I can't tell for sure if it's a seal in the trans or the rear main of the engine leaking. I pulled the trans, and the inside of the bellhousing is covered in oil/clutch dust, but I can't tell if it's engine oil or trans fluid. It kinda smells like trans fluid, but I'm not sure if there's a seal on the main input shaft of the trans or not...

Also, is there supposed to be any play on the input shaft of the trans? It shifts fine and doesn't slip out of gear, but there is play in the shaft.

Thanks.

 

There should not be any play in the input shaft, so the seal is likely toast. I also don't think engine oil from a rear main seal leak would end up in the bell housing, especially if you see signs of oil flow starting below the input shaft. With that said, just go ahead and replace the input shaft bearing and seal as well as the rear main seal while the transmission is out.

 

second on that replace both while the trans is out

 

How would I go about replacing the input shaft bearing and seal? From the looks of it I'll have to split the trans open, is that correct? There's no place that I can see to get to the bearing or seal from the outside of the case. I'll upload a pic in a bit.

Btw, we were going to replace the rear main anyways... Better safe than sorry!

 

I wiped off the input shaft and the area directly around it, so that's why that part is clean. I left the rest of it alone.

 

Yes, you need to open the transmission. The FAQs sticky up top has links to DIYs.

 

Thanks for the info. I'll be doing it soon, and thanks to your links I feel confident doing it on my own! lol