2G '96 gsx transfer case help

[drthorp]

So my '96 gsx is leaking and I cant seem to see the exact origin? It seems to be dripping off the passenger side axle so I assume its that seal on the tcase. I read that its pretty easy to drop the t case and replace these seals (easier than the whole front side of the engine's seals anyway), I'm just needing some clarification on this recall I keep seeing reference to, and if there something I'm not seeing in the images I posted. Thanks in advance.

 

[AWD-Tony]

Are you sure that it’s not the axle seal? Don’t think it’s the tcase leaking since it’s all over the trans. Best way is to clean ever thing, take it for a drive and look again

 

[pauleyman]

I dont see how it could be tcase as its nowhere near the passenger axle.

 

[ThunderChild]

Looks like power steering almost. Otherwise I'd say passenger axle seal.

 

[miguelmcv]

As TK's9d2TSi stated before, clean/dry the area and surrounding and see where the leak is coming from,

 

[DSMPT]

Could be brake fluid.

 

[Kryndon]

Judging by the color of that fluid and the location, I doubt it's from the transfer. Technically the Tcase sits bolted to the driver side of the transmission. The passenger axle itself goes into the transmission, not the Tcase.

Generally common leak spots are either oil seal on the transmission itself, the rear seal on the Tcase where the propshaft yoke goes into, and the occasional clutch line leak. However, that fluid looks closer to brake/clutch fluid as Hiroshi said, so right now what you need to do is this:

If the puddle is still there, rub it with your finger and give it a smell. Brake/clutch fluid smells nothing like Tcase/Trans fluid, so you will know immediately which one it is.

After that, I can see your transmission housing and Tcase are also very wet. Rub those off and smell them too. Once you know what type of fluid you're leaking, as the others have said, brake clean the shit out of everything, let it dry. And since you got a lift, at your discretion, run the car in 1st gear or something and carefully check each axle seal, as well as the Tcase yoke. A proper drive might be needed to further confirm where you're leaking from. Also, check your clutch/brake fluid reservoirs, as well as the fluid levels on your Tcase and Transmission.

Do these steps and you will get much closer to finding your leak!

 

[Dusty Landrum]

Looking at picture two, to me it seems that the leak right below the tie rod is from the ripped below boot on it that has been slinging stuff everywhere. Granted it seems there are NUMEROUS leaks on the car, but just answering your question originally I would replace the outer tie rod and boot.

 

[drthorp]

First off, thanks for the replies. I've done some more investigating, and it seems like there's fluid running down the axle and dripping where the boot is. Its not brake fluid, im sure of that. Also, yes there have been plenty of leaks on this car before, and Ive fixed all of them except this new one and the small one at the oil cooler and oil pan . I looked in the VFAQ for the clutch job to see how difficult pulling the passenger axle is, and it doesn't seem terrible so ill start working on that next week. Im just hoping this wont result in pulling entire assemblies out (tcase, gear box, tranny, whatever, etc). It looks like STMtuned has all i would need. Ill update when/if i know more.

 

[miguelmcv]

No you don’t have to remove nothing, (if the leak is coming from the top).
If it’s dripping on the boot then, check the valve cover gasket, they can leak and drip down and run along the bell housing, when you check it out, don’t just look from the top, but run you fingers on the back of the cover to feel the wetness.

 

[drthorp]

No you don’t have to remove nothing, (if the leak is coming from the top).
If it’s dripping on the boot then, check the valve cover gasket, they can leak and drip down and run along the bell housing, when you check it out, don’t just look from the top, but run you fingers on the back of the cover to feel the wetness.

Luckily, I have a fresh gasket on there and its not leaking motor oil up top anywhere at the moment, but that's a good thought. There was still a ton of sludge and gross stuff on the bottom of this car/ bell housing from the previous leak, so it's been difficult to get it all off. I'm going to take a closer look at the axle seals very soon and go from there. I believe TK was the first to suggest it.