Oil Return Tube or Tcase Rebuild? That is the question...

[cbmontgo]

My FJ60 has the infamous seal leak between the tranny and the tcase. I have been hearing about this oil return kit versus the actual tcase rebuild. I am very busy with a bathroom remodel and work travel right now and just don't have the time to get to rebuilding the tcase. Either I let the rig sit for a couple of months when I get to it or order this oil return kit from SOR and have it back on the road sooner.

I may pull the tranny in a year or two and replace my rear main seal and clutch (while I'm in there), so should I buy the oil return kit and do all of this other stuff at once next year?

What do you guys think?

 

[hank14]

I put a transfer oil return kit on mine when I bought it- mainly because I found a new one on the F/S board here from someone that didn't need it. A clutch, rear main, and T-case rebuild is in my future, but at least with this I don't feel like I need to check the levels every week until I have time to do the full meal deal.

 

[grant5127]

I've had the hose trick on mine for going on 4 years.... it is a temporary fix until something more major warrants pulling the unit... besides I don't mind the two sharing the same bodily fluids........

 

[Mace]

I am waiting for someone to try this with a 62

 

[Mace]

BTW, before you do anything look at the vent tubes on your tranny. If they are plugged, the seals will never hold..

 

[2mbb]

My FJ60 has the infamous seal leak between the tranny and the tcase. I have been hearing about this oil return kit versus the actual tcase rebuild. I am very busy with a bathroom remodel and work travel right now and just don't have the time to get to rebuilding the tcase. Either I let the rig sit for a couple of months when I get to it or order this oil return kit from SOR and have it back on the road sooner.

I may pull the tranny in a year or two and replace my rear main seal and clutch (while I'm in there), so should I buy the oil return kit and do all of this other stuff at once next year?

What do you guys think?

The oil return kit should work fine IF the oil is leaking from the transfer case into the transmission. If the oil is leaking the other way, the return kit won't work and you should reseal your transfer case.

 

[2mbb]

BTW, before you do anything look at the vent tubes on your tranny. If they are plugged, the seals will never hold..

mace: I thought the transmission vented through the top of the transfer mission (through the shifter boot). What/where are these vent tubes?

 

[Mace]

tcase has a vent. the tranny does vent through the top plate.

Still, make sure that oo much crud has not accumulated...

 

[cbmontgo]

The oil return kit should work fine IF the oil is leaking from the transfer case into the transmission. If the oil is leaking the other way, the return kit won't work and you should reseal your transfer case.

My transmission oil overflows through the fill hole. I am assuming that this means it is flowing from the tcase? The oil almost "shoots" out of the fill hole in the tranny.

 

[jefferson-mo]

DIY

I did:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/69153-tc-oil-transfer-fix-w-pics.html

 

[Cruiserdrew]

That tube connection works great, and can buy you time and piece of mind to do a real rebuild on your terms. Highly recommended.

 

[cbmontgo]

Thanks, guys. Just ordered the one oil return from SOR. Hopefully this will be a big time saver!

 

[LCOwner]

See if you can cancel the order. I'll send you mine for the cost of shipping.

 

[cbmontgo]

See if you can cancel the order. I'll send you mine for the cost of shipping.

Just PMed you. Thanks!

 

[cbmontgo]

One more question...how do you know you have the proper amount of oil in the tranny/tcase once this thing is installed? Doesn't it fit into the fill plugs on both the tranny and tcase?

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Fill them bothe to the brim, then screw in the transfer hose.

 

[cbmontgo]

Fill them bothe to the brim, then screw in the transfer hose.

Thanks! That's what I'll do...

 

[Benji]

Hey cbmontgo,

Iv'e had mine on for two years now. I have checked the fluids 3 times since then. It seems to be doing the job just fine.

 

[cbmontgo]

Hey cbmontgo,

Iv'e had mine on for two years now. I have checked the fluids 3 times since then. It seems to be doing the job just fine.

Awesome. How ya been, Benji? Long time no talk...hope all is well up there with the Hoosiers!

 

[cbmontgo]

Ok, this thing came in. It looks really simple!

The oil in the tranny looks clean...should drain and refill the tranny and tcase with new oil or should I just add oil? Will it hurt to mix oils if they are slightly different weights?

Cruiserdrew, I am going to take your advice and fill them both to the brim.