Drive shaft yoke leaking

Tday · #1 (**permalink**) 10-30-2007, 06:57 AM

Sorry to pepper the forum with questions, but as I get #183 back in shape there are some things surfacing. You'll see I have no mechanics experience but have a buddy that's helping out with a garage/lift/experience. I'll learn one step at a time.

I have a leak from the back of the transmission...not big, but puts a 4" damp spot on the garage floor after a drive when I look in the am. My buddy looked it over..."it's the drive line yoke...It's tight to the seal so it's not leaking around the outside...it's probably a defect...I can weld it." OK, so I'm guessing there is a plug or hole in the middle rather than OD seal being worn. Whew.

Anyone had this? Suggestions? Thanks,
Tom

patrickt · #2 (**permalink**) 10-30-2007, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tday

... I have no mechanics experience but have a buddy that's helping out ... "it's probably a defect...I can weld it."

Before you do anything, make absolutely sure that it's really the transmission that is leaking. For example, when my valve covers were weeping, the oil would seep out, almost invisibly, and track down the back of the block, over the bellhousing, to the Tremec, and then drip from the lowest portion of the transmission. If you didn't know what you were looking at you would have sworn that it was a leak from the transmission (but adding ultraviolet dye to the oil made it obvious to anyone). You can pick up a bottle of dye and a UV flashlight at AutoZone for about $15, and if that little damp area under your trans glows in the dark you can tell your buddy to put away his welder

.

Jim Doak · #3 (**permalink**) 10-30-2007, 11:14 AM

I used a new T-5 tranny in my car and when I first started driving it after the build I had a leak from the tail shaft. I assumed it was a bad seal and installed two or three seals in an attempt to fix the problem. The leak persisted. I finally replaced the slip yoke on the drive shaft with a new one. That fixed the problem.

I don't think a welder is the answer to your problem.

Tday · #4 (**permalink**) 10-30-2007, 11:17 AM

Good suggestion on the dye. And if it's a yoke, I'll surely want to replace it. I rolled my eyes at the welder idea too.

I'll figure out part no...if anyone knows it, please chime in. Will it be transmission specific, or BDR standard? It's a tremac 600. Thanks, Tom

JUS BIT · #5 (**permalink**) 10-30-2007, 08:06 PM

Tom, the input shaft on a Tremec TKO600 should be a 31 spline if I'm not mistaken. I think you can order a replacement directly from BDR. It may be almost cheaper to do it that way instead of running around searching out parts and trying to get someone to piece it back together.

Bests, James

Cashburn · #6 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 05:26 AM

It is a standard 31 spline yoke. You can get it from any Mustang shop like Mustangs Unlimited in Manchester, CT.

Jerry Clayton · #7 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 06:33 AM

There is a plug in the back of the yoke to close the hole from broaching the splines---it ususlly has a freeze plug/ welch/cup /expansion plug in it. The trans is probably overfull and the excess is leaking pass the splines and out a imperfection in the plug. Welding it will work just fine and won't cost you a arm and leg( or even a rib, maybe a couple beers)

If the trans is overfull, the next place it'll leak is out the imput and onto your clutch

Jerry

Tday · #8 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 09:21 AM

Thanks guys. We'll take a look at it today and if I have to, I'll order new. He's thinking it's just an imperfection as well. Tom

Tday · #9 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 05:36 PM

OK, here's the deal...Jerry nailed it...the hole at the back of the yoke was leaking through the plug as he surmised. A touch up weld and we're on our way. Thanks, Tom

Jerry Clayton · #10 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 06:18 PM

Check your fluid level ---it may be too full

Did the rear flange register fit tight? I worked on a BDR that had tossed the driveshaft where the register was loose, new shaft assy was the same way--probably off by .020 or so

Jerry

Tday · #11 (**permalink**) 10-31-2007, 06:37 PM

It goes back together tomorrow am so I'll let you know. Yep...there are lots of little roller bearings aren't there. Roger on the fluid level. Tom