transmission linkage leak
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 1
From: Beverly Massachusetts
transmission linkage leak
well i took the transmission out of the car in April and steam cleaned the outside and put a new pan gasket on which got rid of the leaking on the passanger side but it is now leaking from where the shifter linkage hooks up on the tranny. is that hard to fix? im not planning on fixing it till after i move to the new house and i just want to know what i can expect before thinking about even doing this.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,350
Likes: 423
From: Seattle Area WA
That linkage seal is pretty easy to change. Remove the shifter linkage from the shaft that goes into the trans case, and with a small pick or screwdriver you should be able to remove that seal. If it doesn't come out easily that way, then you may need to drop the pan, disconnect the shaft on the inside, slide it out and then remove the seal so you don't scratch up the shaft or damage the case. It is a lip seal, lubricate the shaft and new seal and be careful when installing the new one not to damage the lip. Once you get it located and started, you can use an appropriate size socket to tap it into place. Good luck.
Last edited by Scott Marzahl; Dec 14, 2007 at 08:55 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 1
From: Beverly Massachusetts
That linkage seal is pretty easy to change. Remove the shifter linkage from the shaft that goes into the trans case, and with a small pick or screwdriver you should be able to remove that seal. If it doesn't come out easily that way, then you may need to drop the pan, disonnect the shaft on the inside, slide it out and then remove the seal so you don't scratch up the shaft or damage the case. It is a lip seal, lubricate the shaft and new seal and be careful when installing the new one not to damage the lip. Once you get it located and started, you can use an appropriate size socket to tap it into place. Good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Your going to have to drop the pan and remove the nut and arm from the shaft on the inside and then remove the linkage. Then the seal will come out, its a metal framed seal, pop it out with a screwdriver from the outside. Tap the new one in with a block of wood and a hammer.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 918
Likes: 5
From: Gainesville FL
I bought the tool that allows this seal to be removed without dropping the pan. Worked like a charm.
http://www.toolsource.com/shift-leve...r-p-72369.html
http://www.toolsource.com/shift-leve...r-p-72369.html
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 1
From: Beverly Massachusetts
I bought the tool that allows this seal to be removed without dropping the pan. Worked like a charm.
http://www.toolsource.com/shift-leve...r-p-72369.html
http://www.toolsource.com/shift-leve...r-p-72369.html
i'll order one in a week or so after i get situated in my new place. thanks again. 
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: shrewsbury Pa.
I bought the tool that allows this seal to be removed without dropping the pan. Worked like a charm.
http://www.toolsource.com/shift-leve...r-p-72369.html
http://www.toolsource.com/shift-leve...r-p-72369.html
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,696
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Is the transmission still out? If so, the tool will work great. If you've put it back in then the tool seems to be hit and miss because of the variable clearance in the tunnel. If you can't get the tool in place, just drop the pan and remove the shaft as mentioned above. Not hard, just much more time consuming.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,015
Likes: 2,260
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
Another good tip is that you can usually tap two seals in there..one on top of the other. Works well when the shaft is starting to get a little wear.
JIM
JIM
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: shrewsbury Pa.
That linkage seal is pretty easy to change. Remove the shifter linkage from the shaft that goes into the trans case, and with a small pick or screwdriver you should be able to remove that seal. If it doesn't come out easily that way, then you may need to drop the pan, disconnect the shaft on the inside, slide it out and then remove the seal so you don't scratch up the shaft or damage the case. It is a lip seal, lubricate the shaft and new seal and be careful when installing the new one not to damage the lip. Once you get it located and started, you can use an appropriate size socket to tap it into place. Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,117
From: Crossville TN
You should be able to "pop" the seal out pretty easily. Just get a small (3" or shorter) screwdriver or an icepick. Push the tip of the tool into the inner rubber area of the seal so that it goes through it and under the casing of the seal (just needs to be under the edge of the metal). Lay the shank of the tool down across the other side of the seal/pilot boss on the housing and use the heel of your hand to hit the handle on the tool. It will pop one side of the seal out of the bore and you can remove it. Just be sure that you don't do any damage to the OD of the shift selector shaft or the seal bore on the housing. Also, when you press the seal back in, make sure the housing bore is clean and dry [as you can make it] and press/tap it into place with the back side of a socket of approximately the same size as the seal. Push/pound it in straight down to flush with the housing. DO NOT **** THE SEAL AS YOU INSERT IT. Some folks put some Loctite sealer on the OD of the seal. If the casing on the seal appears to be painted, don't put sealer on it. That "paint" is the sealer.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 1
From: Collinsville MS
St. Jude Donor '08
I remembered reading this back in December, I went out and since my car was on jackstands, checked it, it was fine. Yesterday I am out there tighting up the header collectors and I get in the face by a drop of tranny fluid. Now its leaking, car hasnt moved.
Anyway, the link to the tool isnt finding the tool. Anyone know where I can buy this seal remover?
Anyway, the link to the tool isnt finding the tool. Anyone know where I can buy this seal remover?