trans leak

[woodman1]

Is there a way to seal the trans shift rails? I'd hate to have to carry a drum of 90wt on trips.

[JackIIA]

If we're talking about the same thing...there are o-rings which fit around each of them. Should be pretty easy to replace. If you do, note there is a 'right way' to fit them (they are wedged shaped not just o-rings).

But do you get that much oil leaking from that point. It should be minimal.

[Terrys]

Jack, can I get you to do a few gearboxes for me? I think that job is the biggest PITA on the truck. There are some who claim you can take 5/8" heater hose, slice little rings, then slit them so they are no longer "rings", and slip the em over the selector shafts. I have a bunch of them around and just remember them as square cross-sectioned O rings, not wedge shaped. To do it right, you have to take the cover up (being careful to use your tiny magnet to get the detent balls out so they don't go into the case) roll the shafts and forks out, remove the forks from the shafts, slide the seals on, put the forks back on and then get the seal compression plates back on. There's a sequence for taking the forks out, trying to do it out of sequence is right near impossible. I spose if I did it more often I'd find it an ok job, but twice was seperated by a few years and I don't remember having lots of fun.

[SalemRover]

I just did the 5/8" heater hose install on my 109. I did not slit the rings though. I pulled and disassembled the forks, added the rings. Generous application of Hylomar on the top cover seal and silicone on the side springs. The selector forks still weep but only a little. I was happy with the results of that little endeavor.

-Jason

[Tim Smith]

A pretty poor picture but here is a comparison of the standard seal (right side) against the 5/8 hose (left side). It is a bit of a pain to get the shifting forks out to do it without slitting the o-ring, but I think it's worth it. When the 5/8 hose is in, you will find it a very tight fit when the top cover and front plates are installed. I think if you cut the o-ring, you might be asking for a little trouble down the road but I've yet to hear others complain about it.



Of course, don't let shipfitters disease take over if you just want to do this seal. Get in and get out before you end up with a complete jigsaw puzzle to put back together.

[Mercedesrover]

I did the heater hose thing years ago. The Rover O rings are crappy and never seal. Slit the hose and keep the slit at the top. Note one of the three is a touch smaller than the other two, but not enough to matter. Grease the pieces liberally when you install them. You might want to find a second retainer plate at the back of them as there is quite a bit more drag. It will be tight shifting for a week or two but will break in. You'll be happy with the results.

[JackIIA]

Ha! Terry, you clearly have a much better memory for the details than I. For better or worse, I'm a "fire and forget" kind of guy. I replaced them when I rebuilt my transmission, and so yes, I guess to do it right requires a bit more than lifting the cover as I was thinking. I still don't see how that much oil could really come out of those small openings. Hardly worth the effort it would seem.

[Terrys]

Hardly worth the effort it would seem.

I couldn't agree more. Helps to keep the trans xmember from rotting out too.