The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Trans gear oil leak

The 51 1/2 ton is getting to be a bit of a pain. I'm having to add a bunch of gear oil every week now, and don't know much about transmissions. It leaks onto the pan that I had to put on the floor of the garage.

I'm getting ready to find a shop to play with the clutch as long as they'll teach me and I get to watch, because it's grinding pretty good, and the adjustments I've made haven't worked all that well. I figure maybe we can fix the leakage issue also.

Any ideas? (please explain so a bonehead can understand)Thanks!

Is it original?
3 speed or 4 speed?
Have you cleaned it up to see whether it is coming from the front, rear, side, or all 3?
Are you willing to get your hands dirty?

Paul

Hey Paul, it's a 3 speed, but not sure if it's original or not. I bought it partially restored, and have got it 99%, but the whole underside is going to get pressure washed before long, probably before the clutch work. I know so little about transmissions, I didn't know it could leak from so many areas. Guess I was hoping there was something relatively common that causes leaks on these trucks.

If it's original it will look like the picture below. One of the most common areas of leakage is the rear where the "torque tube ball mount" is. That's the round ball that covers the universal joint. There are two seals and one gasket in this area that wear and can/will leak.

It's fairly simple and inexpensive to replace these if you take your time. Would require hand tools and a floor jack to raise the torque tube.

Your best approach would be to get the whole area clean so that you can see where the leaks are. If they are going to work on the clutch then they will most likely have to take the transmission out. There is a requirement to "adjust" the fit of the torque tube ball joint with the number of shims (gaskets) installed. The shop should be made aware of this - you do have a shop manual?!!

If you decide to tackle this I'm sure we can walk you through it.

[img]http://www.whcinc.com/images/P8140005.JPG[/img]

I tried to find a mechanic who would do my trans removal and replacement. They are so involved with computer-ized cars they had no clue. I bit the bullet, read the shop manual and one day without thinking twice about it I pulled it all apart. That was the easy part-always is! Then with some thought and examination I started to put it all back after I rebuilt it. With some thought and an "I can do it" attitude, it all went together perfectly. It is not rocket science and you can do it too. In the past a lot of repairs were done by owners in the field, just think of that!