Sean @ ESG

iTrader: (1)

Hey guys,

I replaced my passenger side axle the other day and noticed that on the driver's side where the axle meets the intermediate shaft, not the tranny, there is a small leak. The fluid is very dark, black, but not very viscous. Could this be transmission oil that is mixing with dirt, or is there some kind of bearing lubricant there? It's not axle grease.

Just trying to get some suggestions as to what it could be. I will probably end up either replacing the axle (free from NAPA), or just getting a new seal.

Thanks

Sean @ ESG

iTrader: (1)

UP

ktsciv93

oil?

Sean @ ESG

iTrader: (1)

As stupid as that sounds, I already considered it. The oil filter sits almost right above the inter. shaft bearing, but it's dry above it.

The leak is def. coming from the shaft.


UP

jdmcivicracer89

transmission fluid has a distinctive smell just put some on your finger and take a nice big wiff lol. if u have trans fluid laying around compare them. but if the oil is black then it most likey motor oil or u got some old trans fluid which id advice a fluid swap. there is no grease where the inter meets the trans.

jdmcivicracer89

most likey its the trans seal costs about 7 bux from autozone

Sean @ ESG

iTrader: (1)

Still trying to figure this out.

The car also has a strange grinding feel as well under braking/turning.

88_hatch_ls

is there fluid on the intermediate shaft coming from the trany? or is it all dry up untill it gets to where the axle meets? if there is it proly is the seal like jdmcivicracer89 said if not then there is only bearing grease inside where the axle meets that it could be or oil from the motor.. in a rear case it could even be ps fluid somehow

ktsciv93

tranny oil seal. where the half shaft meets the tranny.

Sean @ ESG

iTrader: (1)

I'll have to check to see if the fluid is running down the shaft from the transmission. I didn't even think of that. Could the 'grinding' sensation be from bad intermediate shaft bearings?

88_hatch_ls

ya it could possibly be, id say put the car on jack stands and have a buddy get in and start the car, put it in gear and let it roll and get under and see where its comin from

ktsciv93

if its not splashed all over the motor/firewall/etc. u can count out axles and half shaft. the rotation would spray oil everywhere.

Sean @ ESG

iTrader: (1)

Wouldn't be that bad if it was just a tiny leak though.

Sean @ ESG

iTrader: (1)

So, just as a follow up:

There was no oil/fluid leaking from the transmission side at all, and none on the intermediate shaft itself. The leak started where the axle meets the shaft.

I removed the drivers side axle and replaced the intermediate shaft seal. I haven't really driven it enough yet to see if the grinding feel has stopped, nor have I checked to see if it is still leaking. Tomorrow I will check the shaft to see if it has a tear drop leak still.

Thanks for everyones help


*On a side note* I recomend Kragen/O'Reillys for the seal. Why? Because the brand they use is made in Japan. I went to Autozone and Napa first. Napa uses SKG, and Autozone uses some **** brand I can't even remember. NEITHER OF THEM FIT PROPERLY. The O'Reillys seal looked exactly like the OEM one and went on without a problem.

Coupe-R

So did this fix it? I have the exact same leak.
Where does the greese actually come from? Because if its coming out of a bearing and the seal fixes it, you have to think why is it coming out of the bearing in the first place?

Greese isn't coming from the CV cup, isn't coming from the tranny. It comes out of the half shaft where the axle goes in. But is the greese from a bearing it self in there? Doesn't sound good.

Mine is the same