Help, Oil leak from trans axle

[ArashiShozen]

Ok, I have a 91, Toyota MR2, non turbo. Standard everything((besides obvious oil and filters)) except starter, belts, and alternator. I have known that my trans axle leaks, and i really need to get it fixed as gear oil isnt cheap. Anyways, after draining the oil out, i noticed i had about 5 ounces in the pan, before i started to add some. I added roughly 55-60 ounces back in the trans axle, so im not sure if its still leaking, or going through some over flow at the moment. as I did add some gear leak stop stuff in it as well. anyone know what could be the problem on why its leaking, and if so, what can i do to fix it? Id greatly appreciated it.

[TAZ]

probably a seal....
and they are quite the Bi@tch to replace..
this involves taking off your brakes, your tie rods, pulling out axles.
and then the best part getting all of it back in

[ArashiShozen]

Know anywhere that i can find instruction on how to do it? and it sounds like its going to be a long hassle all weekend job.,...

[TAZ]

google "mr2 bgb"
its your best friend
lots of use full information.
youll find everything step by step for completing this procedure on there.
I have done this twice before, i can do it in about 2-3 hours.
but if no experience maybe all-weekend
just have a friend handy when it comes to replacing the axles

[Gairloch]

1991 mr2 repair manual

With that much oil you should be able to see where it's going ...

[joe81]

sounds like a half shaft oil seal is leaking.

take off the wheel

disconnect the caliper carrier so not to open the brake pipe.cable tie it to the spring on the shock

take out the 2 bolts holding on the shock and the drop link.

pull down the bottom arm from the subframe side(this is the easiest way)

tie rod end from the subframe side also

if its the left hand side get a pry bar to pop out the driveshaft from the box

if its the right hand side you need to take out 3 14mm bolts holding on the carrier bearing then the shaft will just slide out

[ShackC]

You'll probably have to pry it out, use a rag against the tranny and the pry bar, maybe a heavy hammer with mid weight blows. Just for a tip, make sure you have all the proper tools/ parts in hand ready for the project it will make it a-lot nicer and easier to deal with.

[ArashiShozen]

Originally Posted by Gairloch

1991 mr2 repair manual

With that much oil you should be able to see where it's going ...

thanks for the link, and I have. Been watching it, but lately its been raining, so once i get to my car after school, i cant see anything. Today it was dry and i could tell its still leaking, though how much has, and how much is left, with how fast it is leaking I dont know...

[Gairloch]

Put a sheet of cardboard under it when you park it for the night. The amount of oil on it will give you an idea of how fast the leak is if you want to know.

[ArashiShozen]

I can normally see it on pavement when i park at school and stores and stuff.

[Gairloch]

Oh, another idea for you; you could get the tranny fluid level checked at most any rapid lube oil change place if you're concerned that it's running low.

[ArashiShozen]

thanks, me and my dad estimate that we can go two weeks before it starts getting too low for comfort. We also noticed while under the car that the from where the seal is leaking, it look liked someone had tryed to pry the shaft open right there. He took a small hammer and dinged it back and it slowed some of the leaking... we are also trying some leak seal, and seal stuff in it now. will this work, or are we just wasting our money?

[ShackC]

just unplug the fill port, that is also where you check the level, you should be able touch fluids when you put you finger in the hole. If not then no bueno.

The plug for the port looks just like the drain plug on the bottom of the tranny. the fill port is on the front of the tranny, about halfway up. Good sized plug.

[Gairloch]

Your taking your tranny into your own hands with that stuff. I wouldn't touch it but to each their own. As to whether it will work; time will tell. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't and sometimes it creates new problems.

[ShackC]

Wait, Arashi youre saying you have a hole in the actual housing or what?

[ShackC]

You may need to just buy a new tranny, be expensive for repairs. Those axles are a bit rough though, or atleast can be, they were for me, except i put a rag against the tranny like the BGB says.

[ArashiShozen]

Originally Posted by ShackC

Wait, Arashi youre saying you have a hole in the actual ousing or what?

I wouldnt say hole, just at the end where the seal is, it looked like someone pryed it open, my dad taped it back with a very small brass hammer and got it back in place, which helped slow the leak, but all you could see is the seal, as if they wanted to try to take the seal off beisde the right way. If i had a pic of it the way it was before i would post it, but i dont...

[ArashiShozen]

and the pryed part was part of the half axle, not the tranny... its where the half axle goes into the tranny where the seal is

[ArashiShozen]

Originally Posted by ShackC

just unplug the fill port, that is also where you check the level, you should be able touch fluids when you put you finger in the hole. If not then no bueno.

The plug for the port looks just like the drain plug on the bottom of the tranny. the fill port is on the front of the tranny, about halfway up. Good sized plug.

yea thats what I did last time to check it, but i need to know or find a palce that sells them. the orginal owner tryed to open up and rounded the edges off the bolt, so now i have to tap it out, and tap it back in untill i can find a place that seals them. the drainage bolt though is in good shape.

[ArashiShozen]

Originally Posted by Gairloch

Your taking your tranny into your own hands with that stuff. I wouldn't touch it but to each their own. As to whether it will work; time will tell. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't and sometimes it creates new problems.

all we did was tap where the metal had been taped out and taped it back where it needed to be, to cover the seal. it was on the half axle/shaft, going into the tranny, but just the outside casing? i guess i should say was tapped out, we could see the seal frm wher eit was leaking.