pityocamptes

1998 Honda Civic EX with 93K miles on it. Long story short, is it started leaking after I replaced the half shaft seal and axle on the driver side. Didn't want to replace it again myself, cold outside and feeling sick, so I took it in. I thought at first it was the rear main seal, but they told me the Honda seals usually blow before dripping.

Anyways, took it in, and after putting dye in the oil, and pulling the exhaust and stuff, they looked up into the bell housing and said it was bone dry. They indicated that the seal was leaking on the half shaft, driver side. So they replaced the seal. It still leaked. So I took it back and they replaced the seal again. It still leaks. Took it back again and they replaced the seal and suggested that I replace the new after market axle with another one.

So they did that, and now its still leaking!!!

I checked the oil, since they replaced it, and it was filled way over, so I changed it out again according to specs. I also drained and replaced the transmission (auto) fluid with honda fluid.

The spots are small, right beneath on the tranny beneath the half shaft and shift linkeage area. It does not look pink but fresh oil.

I checked on top and nothing is leaking, neither is the pan, everything is tight.

When I spoke to them last they said if it leaked again, bring it back and they will try an OEM shaft and seal as that might be the reason.

I don't know where to go from here. I can't keep throwing money at this thing.

Thoughts? Thanks.

pityocamptes

The work is warranted for 1 year. I'm thinking of buying a new HONDA seal and taking it back in. Is there really that much of a difference between a HONDA seal and aftermarket? They keep swearing its NOT the rear main...

pityocamptes

Also, when I changed the transmission fluid there was quite a bit of this metal paste looking stuff on the magnetic bolt. Not sure what that was. Tranny shifts fine and smooth though. Thoughts, related issue? Thanks.

WSA

We do not know what "aftermarket" seals you are using, they could be of poor quality. The seals are cheap from honda I always use OEM seals. The rear main seal would not leak onto the shift linkage. The rear main seal is inside the bell housing of the transmission, if the rear main seal was leaking you would see oil coming out of the transmission where it meets the block. Also You said they put dye in the "oil". They did not put it in the oil they put it in the transmission fluid. The rear main seal would leak "oil" from the motor. The Axle seals will leak Transmission Fluid.

pityocamptes

OK. So is the paste looking crap on the tranny plug semi normal? It has been a few years since I changed the tranny fluid out. It shifts great, and no issues on the auto tranny. The tech at the shop said that there was no free play in the axle shafts, so he ruled out a bad diff. Not sure what I should do at this point? Get an OEM seal and take it back, and cross my fingers? Thanks. Also, the seal was from O'Reilly Auto Parts.

pityocamptes

Called Honda parts and they said that they cant even get the OEM axle and suggested NAPA or BAP imports. Do you think these would be better quality than an O'Reilly NEW axle? Thoughts? I'm going to be picking up a new OEM seal today and hopefully take it back Monday for fixing. Thanks.

WSA

If I am remembering correctly the tranny plug is magnetic. Probably a cominations of very small metal shavings and some fluid sludge. I would try the OEM seal it is deffinately worth a try. I would also look to make sure the axle is fully inserted into the tranny. I have seen where the snap ring on the axle gets jammed and the axle does not seat all the way. It would still be drivable but maybe cause leaking?

pityocamptes

Any write ups or instructions on how to change out the shift shaft seal on a 1998 honda civic ex with AT? Thinking maybe that is my leaking issue and not the cv shaft and seal. Thanks.

pityocamptes

I don't really want to spend anymore cash, since the aftermarket axle job cost me a left nut with a mechanic. Still leaking. I am wondering what the concensus is around here. Is it better to have an aftermarket seal and axle or aftermarket axle and OEM seal? I know OEM all the way around is best, but to tell you truthfully I have NEVER had an issue in the past with an aftermarket axle (seal was original at the time and OEM). Hmmm, that big a difference between aftermarket seals and OEM? Thanks.

