Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) BD short shift troubles???

[Nickaru]

I recently installed a BD short shift in my six speed trans. It's nice, but the first time out, I had an oil leak coming from the shifter housing. After disassembling everything on top, cleaning off all the oil, I proceeded to use silicone sealer liberally, like it was from the factory. That seemed to work for awhile. This weekend, I noticed an oil leak under my truck and seems to be the shifter housing again! Anyone else have this leak trouble? The last time my truck was used was about two weeks ago, towing our tow hauler on a trip. Since then, it's been sitting. :{

 

[darkhorse]

I never had any trouble with mine but one fellow I know said he needed to re tighten the bolts after a few days.

 

[Mad Bomber]

leak

Sounds like you did not get it all the way around or missed a spot. I did mine and did both sides of the spacer and around the bolt holes all the way. BTW the 1st time I had a leaker too had to redo and fine ever since

 

[Nickaru]

I used plenty of RTV the second time around and it seemed to hold for a few hundred miles. When I checked it tonight, the bolts were tight and I can't tell where it's leaking. Seems like a mist all the way around, enough to leak down both sides of the trans and puddle on the floor. As if the trans is getting pressurized and blowing out the top. I'll have to check for a vent.

 

[KYLE4]

Yah I can't say I ever had anyone call me and complain after a install

 

[johnrv4]

Mine didn't leak, but I could see where it could

Mine didn't leak, but I could see where a potential leak could develop under the plastic shift tower. Because the tower is compressed down on the rubber seal/gasket, my tower had actually warped down on each corner where the bushings/ bolts secure it. I measured the tower, and the sealing surface was warped . 040". The RTV should be able to seal this, but I took mine to a belt sander and made it flat again first. I put it together, and no leaks developed.

 

[darkhorse]

Mine didn't leak, but I could see where a potential leak could develop under the plastic shift tower.



Plastic . Mine is a nice blue anodized aluminum piece.

 

[johnrv4]

My BD short-shifter came with an aluminum spacer block, but the stock shift tower that bolts on top of it (on the stock transmission) is grey plastic . The stock arrangement has the plastic tower sealing to a rubber isolator/block. With the short-shifter kit, the instructions say to put the aluminum block on top of the rubber isolator/block, then put the plastic shift tower on top of the aluminum block. That's where the gap was due to the warped plastic tower. I think a better arrangement might be the aluminum block on the transmission, THEN the rubber isolator, then the shift tower... Just my opinion. .

 

[SConklin]

Mine leaked very bad. To the point where it drained almost all my fluid while on the road. I re-tightened it and re-sealed it with RTV twice, and it still leaked.

I had to pull it all back apart, thoroughly clean everything, especially the bolt holes. I bought a roll of cork gasket material, and traced the outlines. I made gaskets for all of it, and put locktight on all the bolts, and tightened them down really well. Then I let it all dry and seal overnight.

It seems to be sealed fine now. No more leaks.



Skyler

 

[Nickaru]

Thanks for all the info. I put everything back to stock because we are going out of town with the trailer this weekend and didn't need any troubles. Seems to be leak free with the stocker back in there. I will re attempt this shifeter install when I do my new clutch sometime at the beginning of the year. (I already miss that tight shift pattern, now with stock, it feels real sloppy)