95 Voyager tranny/halfshaft problem

95 Voyager 3.3 OD tranny 217,000 miles

Friends van, she complained about week ago the tranny was starting to leak some fluid nothing real significant, made sure fluid level was ok. Today she stated that vehicle was making a wierd noise, I checked the fluid level again and it was at the full mark @ normal operating temp. Test drove it, there is a constant whininy growl (hard to describe but its kinda like splines not meshing. Put front end on jackstands, tested using reverse and drive it appears to be coming from drivers side. Looked for the source of tranny fluid leak and it is coming from the drivers side halfshaft tranny seal. I can move the halfshaft where it comes out of the tranny up and down a little. I am thinking either the halfshaft has moved out of the transaxle splines or the thrust bearing for the ring gear has gone bad. Anyone encounter this on their vans????

Little maintenance history:

Installed both sides cv halfshafts (IIRC Cardone) remanufactored @ 192,000 miles.

Installed center motor mount @ 192,550 (Carquest)

I am going to remove driver side halfshaft and check motor mounts tommorow morning, possibly take the back cover of transaxle to look at bearings. Doing this in apartment parking lot.

Any thoughts or tips, Thanks

More than likely she got it stuck in the snow. Ask her to be honest about it because the diff is probably out and it will save her money by not having to buy a case. Taking the cover on on the side ( the one in the wheel well) of the trans is not worth your time nothing to see there but 2 gears.

See this post>>> http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=948078

I doubt she got it stuck in the snow but a possibility. This is her only vehicle and is very animate about keeping it in good shape because she an not afford a different vehicle.

The cover I was talking about removing is the one in front of the tie rod (facing the firewall).

Fixed:

First I removed differentinal cover checking the pin and for carraige bearing condition. Everything seem fine so I removed the left halfshaft, that looked good but could feel about 1/16th to 1/8th inch movement side to side on the ring gear. Thought this was the problem, after more research found out that is acceptable.

This being the case I decided to start the vehicle and check it out with the halfshaft removed> NO NOISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I then checked the wheel bearing with the halfshaft removed, sounded real rough when turning. The thing is that I checked that last night first thing after removing wheel absolutely no play. When I test drove there was not any change in tone when turning left to right or vice versa. and like I said while turning the hub with the wheel removed I cound not notice it either. Live and learn.

Replaced left wheel bearing and all is good.