5 speed question

[lembaar]

Examing underneath my truck I noticed that my transmission is seeping a small amount of lubricant around the rear seal. Moisture collected on the underside of the transmission and it appeared damp. Checked level, and it is ok.



Based on experience - does this pass as "normal" or should I start planning a visit to the dealer?



My gut feeling is that a leaking seal is never "normal" but then, I've never had a "heavy duty" truck before and don't want to knee-jerk.

 

[mopars1]

Just keep an eye on the leak and if it does not get any worse it could be coming from between the seal case and the extension housing. If the leak is from the sealing surface to the driveshaft, I would have it replaced as it will get worse over time and you never know when it starts to leak badly enough to get your lube level down too low.

 

[boone]

I have the same problem and was wondering the same thing. Thanks for posting. I feel a bit better.

 

[rashwor]

Mine leaked too.

I just wanted to let you guys know, I had this same problem on my '99 5 speed at about 70,000 miles. I carried it in at 80,000 (fluid still was not real low) miles and had it fixed. In my case, it was the seal in the back of the transmission tail case (output shaft) that was leaking. It was a simple fix and the dealer (Mike Perry, Nacogdoches, TX) service department got it right. I currently have 91,000 miles on the truck and no leaks anywhere.



One bum mark for the dealer. Mike Perry is the same dealer that changed the fuel filter last time and ever since the truck will still sometimes turn over several times before it fires and roars to life.

 

[Todd T]

I think its more normal, than a leak.



this is the second transmission my truck has seen, and they both have leaked A LITTLE at the tailshaft.



(a 7mm socket decided to go AWOL from New Venture inside my first transmission)

 

[GDouglas]

I just had to change my extension housing seal yesterday for leakage at 25k miles. I also checked for any excess driveshaft yoke bushing wear and everything felt OK so just a seal replacement was in order. The only ones in town that had a seal was DC for $35. 00!



Even though I am still within my 36/36 bumper to bumper warranty, I would rather take care of the minor things myself rather than killing a whole day or two to have the dealer do it for free. Also, after being an ex-Ford master tech, only about 5 to 10 percent of the service department tecnicians actually know what the hell they are doing anyway and the smart ones are always the first to get into another line of work. Flat rate warranty pay for the tecnician really sucks whether it is a Ford, Chevy, or Dodge.



So, for those of you that know a particular dealer or technician personally that does good work on your truck, stick with them; they are really hard to find out there.

 

[John Berger]

I've had 3 tailshaft housing seals replaced under warranty. With the third seal, the yoke and u-joint were replaced, also. No more leaks, yet. A droplet hanging around back there is probably not good, but a moist appearance is normal, as I understand it. I've seen a bit on mine since the last replacement, usually after towing. There is a hole in that seal and it's there for a reason. A wipe of the finger and it's gone, never to come back... ... ... . until I tow again. Maybe.

 

[GDouglas]

The hole at the bottom is actually a hole in the dust seal part of the seal and acts as a telltale drain to let you know if the fluid part of the seal is leaking.



When installing a new one, make sure that this hole is at the bottom so it can serve its purpose. HTH.