otgarza

I got a 98 civic dx that im workin on (again)...bought a remaned cv axle and a timken axle seal. This was my first time doing a cv axle replacement and its been a hell of an experience. I got everything off pretty easy; axle nut, tie rod end, lower ball joint, and the strut wish bone. Pulled the axle out of the hub and popped it out of the tranny pretty easy. Then i ran into something weird...there was a little spring probably the length of an average index finger maybe a bit longer sitting in the hole after the axle popped out. I just grabbed it and saved it since i didnt know where it came from. Pulled the seal out and installe the new one...didnt seem like it was flush in the tranny but went along and tried to get the new axle in...and voila it wouldnt go in. Tried many different methods and nothing.

That was last night. This afternoon i was back at it...compared the old and new axles and they were the same. Old one popped in and out easy but the new one wouldnt go in with any method. So i went to the autozone i work at and picked up a new cv axle instead of remaned and it went in easy. Put everything back together and put in a quart of trans fluid to make up for what came out...when i went to grab the second quart there was fluid all over the floor...

So now im going to get a seal from honda and try again this coming afternoon...i want to know if maybe that spring has something to do with it or maybe the seal ripped on me from trying to fit the axles in multiple times? Any advice and input is welcome just trying to see if anyone has been throught this or may be able to help me out.

otgarza

As for the seal it didnt seem flush cuz it felt as if the o.d. of the seal was too small and the seal goes in and out too easy...maybe something to do with the spring?

98civdx

There is a spring inside the axle seal, don't worry about it...

Get an OEM seal, and use the old one to tap the new seal in. Make sure not to go too far, or it WILL leak. You want it flush with the case.

otgarza

okay thanks...would the dealer have these springs or do they come with the seal? and i was also wondering if i could add rtv silicone to it for added security or should it just work that way?

Emeraldbomber

They come with the seal. You shouldnt have to use any type of sealant for it to seal

kyden

they come inside the seal.

otgarza

Ah shouldve known...just got the seal from the dealer time to get to work and ill report back. Plus that timken seal from work didnt have a spring...that might have been where i went wrong. Thanks for the help guys.

otgarza

Pulled everything apart....took out the old seal and installed the new one. Greased everything up and put everything back together and voila good as new. Added two quarts of trans fluid and it shifts better too and so far no leaks.

98civdx

Good to hear.