Date:         Thu, 23 Sep 2010 11:18:59 -0700
Reply-To:     Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Manual Transmission Leaking at CV Joint
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Took van in this morning, just got a call back.  They said there is "some" play in the drive shaft; if I just replace the seals (a seal kit, am assuming it replaces seals, o-ring, and cap) they won't guarantee that it won't leak.  Rebuilding the transmission would be next option.  No.  I'm going to take the $250 gamble and just do the seal kit.  (I'm aware of the 3rd/4th Slider Hub problem; my driving style is as gentle and silky smooth in shifting as possible, plus most of the miles are long distance freeway where it might be hours between shifts, so I think I've got good life left in the tranny.  Maybe when it's time for a new engine or conversion, but that's still 25,000 miles away, maybe more.)

They also "looked" around.  Said power steering rack was leaking, parts and labor is $750.  Now, I am aware of this TINY weep of a leak, from that little cover with 2 hex bolts about in the middle (I took it off, cleaned and polished things up, no gasket that I could see, put back together, and GREATLY reduced the already tiny weep).  Ends of the rack and everywhere else is bone dry.  So to just "matter of factly" recommend a fairly expensive and in my view unnecessary replacement of the ENTIRE rack starts to make me suspicious of my mechanic's motives...of course he'd like to get the tranny re-build job too and a bundle of cash.

They also noticed a bit of crusty fluid on the side of the front radiator; says not leaking now, but might.  Could that just be where I did the bleeding, ran down the side and the stuff dried into crystals?  Anyway, times must be hard at the mechanics shop, too, but I'm feeling a little like they are trying to take advantage of an uninformed Vanagon owner.  'Course, little do they know that I've got The Vanagon List in my arsenal of tricks!  So while I agree with GoWesty, for instance, that a redo of the cooling system should probably go along with an expensive new engine, I'm going to watch and wait on that one, too.

I'm definitely a proponent of keeping ahead of the game on the vehicle, and would rather do repairs here in town than a couple thousand miles away, for all the obvious reasons.  Still, don't want to throw money away on "biased" recommendations for repairs.  The total of their recommendations is probably approaching $3K....I think I'll be fine (for now) at a tenth of that.

Rich
San Diego


--- On Wed, 9/22/10, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

From: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re: Manual Transmission Leaking at CV Joint
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date: Wednesday, September 22, 2010, 4:54 PM

Called mechanic.  He agrees that it's probably the seal at the drive flange on transmission.  He did mention that either the seal is just plain worn out, or that excessive play in the drive shaft is causing the seal to wear out, in which case the new seal will quickly become worn, too and the problem is more serious.  He will drop the CV Joint down with tranny in place, and see what's going on; let's hope it's just a worn seal.  Boots are definitely good all around, as are CV joints.  Taking it in first thing tomorrow morning.  Should I be proactive and replace both sides while I'm at it (if it's just the seals)?  Or leave well enough alone?

Rich
San Diego

--- On Wed, 9/22/10, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:

From: Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca>
Subject: Re: Manual Transmission Leaking at CV Joint
To: "Richard Koerner" <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Cc: "vanagon vanagon" <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Wednesday, September 22, 2010, 4:30 PM

probably the dished plastic seal on drive flange on trans. Simple and inexpensive fix if that's the problem (trans in place)

alistair


On 22-Sep-10, at 3:28 PM, Richard Koerner wrote:

Just got back from a 4,500 mile roadtrip without incident.  However, when parked in the garage, I noticed a leak on the concrete floor.  Looked up there....definitely leaking from the interface between inner CV Joint and 4 speed manual transmission.  Wiped the floor clean, and next day a new spot (about 4 inches in diameter) reappears WITHOUT having started engine or moving vehicle.  So not good news.....

I
 recently (about 6,000 miles ago) new Axles (Lobro CV Joints, rebuilt by GoWesty) on both sides.  I did add CV grease to the exterior of the new joints; they were wiped clean for shipping and GoWesty concurred that they needed additional CV grease.  I used 1 tube for all 4 joints when I did the installation.  Did I overdo it and blow out a seal of some kind?  Or just coincidence?

I had previously (about 30,000 miles ago) replaced the original gear oil with Redline MT-90 per List wisdom.  Car and motor and transmission all have now 186,000 of gentle freeway miles mostly.  Everything shifts, runs, sounds normal.

So, before I head to the mechanic, I wanted to get some advice....what is the probable problem, and what is the probable fix?  Can it be done with transmission in place and still connected to engine?  Any idea of what this might cost?

Rich
San
 Diego