leaking fluid, impossible to shift while boosting

[khartley]

So here's the deal. I just replaced my front axles. After replacing them, I was unsure of how much fluid to add, so I think I ended up putting in over 1 1/2 quarts and it started to spill out the fill hole, so I figured it was full. Testdrove, and it leaking like crazy. I searched these forums, and I decided I must have overfilled and it was seeping out the vent holes. I didn't worry about it, and just drove it. About a month later it starts shifting hard, and its apparent that it is extremely low on fluid. I add fluid, but for some reason can't seem to get more than a cup in without it it spilling out the fill hole again...I think maybe it was a false alarm. I drive and it drives a little better, I look under the car and discover a slow leak from what seems like the transfer case seal. I didn't get to drive the car a day before the hard shifting returned, and as I headed home to add fluid it got so bad that I ended up stuck in 2nd gear and had to make it home that way....I get home and am able to add another cup of fluid before it starts spilling out again...WTF???? Am I doing something wrong???

So now comes to today. Its low on fluid again, so I get down and dirty with it. I bought a bottle of Lucas tranny fix, mix it with 80-90 gear oil so its a little runnier, and attempt to fill the tranny with that entire bottle. It would not do it. I tried to add with a hose, via the bottle just shoved in the hole (with and without the car running) and each time the same results...the fluid would just slowly stream out the fill hole. I think about 2 cups actually staying in the tranny.

Now the question. With the little bit of added fluid, it shifts fine. But if I try and boost a bit then shift, it WILL NOT go into gear.
So is there just not enough fluid, or is my tranny fried now because of driving with low fluid?
How can I get more fluid in the stupid thing????

 

[BUCK]

I take it we are talking the Tranny Fluid level Plug on FRONT of Tranny? - The car should be LEVEL when you are checking the Fluid level at the Tranny Fluid level Plug on FRONT of Tranny - I can only surmise that you had it on Ramps or something NOT LEVEL - OR you filled it thru the Reverse Switch hole or the Vent hole on top of Tranny to get so much Fluid in it for to leak out of the Vent on TOP of Tranny~! - When you say it's low again is the car LEVEL when you are checking the Tranny Fluid level at Plug on FRONT of Tranny ? - YES you could have blown a Tranny Seal if you overfilled it - It's also possible that you have a damaged AXLE SEAL that should have been replaced when you did the Axle Job - CLEAN the Tranny area with Brake Cleaner or something & FIND which Tranny Seal you've blown - Just for giggles check your Clutch Master Cylinder Fluid level & Shift Linkages & PRAY that something there is your Shift problem because YES it's quite possible you've cooked your Tranny driving around with a Tranny Seal you blew overfilling it ...

There's a perfectly good VFAQ on all this - Visual Frequently Answered Questions - Home Page

 

[khartley]

The car was level, I've been filling it in the fill hole...the one that you use a 17mm wrench to get off...and I have that vfaq bookmarked.
I'm doing something wrong...I just don't know what...I've read that it takes anywhere from 1 quart to almost 2 1/2 quarts to fill the tranny.

I've seen where it leaks, and it drips down seal between the tranny and transfer case, so I believe that is the seal needing replaced. The axle seals were fine when they were replaced.

I don't understand how to check the fluid level. I've tried shoving a wire or something in the fill hole and nothing will go in past an inch or so...is there somewhere else to check it?

 

[BUCK]

I don't understand how to check the fluid level.

When the Fluid is level with the Fill hole & therefore runs back out of the Fill hole... it's full - Fm the VFAQ:

After about 2.3 qrts, remove the hose and see if any oil leaks out of the filler plug hole. If none does add more oil, if some does wait till it doesn't leak anymore then replace the filler plug. Your done!

I've seen where it leaks, and it drips down seal between the tranny and transfer case, so I believe that is the seal needing replaced.

Drop the Transfer Case & replace the Seal - Might as well renew the Seals & Change Fluid in the Transfer case while you're at it - Of course if the Tranny is dead you'll be pulling all this anyway.