3 speed auto leaking into transfer (2 Viewers)

[1phrogguy]

Hi all,

I have a 3 speed auto tranny that appears to be leaking into the transfer case. Checked transfer this afternoon and it was overfilled with a mix of atf and gear oil. Mostly atf. I read on the web that I need to change some seals just don't know which one(s).

Here's some pics to show you what I'm looking at. This is a new rig to me so this may have been going on for some time.

There wasn't a bunch of fluid on the transfer case when I wiped it down, just trying to see what's up with this thing.

I assume dropping the transfer case is the way to access whatever seal needs to be addressed. Any tips would be appreciated! Awesome, now I finally get to have a motorcycle jack I'll use once (hopefully).

The transfer case does have a pretty significant whine to it, I am sure the atf mix wasn't helping. Would now be the time to do more than just replace seals and go? Everything seems to be working as it should, just a lot of noise any time you are on the gas. It seems there are a lot of folks who just deal with the whine, others have had to replace the case to solve it. Should I be concerned? I can deal with some noise.

Thanks all,

 

[65swb45]

You are going to need to tear down the case to get your answer. Unfortunately, there's a fair chance that the idler shaft and the inside of the idler gear are worn, and there's no other way to really tell without a full teardown.

 

[1phrogguy]

@65swb45 Get the answer to what? Fixing the leaking tranny or the noise?

 

[65swb45]

You HAVE to pull the t-case to properly deal with the leak.

You HAVE to tear down the t-case to fully determine what is contributing to the whine.

 

[reddingcruiser]

^^yes

 

[1phrogguy]

Thanks for the reply's. I guess I am looking for more specific advice, stuff like: change this seal on the transfer....or transmission.
I realize I would need to remove the transfer case, no clue after though. I'm sure it is pretty straight forward, I just have no experience doing it.

I am trying to figure out if this leak is something I can handle or I have to pay to get resolved.

The transfer case whine, is this a major concern? Could it grenade on me or something?

 

[reddingcruiser]

Exactly what transmission do you have? What adapter? My AA adapter uses a sealed bearing at the spud shaft to prevent ATF from passing into the t-case. If it's an open bearing and the t-case input seal is shot then that's the problem.
If the t-case has been running in ATF for any extended period of time, that could be the cause of the whine. The only way to tell is pull everything apart, look for excessive wear.

 

[Downey]

Ok, here's what I know, however what I know has also been argued before here on Mud. When we had auto tranny fluid seep from tranny into transfer-case our remedy was to: (a) turn the transfer-case front input oil seal around (using a new seal) so that open side of the seal is facing the auto tranny fluid. The reason for doing this is because tranny fluid is trying to seep down hill into the transfer-case, thicker transfer-case oil is not trying to seep up hill into the tranny.(b) Totally clean, then put a ring of silicone glue around front nose of front transfer-case input gear (front drive gear) to prevent auto tranny fluid from seeping through the front bearing and through the input gear splines. DO NOT use so much silicone that it seeps down between input gear splines and input shaft splines. Fully assemble transfer-case and tighten transfer-case input shaft rear nut so that input gear presses against input bearing before silicone dries, and allow to fully dry before adding oil to the tranny and transfer-case, and/or using the vehicle. NOTE: sealed bearings quite frequently do not seal at all, so that's not really the remedy.

 

[1phrogguy]

Trans is a th250, 13 bolt pattern and pan with X. Here's a better pic of the adapter. Google didn't help much at all trying to find out what adapter I have, hopefully someone will recognize it.

 

[Downey]

My Downey 1" thick adapter, so do as I stated above.

 

[65swb45]

My Downey 1" thick adapter, so do as I stated above.

THE SOURCE IS WITH YOU! How awesome is that! One more reason this place rocks!

 

[sgiandubh]

This is good to know. When talking to AA about this issue with my adapter they indicated that the sealed spud shaft bearing was a key component in isolating T Case and Transmission fluid.

When mine failed, I had ATF and gear oil mixed throughout the trans and T Case. But, your recommendation to flip the T Case input seal is well received. I'm guessing that the initial failure was ATF into the T Case.

Trans is a th250, 13 bolt pattern and pan with X. Here's a better pic of the adapter. Google didn't help much at all trying to find out what adapter I have, hopefully someone will recognize it.
View attachment 1414327

Says Downey Off Road on the adapter....

 

[1phrogguy]

Thank you @Downey I'll have to check with the local club for some help. I don't have the tools or skills to complete this properly, if I have to use a shop any idea what it should generally cost?

 

[1phrogguy]

THE SOURCE IS WITH YOU! How awesome is that! One more reason this place rocks!

I couldn't believe he posted as I was typing up that msg, this place does rock!

 

[Rock40]

It will cost you plenty, just take your time and do it yourself. You're looking at maybe a $10 input shaft seal for the transfer case. A full rebuild kit for the transfer case will only run you about $200 or so.

 

[Rock40]

If you have a set of metric wrenches, a brass drift, torque wrench, hammer and snap ring pliers, you can get the transfer case out of the truck, fully rebuild it and re-install. The most difficult part is correctly torqueing the input/output shaft nuts.