transmission fluid leak..HELP
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2000
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From: Pittsburgh (Iron City)
transmission fluid leak..HELP
Been a while since I have been here. 1990 Bronco, 302, with automatic 4speed/overdrive. I have lost about 3-4 quarts of fluid in the past few days. Got underneath and degreased everything to locate the leak. After cleaning I filled it back to normal level and didnt find any leaks. Came back about 20 minutes later and about a quart of fluid was on the ground. The leak is coming from where the transmission housing mates with the (I guess it is called) the extension housing. The housing that mates the trans to the transfer case and also bolts to the frame crossmember. On the drivers side there is a bracket for an electrical cable that was hanging free. That mating surface is separated at the top about 1/8 inch. There are 6 holes on the housing and only 2 bolts at the bottom are present. Are there supposed to be bolts in all 6 holes??? How the heck do these bolts disappear without notice, ie other bolts vibrating loose. How do I correct this?..Please help as I am a no go right now. Thanks in advance.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,716
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It sounds like your transfer case is separating from the trans. Tain't good! I would expect it to be bolted all the way around. Bolts can disappear without notice if someone had it apart and forgot to tighten them after hand-threading them in. Also, people with air tools can easily strip out the case threads, hope that isn't your situation!
To do it right, it should be taken apart, gasket changed, anything dirty or gritty cleaned, correct bolts used (after seeing if helicoils are needed to fix, if stripped out).
That's my 2 cents.
To do it right, it should be taken apart, gasket changed, anything dirty or gritty cleaned, correct bolts used (after seeing if helicoils are needed to fix, if stripped out).
That's my 2 cents.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Loveland, CO.
I agree with Torky (kd wrote me an e-mail asking for help). As I said in the e-mail, first I would try to simply install bolts back in where they are missing, if all goes well nothing will be stripped and the leak will stop.
I also advised to have a jack underneath, preferably with wheels, for safety's sake since it sounds like there is not much holding things together down there and he may have to remove one of the remaining bolts to see what size it is (also may need to remove the driveshaft to get everything lined back up).
I also advised to have a jack underneath, preferably with wheels, for safety's sake since it sounds like there is not much holding things together down there and he may have to remove one of the remaining bolts to see what size it is (also may need to remove the driveshaft to get everything lined back up).
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Loveland, CO.
I just hit reply and answered your e-mail, maybe it will show up later. But in essence, simply trying to put the bolts back in would be the first step. You might need to remove one of the remaining bolts to check the size. Do not get under the truck and do this without a jack under the tranny/t-case!
If nothing is stripped or broken, this may easily get you fixed up. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
If nothing is stripped or broken, this may easily get you fixed up. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2000
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From: Pittsburgh (Iron City)
Put new bolts with some locktite on the threads back in.... slowed the leak. My question now is... Could the fact that the extension housing was tipped about an 1/8th inch at the top, could the rear seal of the transmission been effected. I ask this as I am still leaking, though it isnt near as much as before....???
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Loveland, CO.
Yes, that could have happeneds Also, is there a gasket between there? I am not sure. If so, perhaps the gasket was ruined. Luckily for you, it sounds like no threads were ruined and nothing was physically broken. If it is still leaking, your next step is to actually take it fully apart and replace any seals and/or gaskets.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2000
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From: Pittsburgh (Iron City)
there is not a gasket between the two, as this extension housing appears to me to be the mounting connection of the tranny to the xfer case and does not have much purpose other than mounting and housing the lenght of driveline into the xfer case. If this tranny was on a 2wheel drive it wouldnt be there, just the end of the tranny (rear seal) and drive shaft would be the only components there. This is a very amatuer tranny guess. That is what makes me think it might be the rear seal.
