aaronfelipe

I am in the process of swapping out my axles due to vibration under acceleration. I was able to swap the drivers side without any major problems. I had a tough time prying the passenger axle out. It was significantly harder than it was to do the other side. When it popped off, oil started leaking from the seal on the transmission. As a side note, the retaining clip was still in the old axle. I went ahead and drained the tranny so I wouldn't make a mess from this. I figured I probably damaged the seal with the pry bar. I went out and got another seal. Same diameter inside and outside etc.. I put it in and tapped it all the way around a few times with a hammer and a blunt chizzle so I wouldn't compromise the integrity of this new seal. I went ahead and filled the transmission until it was coming out of the "fill" hole. I noticed that oil is STILL wheeping from BEHIND the new Output Shaft Seal. It is dripping about one drop every five to ten seconds. My question is, will popping the axle in place seal it and stop my leak? My second concern is that I am having a very difficult time popping the new one in place. Yes, the splines are the same size. It will go in about an inch and stop. I was not able to pop it in and I really don't want to hammer it in. I have searched online and read tactics but nothing has helped me thus far. I don't understand why this side is so much more difficult. I hate the fact that I made an oil mess in the garage. Again, all help is appreciated as I have not been able to find the right answers to my questions. Maybe I have been looking in the wrong places.




-Aaron

Evs-One

If the car is level, the bottom of the axle hole is just about the same level as the fill hole. If you remove the axle on a flat surface, you shouldn't drip any fluid at all, but it sounds like you are on an incline(stands or something).

The retaining clip is part of the axle.

If it is the right axle, use the shaft as sort of a ram rod, and pop it in. You'll be fine.

aaronfelipe

The car was level on jack stands when I filled it up and I was getting a slow drip. The dripping sped (a little bit) up when I lowered the back of the car and left the front up. Shouldn't the output shaft seal seal the transmission to where it doesn't drip from where the axle is located? Isn't that the whole point of a seal? I might be wrong on this one.

I mentioned the retaining clip because from the search that I have done, that has mostly always been the first question. I wanted to clarify that it did come out.

I have pressed on this axle as hard as my arms will allow me. I put a 2x4 on my chest and basically pushed my whole body in and that still didn't work for me.

The main thing is knowing wether it is ok for the seal to leak with the axle off. With that in mind, I have to either change the seal or proceed with a new one.

Evs-One

Are you saying it's leaking between the mating surfaces of the seal and the trans case>? If so, then yes, that isn't right.
It's possible you damaged the trans casing when prying out the old seal. Some Hondabond around the seal when installing isn't proper procedure, but it will stop the leak.

Also, did you lube the outside of the seal upon install? If you tried to install dry, I'm sure the outer part of the seal was damaged also.

And "pushing" on the axle will not seat it properly, it needs to be "banged" in Grab the outer joint, make sure the inner joint is seating properly with the diff, and use the axle as a big hammer.

aaronfelipe

It is not leaking from where the seal meets the transmission. It's leaking from behind the seal from inside of the transmission. Maybe this will better answer my question; if the transmission is filled all the way to the top will excess fluid come out from behind the output shaft seal until it's at the right level?

I mentioned pushing the axle in because that's all it took to get the other one in place. One good push.

aaronfelipe

Nobody?

Evs-One

Axle seal 6 o clock position is level to the fill plug 6 o clock position.

It will leak out of one or the other, if the car is level and proper fluid level is reached.

aaronfelipe

Thank you for that. So if the transmission is filled all the way to the top, and then some more, it is perfectly normal for fluid to leak from behind the output shaft seal until it is at the right level.

I was finally able to get the axle in, the "C" clip that came in the new one was the problem. It was not bent right therefore not allowing the axle to go in any further. I used the old one and it popped after some effort. I'm glad.

Evs-One

yeah, you're just fine.

aaronfelipe

Thank you for all of your help. Car is back on the road and running smoothly.