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| | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 899 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 899 | I have a leak I can't seem to resolve where the torque tube meets the U-joint bell. I have a new gasket/packing and the two washers that sandwich it around the torque tube(shop manual, chap 4, fig 76)but I still get drips at the rear of the bell's screw-on retainer. The leak is at the gasket/packing and not from the retainer threads. The retainer is very tight. I'm using 80W-90 tranny oil. Is this leak just the nature of the beast?
Ed
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | Ed, Different terms mean different things to different people. Please check the diagram at the bottom of this page. Is your leak near part 5.580 or near part 5.572? If the leak is near part 5.572, did you follow the Shop Manual procedure for determining how many shims/paper-gaskets were needed between the universal joint ball/bell collar (5.565) and the transmission? Tim | | | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 899 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 899 | Tim
Leak is near part 5.580
Ed
Ed
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | Ed,
Do you have a cylindrical rubber seal (square edges) or an o-ring seal (round cross section)?
Is there a large flat washer on one side (or, maybe, on both sides) of the seal?
Was the outer surface of the torque tube clean and smooth where the seal/cap/collar covers the tube?
Tim
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 899 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 899 | Tim,
I have the cylindrical seal with 2 flat washers(one on each side). Haven't seen anything on a O-ring seal, the kit I used is from Fel Pro. The torque tube is clean and smooth. Guess this is not a widespread problem since you're the only one posting. Think the tranny oil might be too light?
Ed
Ed
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 |
Ed,
Sounds like you have it installed correctly.
I asked about the o-ring style seal because some people on this site have recommended it. I have never used anything but an original-style seal like yours.
There is a very small leak at the u-joint housing rear-seal on my Suburban. It's just a small drip that I put up with (if they are not dripping a little, they must be out of lubricant").
If you have a 85 or 90 weight transmission oil, that's about right.
Tim
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 899 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 899 | Tim
Thanks for the input....just nature of the beast I guess. It is just a small leak and I can live with it.
Ed
Ed
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 29 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 29 | I totally agree mine leaks a little on the garage floor from the same spot. I have a catch pan under it and it only seems to drip a small amount right after I park it. I too can live with it | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,953 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,953 | I had a small leak there as well but put plumber's tape on the threads on the housing where that collar screws on. Good now. | | |
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