I changed the axles in my car now I am having some transmission fluid leaking out.
I changed the front axles on both sides in my car. The drivers side went smooth sailing. When I took the passenger side out there was a shaft of some sort that came out with the axle. When I put the new on in the shaft seemed to slide back into place no problem and I finished installing the axle. A couple of days later I noticed that there was transmission fluid leaking out. I can not see the leak and the fluid is bright red not dirty. It seems like it is coming from the middle area in between the two axles. The car seems to drive fine…just need to figure out what that leak may be so I can g
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
There are spring loaded rubber seals that are pressed into a recess on each side of the aluminum differential case and through which the axle shaft rides. These seals must be replaced whenever the axles are replaced, otherwise transmission fluid leaks are likely. To access the seals and replace them the axles will have to be removed. Please note that the seals have to be placed squarely within the bore and that requires a seal installer. If the new seal is not installed such that the seal lip is perfectly perpendicular to the axle (i.e., not cocked in the bore), the new seal will leak as well. A special tool is required to pull the seals out. If you desire that new seals be placed by a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request axle shaft seal installation and the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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The most common cause of a leaking axle seal is improper axle installation or removal but the axle seal can also wear out over time. If you`re concerned that your axle seal might be leaking, here are a few things to look out for: Oil drops below your vehicle after it has been parked.
There are spring loaded rubber seals that are pressed into a recess on each side of the aluminum differential case and through which the axle shaft rides. These seals must be replaced whenever the axles are replaced, otherwise transmission fluid leaks are likely.
A common reason why your vehicle could be leaking is a gap in your transmission system. It`s very hard to narrow this down since it could be a space in the gasket, fluid lines, torque converter, seals or transmission pan. It is therefore advisable to consult the services of a professional mechanic.
When you pull the axle out of the differential or transmission, fluid may run out if the fluid level is above the axle seal. Make sure to catch the fluid, then top off the differential or transmission after you install the new axle.
One of the most common and probably most noticeable signs of a problem with one of the vehicle`s axle shaft seals is a puddle of fluid underneath the car. When the axle shaft seal fails, oil or transmission fluid can leak from the transmission or differential.
Faulty Transmission Pan or Gasket
The fuel pan gasket is the number one culprit if your vehicle`s transmission fluid leaks when your car is parked. Cars with automatic transmissions have a pan gasket designed to catch most fluids leaking from the engine.
A broken axle shaft will require a serious repair. If your axle shaft breaks, it can cause all sorts of problems for your transmission system.
Wrong Axle, Bad Engineering
If the axle is too long, it can cause the CV or plunge joint to bottom out and damage the surfaces of the balls, bearings and races. If it`s too short, the axle could pull out of the plunge joint under certain conditions.
Drive axles are crucial drivetrain components that connect a vehicle`s transmission to the vehicle`s wheels. Axle shafts are primarily responsible for transferring the transmission`s rotational force and power to make the vehicle move.
The CV axle shaft seal is a rubber or metal seal that is located where a vehicle`s CV axle meets the transmission, differential, or transfer case. It prevents fluid from leaking out of the transmission or differential housing as the CV axle rotates when the vehicle is in motion.
The most common cause of a leaking axle seal is it improper axle installation or removal. In addition, the axle seal can wear out over time, which can cause it to leak. A leaking axle seal may be covered by your vehicle`s Powertrain Warranty, so check your car`s brochure to see if this is the case.
The axle shaft seal is not a moving part, but it is always working. Its job is simply to stay in place and prevent fluid leaks. Barring contamination, it could conceivably last you the life of your vehicle. It requires no maintenance, and only needs to be replaced if it becomes damaged.
An axle seal leaks more during highway driving, so the oil drops on the driveway may not always be present. As more fluid is leaked out, the transmission fluid level drops and the transmission will start slipping. If not caught in time, the transmission may even get permanently damaged.
Broken Seals
Your vehicle`s transmission has a series of seals that maintain the hydraulic pressure the transmission needs to function. These seals wear down over time and fluid will leak from the driveshaft, input shaft, output shaft, or from other transmission parts depending on where the worn seal is located.
When the torque converter starts malfunctioning, you may feel shuddering and even slipping in overdrive. You usually notice your car shuddering because it feels like it`s vibrating. Your car will vibrate even when you`re not going very fast. The shuddering makes the car lag and is very noticeable.
The torque converter pushes the transmission oil throughout the transmission. It`s basically a pump, and if this pump develops a crack, you`ll end up with a transmission leak. The needle bearings inside the torque converter can also get damaged and this, too, will cause a transmission fluid leak under your car.
A transmission leak occurs when the transmission pan becomes punctured. It may also occur due to loose bolts or drain plugs. A leak will occur quickly if you drive on rough terrain and a big rock – or some other hard object – hits the transmission pan.
Torque Converter Leaks
Torque converters propel the transmission fluid into the transmission. If it has a crack or has a faulty seal, or if the needle bearings are damaged, it will leak. Again, this is something that can happen with normal wear and tear of the vehicle.
For example, gearbox oil seals (apart from the extension-housing seal on rear-wheel-drive cars) can be replaced only with the gearbox removed – a task best left to a garage. However, the seals on the rear axle and final drive should all be possible to replace fairly easily, although special tools may be necessary.
If your car has been parked for several days, and, when you move it, you notice fresh drops or a puddle of fluid in your garage or on your driveway, you could be losing transmission fluid. Most cars have several different types of fluids, so it`s important to try and determine where the leak is coming from.
