Leaking 3 spd trans question

ClanCassidy · Post by **ClanCassidy** » April 13, 2007, 5:44 pm

Hi everyone,

There is gear lube leaking out of the drivers side of my 3 spd (column shift) trans. It seems to be coming from behind the large square dust boot that shields the clutch engage/disengage lever. I presume the large square boot is a dust shield only?

Is there a seal behind the boot that I can replace without pulling the trans ?

Thanks.

Uncle Skip · Post by **Uncle Skip** » April 13, 2007, 5:52 pm

You sure its the transmission grease? Are you using much oil in the motor and/ or have you checked the transmission for oil?
Is there oil leaking out of the bottom of the dust cover on the bellhousing?
The tranny grease is checked by removing the plug on the side, sticking your finger in the hole and if you don't have grease on the end of your finger, its low. The oil level should be just below that hole if its full.
The rear main seal could be (probably is) leaking and causing your problem.
Typically, the only transmission seal that leaks on a manual box is the rear seal on the driveshaft yoke or the seals on the shift forks coming out the side of the transmission (3 speed).
Hope this helps you out.
U@ss

mwilk1 · Post by **mwilk1** » April 13, 2007, 7:24 pm

I could be the front seal of the tranny but thats usually not the case like skip says. Did you have a lot of noise coming from the trans before the leak?? Did the noise shut up in any particular gear? If either answer is yes maybe the input bearing is bad causing your seal to leak. NO you must pull it to replace it. may as well put a clutch in it while your there because the oil from either the motor or trans is going to cause problems. Just my 2cents.

ClanCassidy · Post by **ClanCassidy** » April 13, 2007, 8:14 pm

Good guess on the rear main seal however I just finished replacing it and it seems to be leak free now. This is definately gear lube. I just drained the old stuff and put in a full load of fresh stuff - now it's leaking. I suspect it was just low before and now that it's full, it's leaking again.

I've replaced the rear trans seal already - hard as a rock. It doesn't look like the gaskets are leaking. I think that just leaves the front shaft seal.

Also, it doesn't seem to leak once parked - just while running.

Can someone confirm my guess above and or let me know if there's some other seal behind that clutch shift fork dust boot that could be leaking.

Thanks,

John.

winr · Post by **winr** » April 14, 2007, 12:43 am

Hi John.

There is no seal behind the rubber dust cover.

3 and 4 speed top loaders and 3 and 4 speed borg warner transmissions have:

Front input seal installed in the front bearing retainer that has the snout on it that the throwout bearing rides on.

Rear output seal installed in the tailshaft that seals the driveshaft yoke.

rubber o-rings (2 or 3) on the shift shafts (or shift cams).

Front bearing retainer gasket.

Trans body to tailshaft gasket.

Cast iron side cover or stamped steel plate on top (top loaders) gasket.

3 gaskets.

2 or 3 o-rings.

2 lip seals.

Here is an exploded view, it is a 4 speed but close enough.

http://www.billwrigley.com/vintage/307.jpg

Regards.

Richard.

bobenhotep · Post by **bobenhotep** » April 14, 2007, 6:18 am

on my truck the pilot bearing was worn out and the input shaft wobble made the front seal leak. so while yer in der check the pilot bearing/ bushing.

ClanCassidy · Post by **ClanCassidy** » April 14, 2007, 12:29 pm

Thanks for all the great input and thanks Richard for the diagram - very helpful. I'm going to pull the trans and check all seals and gaskets. I'll check the bearing as well - wouldn't have thought of that.

Thanks again.

John.