Trans leak, CV seal?

[bhazard]

Its coming out between the trans and that big 'thing' the CV shaft goes into that is attached to the trans...

What do I replace and how do I do it? Trans keeps running low and I dont wanna burn it up.

[tryingbe]

Remove the half shafts and replace the seal. While you have everything out, you might as well replace both side.

Hammer and screw driver method works for me.

[92lebaronGTC]

Trans seals are cheap insurance and will most likely help this problem.

[phantomrt]

He might be referring to it leaking from between the extension housing and the transmission. Once the CV axle is removed, it is easy to remove that extension housing and re-seal it with RTV. The type of RTV doesn't seem to matter too much. I've used about every kind to seal up manual transmissions (same deal with the auto in this case) and it all work perfectly well assuming there isn't anything wrong with the two machined surfaces.

I'd forget my head if it wasn't attached-- does the extension housing contain the differential carrier bearing's outer race? But it shouldn't matter as long as care is used while re-assembling it.

[bhazard]

That thing really seals up with RTV???

Wonder how long I would have to let the car sit to let the RTV cure... or if it would work with the surface all oily.

[phantomrt]

That's what I always use. If I am correct in that the bearing race is part of that extension housing, you cannot use a gasket there because of the bearing preload clearances. As you're installing it and tightening up the bolts, it would be a good idea to spin the differential as you gradually snug up the bolts so keep the bearings properly "seated". In theory, the differential will fall a bit when the housing is removed but shouldn't be of much alarm as long as care is used during re-assembly.

RTV won't adhere very well with it all oily. When you remove the extension housing, oil WILL come out, or if it doesn't, you're way low on it. You can raise the passenger side of the vehicle up as high as you can and that will make the fluid fall to the driver's side, allowing you to brake clean the surfaces really well and apply a thin bead of RTV on both surfaces and mash them together. The oil will drip out of there for hours otherwise.

I've always put stuff like this into service immediately after assembly and not wait for RTV to cure or anything and it has never been a problem. I use permatex ultra copper on it. Works great. I use it on pretty much everything.

Speaking of which, I seem to recall scraping away the massive amounts of RTV that got squeezed out when the factory assembled it. I honestly don't think it is leaking there unless it has been apart before... just FYI. What kind of transmission is it?

[bhazard]

Its an A413.

So the ultra copper should work good? Plain black? Or any really?

It definitely looks like its leaking around there, you can see in the pic the blob of fluid thats about to fall to the ground.

[phantomrt]

My $$$ is on the leak being from the rubber seal around the CV axle, and not where the extension housing attaches to the transmission case. That seal is probably original to the car and, well, is old rubber.

Disclaimer: I've never taken the extension housing off of one of these auto transmissions. Its probably the same process as that of a manual trans which I've done many times, but dont shoot me if I am wrong.

M

[MooseMotorsport]

I agree, the leak is coming from where the CV shaft goes into the extension housing. Pull the CV shaft and replace the seal.

[ggariepy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhazard Its an A413. So the ultra copper should work good? Plain black? Or any really?

Spend the $6 and get the right stuff from the dealer. It's guaranteed to work.

Part #05010884AA Mopar ATF-RTV Silicone. Comes in a 3oz tube; more than you need to reseal the whole tranny.

I've heard a lot of guys say "use this" or "use that" and if it works, great. If it doesn't, you've caused yourself a lot of hassle over trying to save $2 or $3. You'll wish you spent that extra $3 when the leak comes back.

Just my $.02

--Geoff

[Timmay2]

The right stuff from the dealer is technically the wrong stuff. Transmissions NEVER came from a factory with RTV because RTV is not oil proof, only oil resistant. RTV shoudl not be used in applications where it is exposed to standing oil, such as the lower transmission seals (things like the selector on top, however, is ok.

Use the proper stuff, Anaerobic sealant. This is what the transmission were sealed with from the factory. It is also more tolerant to the stress, vibrations, and heat a transmission will generate.

[bhazard]

Bringing this back, according to NAPA the extension housing uses the same seal as the CV shafts. So I got the last two they had, only $4. Gonna do the job today. Even if the extension housing doesnt use the seal, oh well, then I can replace both CV shaft seals.

[Oclk Dlux]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmay2 The right stuff from the dealer is technically the wrong stuff. Transmissions NEVER came from a factory with RTV because RTV is not oil proof, only oil resistant. RTV shoudl not be used in applications where it is exposed to standing oil, such as the lower transmission seals (things like the selector on top, however, is ok. Use the proper stuff, Anaerobic sealant. This is what the transmission were sealed with from the factory. It is also more tolerant to the stress, vibrations, and heat a transmission will generate.

Sorry, you're off base. All the factory repair manuals I have say to use the Mopar "gear box" sealant (RTV) to seal pans, axle seals, etc. I've rebuilt several transaxles now and each had the everything glued together with the factory gear box RTV. No leaks, not even with using synthetic ATF.

As for the RTV itself, Mopar used to have two separate RTVs, a metallic black for the engine and a grey for the gear box. Now they only sell the grey RTV for both engine & the gearbox, P/N 82300234. Good stuff.

[22dodge]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhazard Its an A413. So the ultra copper should work good? Plain black? Or any really? It definitely looks like its leaking around there, you can see in the pic the blob of fluid thats about to fall to the ground.

NEVER use blue RTV. that is only for orange small block chevy's ooozing out from the valve cover gaskets

[Clayton]

I've used the black RTV for years without issues, I used it on my a670's diff cover when I installed retainers and it hasn't leaked a drop. But that leak definitely looks to be coming from the axle seal. I always like to put a little RTV around the seal itself before installing it, Just extra insurance incase there is a nick or something on the mating surface that might cause a leak. I also like to take a piece of sandpaper and wrap it around the end of the axle shaft where the seal would be and give it several good twists to give the seal a good smooth surface to run on. Also check those extension housing bolts to ensure their tight, I once had all 4 of those fall out on me, It wasn't a very pleasant sound.

Good Luck.