Emeraldbomber

When I had my aftermarket axle it was about an 1/8th shorter than the oem

pityocamptes

Did that make it leak and or make a difference? Any ideas where to get a dirt cheap OEM axle from? Thanks.

furious94ls

Use OEM seals/gaskets always. As far as the axle, get an OEM rebuild. Search online.

furious94ls

Are you leaking oil or ATF? if you are leaking oil it has nothing to do with your axle.

pityocamptes

The tech swears up and down it is the tranny. I know it DID NOT start leaking until I replaced the cv shaft. I ended up getting ANOTHER cv shaft from O'reilly (under warranty) that the shop installed again. I may just go with a company called BAP imports - little more than O'reilly auto, but when I was at honda the other day the parts guy said they can't get cv shafts for 98 civics, and if they could it will cost $$$$$, he said they use BAP and they are just as good as OEM.

I wonder what the chances are of an aftermarket part from O'reilly (axle and seal) being crap twice over??

pityocamptes

Furious what are your thoughts on this: when I was in the honda parts center the other day I inquired about a half shaft and the parts guy said they were very hard to get through honda and that if they could it would cost a left nut. He recommended an import store locally and said get one from them, that they actually use them when they need half shaft replacement. So, given that, should I take the chance and get the cv shaft locally (NEW) or order online a remand OEM?

I will defintely pick up an OEM seal today. Thanks.

strategy400

The fine black filings on the magnetic plug are normal clutch pack wear. Clean it off and reinstall the plug, don't worry about it. My car is starting to seep transmission fluid right where you describe after 300k miles. As long as the fluid level isn't dropping and it's not making a mess on the driveway I'm not going to worry too much about it.
there is likely a seal around the shift shaft and there is a seal and o-ring on the transmission input shaft. If they say the bellhousing is dry inside and you believe them, then maybe you should rule out that shift shaft (control shaft) seal before attempting a halfshaft seal again.

94EG8

Get an OEM seal. An aftermarket axle is fine though. I always had great luck with Fenco axles as far as D-series axles went.

Check the differential when you have the axle out, see if it moves up and down. If you have a bad diff bearing no amount of axles and seals will prevent a leak. Also check the axle for any burs or scoring where the seal runs on it.

D-series manual transmissions use 10W30 oil or Honda MTF (which looks a lot like oil when it's dirty)

Former User

Three related threads merged.

alphalanos

also just fyi i have bought honda axles with the outer joint as an assembly. the inner one was separate. i ordered them from majestic honda. they were pretty expensive $250 for each "half axle"

pityocamptes

Need some advice, money is a little tight. I bought the honda driver side seal today. Talked to the parts counter guy and he said that they use a local import part store for all their used car (certified) vehicles. I asked him the difference between Autozone and O'reilly parts versus this import store, and he said that the import store gets all thier stuff from japan, not china and are up to honda specs.

The axle at the import store is 80 bucks vs majestic of 150 plus whatever shipping. So, should I go with the import store if the honda parts guys are telling me that that is what they use at times? Thoughts? Thanks.

He did say that the stuff at autozone and o'reilly is absolute CRAP... cheap Chinese knock offs...

94EG8

If they use a lot of them, and they seem to work for them with no issues I'd probably try it.

pityocamptes

Oh, also which side is the driver side considered - Left or Right?

94EG8

Left.

tlarimer

iTrader: (3)

My 99 Lx is doing the samething after non oem drivers/left axle replacement. Replaced original oem axle seal with oem, but it was only part of the leak. After 270K miles it appears all my AT trans seals are starting to fail. I am 99% certain my input shaft seal is leaking now.

I plan on replacing all original seals on the entire engine/trans assemblies with oem seals when I do the waterpump/timing belt next month.

I have had great luck with NAPA brand rebuilt axles for B/D series engines over the years. But always, always, always use oem seals/gaskets, they are cheap, readily available and I have never had a a problem after installing oem replacement parts.

furious94ls

He stated in his first post he had an AUTO tranny. So again, if this car is leaking OIL it has nothing to do with his axles. If it is indeed RED auto trans fluid then we can start giving advice on that. Honestly an OEM seal should solve the problem, unless there is other damage.

If it's oil, buy the dye and see exaclty where it's coming from and stop wasting money on axles and axle seals.