Trans Output Shaft Seal
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
Trans Output Shaft Seal
Hey guys,
Here in TX it got super cold a few weeks ago (single digits @ night) and my rear output shaft seal started leaking (where the trans meets the diff). Well, now that it has warmed back up...no more leak. I am planning on changing the seal this weekend (if my service manuals come in). Since I don't have my manuals yet, I was curious if someone could point me in the right direction as to what parts I will need to order. Just the output shaft seal? Or is there anything else. I have read alot of links about this and found lots of good stuff! But I want to make sure I get all parts ordered and have everything I need prior to starting this job. This is my dd and I would like to get it done over the weekend (don't want to forget to order a part and have to wait for it to come in). I spoke w/the local dealership and he said I need the output shaft seal and an O-ring. Am I missing something? Do I need to get any sealer or anything else from the dealer while i'm there? Part #'s would be a great help if anyone has them handy!
Thanks for your input guys! Since you decided to stop in and read...for the people who have done this in the past, any tips for a 1st timer?
Oh yeah...99 a4 coupe.
Here in TX it got super cold a few weeks ago (single digits @ night) and my rear output shaft seal started leaking (where the trans meets the diff). Well, now that it has warmed back up...no more leak. I am planning on changing the seal this weekend (if my service manuals come in). Since I don't have my manuals yet, I was curious if someone could point me in the right direction as to what parts I will need to order. Just the output shaft seal? Or is there anything else. I have read alot of links about this and found lots of good stuff! But I want to make sure I get all parts ordered and have everything I need prior to starting this job. This is my dd and I would like to get it done over the weekend (don't want to forget to order a part and have to wait for it to come in). I spoke w/the local dealership and he said I need the output shaft seal and an O-ring. Am I missing something? Do I need to get any sealer or anything else from the dealer while i'm there? Part #'s would be a great help if anyone has them handy!
Thanks for your input guys! Since you decided to stop in and read...for the people who have done this in the past, any tips for a 1st timer?
Oh yeah...99 a4 coupe.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
Yup...Ive been doing alot of research about the procedure. It's going to be pretty labor intensive, but I have some help and am confident I can knock it out. I've just been getting conflicting info about what parts I need to get.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
Being your there in Texas, I would give LG Motorsporst a call & let them know what I was planning on doing. I'm sure they wouldn't mind giving you some tips & part #'s that you might need. I removed my diff & installed a different one by myself in the garage last spring. As you have, I too did a lot of research, before tackling. I have a manual trans, so the seal & oil ring that goes over the cover was not needed when doing my switch out. Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
Mike, thanks for the info. Your such an asset to the forum!!. Keep up the good work. I bought the H/Freight scissor jack which worked out great. I used my air impact to lift & lower it.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
Thanks Mike, I've read your post about this and it is one of the best write-ups available. So now that it has warmed back up here in TX the leak has stopped. I cleaned everything up over the weekend and have been watching for leaks and nothing..not a drop. I'm on the fence now about even doing the seal replacement. I know I will have to do it eventually, but it rarely gets as cold as it was when the leak started. Does anyone know if the seal or o-ring could rupture? Even if its not cold as hell.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 5
From: Syracuse New York
Don't replace the O-Ring unless your car has some serious miles on it. I have been advised from a GM tech to simply put a small bead of black stuff silicone around the o-ring to help make a seal that won't leak. This is what was advised for colder temps.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,490
Likes: 257
From: Lake Tapps WA.
Mine does that too when it's cold. (a little more often in western Washington) Is there any way to keep this from happening without taking it apart? Maybe trans leak stop? Don't really like the idea of a leak additive though.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 45,085
Likes: 1
From: I was a young troubadour when I rode in on a song, and I'll be an old troubadour when I'm gone.
St. Jude Donor '08
It's recently been cold here, and I've noticed a leak under the rear of my car as well.
I'm getting fluid puddling right on top of my rear spring, right in the middle of the car. Then, when I back out of the garage, it drips and makes an annoying track all through the driveway. I guess I have the same leak you've described here, right? Output shaft seal?
Our cold weather won't last long, so as long as I check fluid levels and keep them where they should be, I'm in no danger am I?
I'm getting fluid puddling right on top of my rear spring, right in the middle of the car. Then, when I back out of the garage, it drips and makes an annoying track all through the driveway. I guess I have the same leak you've described here, right? Output shaft seal?
Our cold weather won't last long, so as long as I check fluid levels and keep them where they should be, I'm in no danger am I?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
It's recently been cold here, and I've noticed a leak under the rear of my car as well.
I'm getting fluid puddling right on top of my rear spring, right in the middle of the car. Then, when I back out of the garage, it drips and makes an annoying track all through the driveway. I guess I have the same leak you've described here, right? Output shaft seal?
Our cold weather won't last long, so as long as I check fluid levels and keep them where they should be, I'm in no danger am I?
I'm getting fluid puddling right on top of my rear spring, right in the middle of the car. Then, when I back out of the garage, it drips and makes an annoying track all through the driveway. I guess I have the same leak you've described here, right? Output shaft seal?
Our cold weather won't last long, so as long as I check fluid levels and keep them where they should be, I'm in no danger am I?
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 321
Likes: 3
From: bloomington Indiana
Just change the output shaft seal. I didn't have to remove the seal plate so I have a "spare" ring seal. It's not round but has a square crossection. I think GM changed the elastomer used for the shaft seal to a more compliant compound to handle the colder weather. The retail cost of the seal was $40 or so.
