fluid leaking from trans/transfer case

[gsxlol]

1998 eclipse gsx

I was out driving last night with some friends. we cruised around for maybe an hour, the car never gave me a problems at all. i didnt hit anything in the road. i didnt hear anything fall off the car. no problems whatsoever.

I woke up this morning to find this:

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which led me to this:

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the hole looks like it is supposed to be there, however there has never been any leaks before and can't imagine it would just randomly star leaking fluid. is there supposed to be something there that normally plugs that hole? is that hole in the transmission or the transfer case? pretty much every bolt i could get a hand on under the car has had a wrench on it. everything was tight. what should i do to make it stop leaking?

 

[miguelmcv]

There are 2 seals at that location, one on the transfer case and one on the transmission, you have to remove the transfer case to see where the leak is.
Remove tha transfer case and let as now where is the leak so we can guide you to replace the seal.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Replacing the seal is simple call around autostores or dealer i just replaced mine, so pull the transfer case off and inspect the seals, probably just worn out.

 

[gsxlol]

so the hole is supposed to be there though right? there is just a seal inside either on the trans or transfer case which would normally keep the fluid from leaking out?

 

[miguelmcv]

Is not a hole, but looks like... However, you need to remove the transfer case to identify where the leak is coming from, there is a shaft going from the transmission to the transfer case, there is one seal at the transmission and another on the transfer case.

 

[pauleyman]

The fluid is really dark too. Whichever it is kind looks like it needs a change. The tcase seal is fairly easy The tranny side is a bit harder with the tranny in the car. The shaft sticking through it kinda sucks.

 

[gsxlol]

okay so I pulled the tcase and the input shaft came with it. I read up on this and learned that there is a dentent ball that should hold the shaft in place. Without the ball it will leak as well. I've got everything figured out and all the new parts ordered.

What still has me scratching my head is why did this just happen out of nowhere? The seals look fine. The car has been running and driving just fine forth past year with no problems. I didn't see any dentent ball during tear down. Does it really take that long for the leak to start?

 

[pauleyman]

The detent ball is inside the transmission. This didn't happen out of nowhere, somebody didn't put the ball back. Change the seals anyway and put the ball back in. You'll have to remove the end case on the other side and the viscous coupling.

 

[gsxlol]

I don't think you quite understand.

Everything is already torn apart and the ball wast there.. This car has been running and driving for a year (apparently with no detent ball)

I understand that the previous owner must have been in the trans and didn't put the ball in, but why did it just now start leaking?

 

[miguelmcv]

It could be with out the ball the shaft had some play and finally the play damaged the seal.
Don't quote me on that, But that's the only thing that comes to my mind.

 

[pauleyman]

The shaft eventually worked it was out of the transmission far enough to leak. Yes it might have taken that long. The solution is put the ball back and replace the seals. If there is any damage to the shaft or the needle bearing it will be obvious when you take it out. Not likely I don't think.

 

[gsxlol]

Okay so i finally got all the parts in and i started replacing everything starting with the seal. I got stuck here because i cant seem to get the seal out. The seal puller i have and the ones i habe seenwont reach behind the seal to pull it out. I did however manage to find this very small metal spring style rubber band type kind of thing. I dont know what its for i dont know exactly where ot goes.

Im hoping some of you have some tips or tricks as to how to get the seal out
and also what the hell is this spring thing for and how easy will it be to put it back where it goes?

 

[mattasi]

There is a spring on the seals. That rubber band spring is probably the spring off the old seal you were trying to remove. A seal puller that has hooks on it should be all you need to get that out.

 

[gsxlol]

There is a spring on the seals. That rubber band spring is probably the spring off the old seal you were trying to remove. A seal puller that has hooks on it should be all you need to get that out.

okay glad to know its not some super important part of the trans or something.

the puller i have has hooks on it but it wont reach far enough into the trans to get behind the seal. for whatever reason i have a flat head screwdriver that is bent like a hook. it reaches far enough bet it wont get behind the seal.

 

[gsxlol]

Ok guys. I replaced the seal and detent ball and it stopped leaking. Until about 20 miles later. It's leaking from the same spot. I'm sure that I installed the seal correctly. What could be causing it to still be leaking? I'm lost.