[updated:LAST EDITED ON 02-Dec-02 AT 05:57 PM (EST)]Ok. Lotsa stuff.

First of all. I have a minor leak in from my master cylinder. Fluid appears to be leaking from where the resovoir attaches to the master cylinder. A mechanic told me pretty much any time the master cylinder leaks, externally or internally, it'll need to be replaced. Comments?

Next. Engine oil is dripping from the bottom of my bellhousing. Seems to be leaking from somewhere up above. What could be causing that?

Where the shifter rod from my steering column ties into the transmission there seems to be a minor seeping leak of transmission fluid. Either that or its very very heavily greased. Is this normal or bad?

And lastly. Something in the rear is chirping in time with the tires rotating. Its an odd sound, but its definitely not going in speed with the engine, but the tires. The harder I hit the gas, the more obvious the sound is. On a really slow acceleration it barely makes any noise at all. I'm thinking this could be brakes not coming off...maybe related to the master cylinder?

Heh so much for selling it. I ended up dropping even more cash into it last week, so now I can't afford to. Wheeee...

Also. The tranny is getting old. Is it possible to swap in a five speed manual transmission where my (I think) AOD is? 89 bronco w/ 302 overdrive.

 

As for the master cylinder, if you have to seperate the resevoir from the cylinder, you are going to have to rebleed the master cylinder anyway. I think its a case of since you have it that far apart and those seals have gone the way of the doe-doe, might as well put new master cylinder in so ALL the seals are new. Saves you the headache of doing it again when the rest of the seals die. This would be a cost/time comparison thing too.

The oil at the bell housing would seem to be the ever-dreaded rear main seal. Not much else back there to leak unless its the rear of the pan.

The transmission question I will refer you to someone much better versed in such things.

The rear wheel/tire noise could well be rear brakes dragging. Does the problem go away or get less obvious as you drive longer distances without stopping? That will answer that question. Check for axle bearings/seals leaking this is usually a sign of wear and could be the culprit if the problems persists even after driving for a bit and not braking.

BTW if you do decide to part with it at some point, I know a few people here with early Bronco's for sale. If I remember correctly, you were considering a switch to one of these.

 

>Next. Engine oil is dripping from the bottom of my
>bellhousing. Seems to be leaking from somewhere up above.
>What could be causing that?

I had the same problem on my 90. It ended up needing new valve cover gaskets. Clean it up and tighten those valve covers down. See if that makes the difference. If so, you found your problem.

>And lastly. Something in the rear is chirping in time with
>the tires rotating. Its an odd sound, but its definitely
>not going in speed with the engine, but the tires. The
>harder I hit the gas, the more obvious the sound is. On a
>really slow acceleration it barely makes any noise at all.
>I'm thinking this could be brakes not coming off...maybe
>related to the master cylinder?

Probably wheel bearings. Have replaced, regreased or inspected lately? Cheap fix if it is. Bearings, race, lots of high temp grease and seals in the back. Quick job maybe an hour tops.

Hope this helps. Good Luck.

KJ

 

My guess on the rear chirping would be one or both of the rear U-joints going bad. Under acceleration, you're putting more load on them, and since their needle bearings are probably pretty much powder, you're getting more of a pronounced squeak, or chirp. Under deceleration, not as much (if any) load, therefore not as much noise. Just my $0.02.

 

Valve cover gaskets are a common problem I bet that is where you are leaking oil. If the master cylinder leaks it needs to be replaced.

 

well see the thing is i shouldn't be leaking oil at all. all the seals and gaskets were replaced when i had the daggum thing rebuilt about 10k mi ago. im pretty sure its the rear main seal. i just didn't want to admit it. i think i have a 50/50 warranty from the company that installed the engine for the second year though. im pretty sure its the breaks hanging up in the back. gonna have all that checked, and prolly put in a new master cylinder. its my daily driver, i don't have time to do it myself. taking it to the mechanic tomorrow.

but what about that AOD to manual swap? anyone ever done it?

a few things i was thinking - i'd assume the mounts for a clutch petal are on the frame whether or not its a standard. and you'd have to cut a hole in the transmission hump to mount the stick. remove the rod from the shifter to the tranny with the automatic. hmm. would the computer crap a brick if i did that? any wiring etc to remove? other than finding a clutch from a boneyard would there be much stress involved?

thanks for the quick response. woohoo! junior user now

 

I agree with Restorit on the u-joints in the rear driveshaft for the squeak.As for the oil leak ,mine does the same thing from the same place.I took the inspection plug out of the bottom of the bell-housing and took a peek to find out it was dry in there.I haven't figured it out yet but it drips maye 2 or 3 drops everytime I park it.Sometimes the oil splashes on the cat and I can smell it while driving but it is never really low on oil.Maybe it's some kind of trans oil leak from the cooling lines?
Good luck & let us know what you find with the squeak.


All Caps edited out by administration for ease of reading

 

Problem solved. Squeaking was that pesky cv joint. The master cylinder needed to be replaced, and the leak is the rear main seal. DUN DUN DAAAA!(ominous music plays in background)

heh.