Transmission leaking from rear

[fastmonkeywheels]

So my T5 is leaking from the rear in the SVO. The T5 is from a 90's 2.3 N/A if that makes any difference, being WC and all.

Please explain what needs replaced and if it can be replaced without removing the tail housing. I figure there's a seal, something about a metal bushing and a dust cover...this is all speculation from reading other topics. I haven't been down there to inspect it myself yet.

[Pat_in_L.A.]

A visual inspection will be necessary. It's most likely the rear trans seal where the slip yoke slides in, which can be replaced in the car after removing the driveshaft. The bushing is inside the housing behind the seal. Some trans shops may have a tool to replace it in the car after the old seal somes out, but it is not likely to be the cause of the leak unless there is so much clearance that it took out the seal.

[fastmonkeywheels]

The transmission didn't leak when the drive train was in my 78 Mustang II, it started after being put into the SVO. Before putting the drive shaft in I used high grit sand paper to clean the yolk. However, the previous owner left the pinion nut off of the 7.5 and it vibrated like a SOB. At first I thought the pinion bearing was toast so I tossed an 8.8 w/3.55 gears into it. After removing the 7.5 we realized the nut wasn't there.

It's after all of this that it started leaking, that's why I was curious about the bushing. If the bushing is toast I should be able to remove the tail shaft housing and take that into a shop, right? Over on TF (I searched there after here) someone said you can rent the tool from Autozone. I'm trying to do this as cheap as possible, while still doing it right.

[Pat_in_L.A.]

If the bushing is toast I should be able to remove the tail shaft housing and take that into a shop, right?

It's not necessary to remove it from the car if the proper puller is available. It's a lot less work to find a trans shop that has the puller and just have them replace it right on the car. It's probably not junk anyways. There should be several thousandths of clearance (guessing .003-.006?) in the bushing anyways.

[fastmonkeywheels]

I'll swap out the seal then and see how it works. What do I ask for (part number?) since I couldn't find it on Autozone's web site looking for "transmission seal".

[caroth]

There are two types of seals to be found at the parts stores. The CSK partsamerica.com site shows a part number of 14978 for the rear seal. If you go in to Advanced Auto or Checker, they also list a seal for the tremec transmission that has the longer seal like the one in this picture:

http://www.partsamerica.com/product_images/img/skf/14652.jpg

I have always found a stock throttle body to be the best seal installer. Finally a use for a stock throttle body, it fits the seal perfectly, wack it a couple of times with a dead blow, and the seal is installed.

[fastmonkeywheels]

Thanks for that info Chris. Can I use the longer Tremec seal on a WC T5? Any benefit to using a regular length over the longer one?

[caroth]

I used the longer Tremec seal in my SVO. I don't know if there is a benefit, but it has that "reservoir" for excess fluid, kind of a catch can.

Chris