Transmission fluid leaks will usually be reddish brown in color with a thin viscosity (new fluid) or brown with a thicker viscosity (old fluid). These leaks will typically be found near your car`s middle section.
Adding a bottle of one One Seal Stop Leak or Transmission Seal Stop Leak products is often all it takes to seal your leak. Then all you have to do is check your transmission fluid level.
If you drive a car with a damaged CV, the joint will disintegrate further, making driving impossible. You`ll not be able to control the vehicle and may get involved in an accident.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
I changed the axles in my car now I am having some transmission fluid leaking out.
ANSWER : There are spring loaded rubber seals that are pressed into a recess on each side of the aluminum differential case and through which the axle shaft rides. These seals must be replaced whenever the axles are replaced, otherwise transmission fluid leaks are likely. To access the seals and replace them the axles will have to be removed. Please note that the seals have to be placed squarely within the bore and that requires a seal installer. If the new seal is not installed such that the seal lip is perfectly perpendicular to the axle (i.e., not cocked in the bore), the new seal will leak as well. A special tool is required to pull the seals out. If you desire that new seals be placed by a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request axle shaft seal installation and the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
My car is leaking transmission fluid – I can’t diagnose the leak
ANSWER : Based on the NHTSA database covering consumer complaints, as well as government mandated recalls and factory service bulletins, for your specific year, make and model, I do not see evidence of widespread complaints about transmission fluid leaks. Such leaks are, in fact, common in transmissions made by any car company, particularly if the transmission is older than say 10 years. There is a manual shaft seal, oil pan gasket, output shaft seals, case seals, torque converter seal (inaccessible) and so forth all of which are potential leak points on your transmission.
If you want to identify and resolve these leaks, certainly a certified Mechanic from YourMechanic could come out and perform a transmission leak inspection and let you know where the leak points are and what it will cost to resolve them.
New cars don’t have transmission fluid dipsticks Transmission fluid changing
ANSWER : That’s a very good question. The reason they have gone with no dipsticks is because they don’t want people messing with transmissions other there at the dealership. Some cars went through that a couple of decades ago. They make it a very involved, convoluted process all through, in order to change the fluid on these modern cars. They have special adapters you have to put. Some of them have to have scan computers in order to read the data and what’s in there, and then be able to change it. A lot of these companies claim that this new fluid is the "lifetime" fluid.
Most new use synthetic fluid can last a long time but any fluid is going to get dirty and wear out over time. I would change it at least every 80,000 – 100,000 miles but if you’ve got one that is really hard to change, you are better off hiring a mechanic to do it.
On some of the cars, it would be too hard for the do-it-yourself because of all that equipment you need. The professional mechanics already have that. Just call any good mechanic, like one from YourMechanic, and they will be able to perform a transmission fluid service for you.
is it safe to change Transmission Fluid. Hasn’t been changed in a long time. Currently the Transmission is working fine; no slip
ANSWER : I agree with the other mechanic. If the fluid looks dirty then this means the transmission was not serviced for a long time and if you service it then the new fluid will wash out all the clutch material that is being held together by the old fluid. You would be taking a big chance that the transmission will start slipping within a week after you service it.
A 75-point safety inspection is a good idea after long-term storage, and a qualified technician from YourMechanic can perform this for you at your home or office.
There is automatic transmission fluid in a manual transmission. Is it okay to leave or do I need manual transmission fluid?
ANSWER : This would depend on what the manufacturer recommends. Many manual transmissions do take automatic transmission fluid. If your transmission has ATF in it, it is very likely that it is supposed to have that in there. If not, it is likely that the transmission would not function properly with the wrong fluid. Many manual transmissions will also take engine oil as a lubricant. The best way to know for sure is to check your owner’s manual or call your local General Motors dealership to inquire.
Do I need to get the transfer case fluid and transmission fluid changed?
ANSWER : Hi, thanks for writing in. I looked at your maintenance schedule for your vehicle and found that for up to 150,000 miles, it only says to inspect the fluid level and not change it. The fluids are special fluids and if you did need any work done (i.e. if there is a leak present or other mechanical problem) then make sure the correct Ford certified fluid is used.
When it is time for you to have your transmission fluid serviced, consider having a certified automotive technician from YourMechanic come to your home or office to perform the service for you.
Hope this helps and best of luck!
I went to change the passenger side axle of my 2003 L300 3.0 and got the axle to find out the one in the car was not the same at
ANSWER : If you are not the original owner of the vehicle, it’s possible an engine or transmission swap was performed before you purchased the vehicle. Whether this is the case or not, have your parts source check listings for a couple of years before and after 2003 models to see if there is a difference. If for some reason that doesn’t work out, then you may have to rebuild the existing one. If your parts source cannot find the correct axle, ask them if they know of any local driveshaft rebuilders. I just tried a search for "driveshaft rebuilders" and a couple popped up in my area as well as several in other cities around the country.
Should I change the transmission fluid?
ANSWER : Generally, when the transmission fluid turns a brown color, it has been broken down and is no longer providing the protection needed for the transmission. As you know, the transmission fluid is designed to provide lubrication, protection and hydraulic pressure. As it breaks down over time, it may lose these qualities and lessen the effect on the transmission potentially resulting in transmission problems. I would recommend having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to perform a transmission fluid service.
