Front trans seal, a DYI job?

[Hank]

Has anyone replaced their front trans seal? Is it a DIY type of job? I just do not trust shops on seal jobs for fear they try to sell you on the panic factor... I've done engine seals, this would be my first tranny job.

Auto A4LD

Thanks
hg

Details of disaster at (page 5)

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=26327

 

[jimbo74]

if it is what i think it is you need to go to a shop unless you have a shop at your disposal to use

 

[Hank]

According to the manual, dropping the tranny is not that big of a deal. I'll need to go out and get a tranny plate adapter for my floor jack. The only concern I have is if there is any tricks or tools required when pulling the torque converter and or the seal.

If there are any trans experts or brave souls who have done this before out there, I would appreciate any experienced input.

Best regards.
hg

 

[kojak]

Shouldn't be that big a deal but I would also replace the rear engine seal while you are at it.

 

[Hank]

Interesting you mention that as the dealer just replaced the rear main two weeks before the used car warranty expired. Funny, I guess they did not notice the leaking tranny. Guess he had his back to it.

I was thinking about doing all the tranny seals and filter while I had it down. Any other thoughts on what else I should replace or upgrade while the tranny is down?

Any tricks or tools required for the torque converter? Any watch outs or don't do's would be appreciated.

Thanks
hg

 

[mdrut]

Hank, I've done it before to Mine...No big deal, just need a good floor jack..Let me know if you need any info or help..

 

[Hank]

Mdrut,

When you had yours down, did you replace any of the other seals? AutoZone has stock on most everything and for an average price of $8.00 ea I can't justify paying a shop. I'll probably do the filter also.

Any problems using a floor jack or did you get a tranny adapter plate for yours?

Thanks
hg

 

[mdrut]

Front seal, filter, and fluid..cut a piece of 2x6 and bolted to the jack in plce of the head..Not to tuff..just remember to unbolt the torque converter first and make sure it is all the way back when you reinstall..Let me know if you need any further info..

 

[Hank]

Thanks for the reply.

Looks like Northern tool has an adapter plate for 45 and an jack/trolly for 65. As I am a tool fiend I might get the trolly.

Last question on the front seal. It is just the standard pry out and press in seal correct? I have heard of some older trannys having inner and outer shaft seals that requrie dissasembly.

Was the filter a standard pop out press in also?

After looking through the Summit catalog I am also eyeing the large combo oil and trans cooler plus the external transmission filter.


Thanks again. Sorry I missed bubbas.

hg

 

[mdrut]

All the standard stuff..Sounds like you won't have any trouble...Good luck..See you at the mine

 

[Hank]

Ok, I'm going for it starting Tuesday AM!

Will round up the parts tonight after work. Hopefully Northern-Tool has the trans jack as it would make life much easier.

I don't think I am going to get the combo oil/trans cooler from Summit as the factory cooler is surprisingly larger. I'll probably add an oil cooler at a later date. Summit has a remote trans filter with an electric temp gauge that I am eyeing. It goes in-line with the cooler plumbing and is nothing more than a remote Oil filter setup. With the gauge it is $74.00, without is $29.00. I need to ponder for a few hours if the gauge is going to be worth the extra cash after factoring in the cost of the tow, other parts and materials.


(04/02/00 12:05 Update)

I picked up the front seal, rear seal, pan gasket, filter and case of trans oil from AutoZone this am. Northern has a 450lb Scissor Lift Transmission Jack/Dolly on hold for me to pick up this afternoon. Check their web site at www.northerntool.com (item#14451) Well worth the $65.00. Summit racing is shipping their external transmission filter kit via overnight freight. In theory I should have everything in place for Tuesday AM. Will keep you posted.....

Thanks again.
hg

 

[Hank]

Forgive me for I have failed, I am scum....

I got bushwacked by the top three bolts on the bell housing. Ended up snaping the head off of a breaker bar, a wobble socket and a couple of sockets. Lots of blood and one cut that should have stitches.. Now I have to go track down a snap-on truck for an exchange.

I need to break down and get some more 1/2" drive tools. I did not have a large enough extension and a big enough breaker bar to use 1/2" and was stuck with 3/8". That and an air compressor. (Now I could kick myself in the rear for turning all my airtools in for credit on the tool truck when I got out of the business.) Oh well, time to buy more, one can never have enough tools.

On the bright side while I was into it I replaced the filter and gasket. (The dealer claims they did it when I bought it, no way in hell after looking at it!!) I ran out of paitence and time as I need my truck on Thursday so I dropped her off at a shop tonight. With the new fluid and filter she was shifting so smooth, it was great. Can't tell anything is wrong with the tranny with the exception of the trail of fluid drips..

We'll see if the shop tries to rip me off, I already talked to him about what is wrong. They do have a good local rep.

I still say the job is a DIY, just get some heavy line tools in advance. I feel sick having to pay 420.00 to have an $8.00 seal installed. But it is a hell of a lot of work. One day when I am bored I might drop the tranny just to prove I can do it.

Best regards.
hg

 

[mdrut]

bEEN THERE BUDDY..I also have tools out the ying-yang..But while putting my coils on a couple of weeks ago, I had to run out and buy a 1 1/8 deepwell 3/4 drive socket...Some times life just sucks..Heal up soon, we got some wheeling to do in June..

 

[Hank]

Well I just got the call from the shop. Tranny is in fine shape but for an extra $100 they are going to reseal everything else. For safety I'll go with the captive audience theory. If he is ripping me off he is pocketing an extra $100. If I decline and another seal fails then I am out another $420.00.

To preserve the life of this thing I am installing an in-line filter and temp gauge plus a tertiary cooler over the next couple of weeks. Probably going to add the Summit combo oil/trans cooler in addition to the factory cooler. This will also get me oil cooling and a spot to add a secondary oil filter.

On the bright side I should be able to make it to Bubbas or the Mine one day...

hg

 

[Hank]

Closing Comments

Picked up the beast last night and I've put about 60 miles on it. So far no leaks and transmission performance is far better than it has ever been.

Although the seal replacement will have some inprovement on performance as pressure is maintained. I think the real issue it that, between the break down, moving the truck around, the first repair attempt, driving the truck to the shop and the shop fixing the trans, there has been at least 15 quarts of new fluid pushed through the trans thus flushing the system of all the old oil.

One interesting observation was that on the box for the new pan gasket and filter it said to replace every 10000 miles. That is well below the manu. specs.

I guess the bottom line is to change the fluid more frequently. A small investment compared to a rebuilt trans.. (This also confirms that the dealer never did the trans service on the beast as they claimed they did when I bought it.)

Will let you know how the external filter and third cooler works out.

hg