Date:         Sat, 15 Jun 2002 17:20:02 -0700
Reply-To:     mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Second mainshaft seal failure....
Comments: To: "Thomas D. Hanlon" <hanran@earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Tom, if I were you I would check the tranny out a little before
reinstalling it. The mainshaft bearing may be gone, allowing the main
shaft and it's extension the input shaft to move around too much and
chew up the seal. To check this you will need to remove the bell
housing. The tranny will have to be drained first and you will likely
need a new $3 paper gasket to put the housing back.

After you remove the bell housing bolts and the housing itself, shine a
light into the tranny to see if there is any visible problem. The main
shaft sticks through a hole in the inner case and this hole can get
completely pounded open wide by a bad shaft bearing.

The input shaft is held on to the end of the main shaft by a circlip and
there is a splined sleeve connecting the 2 shafts. You should slide the
circlip back some, then the sleeve, and unscrew the input shaft from the
main shaft. The parts that connect the shaft can fail and allow the
input shaft to hammer in and out of the crankshaft pilot bearing hole.
This is also hard on the seal.

If you decide to do this and need any more info let me know. A phone
conversation will be best.

Mark


"Thomas D. Hanlon" wrote:
>
> Listees,
>
> Can someone suggest the cause/causes of failure of  main shaft seals in
> conjunction with clutch replacement work?
>
> I have installed a complete LUK clutch kit, successfully, "almost," and
> I've reinstalled the transmission main shaft seal, twice. I used no
> lubricant nor sealant in conjunction with the installation of the
> mainshaft seal.  (See post "OOPs..Leaking transmission after clutch
> replacement.") The first replaced seal was distressed/torn/ripped around
> the interior, that part which surrounds the main shaft. The condition of
> the second seal is unknown, at this time. The transmission is leaking at
> the junction of the engine and the bell housing. "Once more into the
> breach..."
>
> The transmission was twice removed and reinstalled, gently, and
> precisely, using two floor jacks, without any apparent stress of the
> main shaft. (Thank you, Stan). The main shaft appears to be damage-free.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Tom Hanlon
> Palm Springs, CA
> 84 Westfalia