anything else?

 

It's the Seal man..the Bushing really isn't goin to help..it has a groove in it so it doesn't hold any fluid back..

 

Im wondering why other people are saying that they replaced multiple seals and had no luck and then replaced the bushing and, wham, no more leaks. It really sucks when you have very minimal knowledge of transmissions.