92 caravan 3.3 transmission

Rschrei518 · #1 05-15-2007, 06:38 PM

a few years ago and around 50,000 miles ago i had my tranny rebuilt and after everything was fine for 50,000 miles lol but now i had a problem the high gear broke so they dropped the tranny and just changed the 2 parts which broke. the problem is since i got the car back the problem i have transmission fluid leaking from the axle seal i believe the area where the axle slides into under the vehicle there is a little lip with a gap i hope someone knows what i am talking about. i had this same problem last time i got the transmission rebuilt and i got stuck replacing the axle because i believe he told me it was not smooth or it was pitted after the axle still had a small leak brought it back and he changed the axle seal again and has been fine ever since. i just brought it back to the guy who fixed the high gear he pulled the axle replaced axle seal he told me if i still have a leak i will have to change the axle he told me the axle i have is not smooth and thats what may be causing it. guess what i got the car back and still have a small leak. I really don't feel like paying someone to change the axle again. should i leave it alone i don't think it is a large leak after i shut the car off i only see about 2 or 3 drops on the floor i don't know if it is leaking when i am driving. Is it hard to change the axle is this something i can do myself?

jsinton · #2 05-15-2007, 08:10 PM

You have to be careful when you pull the axle out not to damage the seal. It's easy to mess up the seal if you just slam the thing back in. If you already had the axle and seal replaced before, then I would say the problem is the mechanic and not the axle.

Probably it's only going to leak a little bit, so don't worry too much. Just keep an eye on the trans fluid, and change it a lot.

corning_d3 · #3 05-15-2007, 08:23 PM

Quote:

If you already had the axle and seal replaced before, then I would say the problem is the mechanic and not the axle.

I agree. Is he using any sealant between the seal/trans case surface? I use 3M adhesive, looks like yellow snot. If there's aren't any burrs or scratches where the seal fits in the case, then it's either a bad seal or a bad install, as long as the shaft isn't burred or grooved.

Rschrei518 · #4 05-15-2007, 10:32 PM

the guy mentioned to me that the shaft on the axle that the axle in there is not smooth and may be causing the leak. it is not to old it was replaced with the last transmission overhaul? what could be causing it to get rough?

what type of transmission fluid am i suppose to use in the a604.

I have done a lot of reading about this transmission and am really hoping they used the proper fluid. Is there any way i can tell by the color or anything?

Rschrei518 · #5 05-16-2007, 05:35 PM

I found out that i am suppose to use atf 3 or mopar 7176 is there anyway i can tell by the color or smell or anything. it is a very light red or a light pink color. Anyone have any input?

Rschrei518 · #6 05-20-2007, 12:19 PM

I have been watching the leak closely and sometimes it leaks more then other times. it is leaking under the vehicle there is a lip with a small gap under the vehicle next to where the axle slides into. can i take a hammer and bank it and try to minimize that gap or can i seal that gap in any way. I am really trying to avoid having to pay someone to replace the axle. If i wanted to do it myself is it a hard job?

jsinton · #7 05-20-2007, 04:19 PM

Your're not paying attention....

There is no problem with the axle, it's the mechanic messing up the seal. What you're describing is the seal leaking around the end of the trans housing extension. It's because the mechanic didn't put it in right in the first place when he replaced it the first time.

Your solutions are try to smear some rtv sealant around the metal lip of the seal or pull the axle and replace the seal again. DO NOT put a new axle in, it's just a story for the mechanic to sell you a new axle and deflect all the blame.

egc519mzl · #8 05-22-2007, 10:21 AM

Exactly the same problem with mine, 97 3.3. Mine is in the driver's side and I believe the same as yours because that side has the lip.
Anyway, I removed the axle and also the lip. The seal was kind of brittle. I am in the process of replacing the seal but I can not take it out. Is there any special tool for it?
Reschrei518, if this fix would solve my problem, I will let you know.

corning_d3 · #9 05-22-2007, 07:39 PM

The tool is shaped sorta like a tomahawk. I call it a seal puller. You should be able to rent one at parts store.

jsinton · #10 05-22-2007, 07:48 PM

My repair manual says just use a screw driver and pry it off. Just insert the screwdriver between the metal lip of the seal and the casing. It comes off pretty easy.

Rschrei518 · #11 05-24-2007, 03:42 AM

How bad was your leak from the axle seal and did you try maybe sealing the lip so it can't leak before you decided to pull the axle?

egc519mzl · #12 05-25-2007, 09:19 PM

The leak was really bad that it CEL'd and forced me not to use it. Yes, I tried sealing the lip but didn't work. In fact, it made it worse because I also removed the bolt, put a little bit of thread lock and some RTV on the thread. Not thinking of what the consequence might be if the bolt was removed.

I finished the project and re-registered the van today. I have driven it for 50 miles and I didn't see any leak nor a trace of wet from that area. The lip and the bottom of differential cover. BY the way, I also resealed the diff cover because I wasn't really sure where the leak was coming from.

Going back to my seal problem, I had that "lip" metal to the dealer to have them remove the seal and they didn't charge me. I didn't ask how they did it. The two local shops that I went before the dealer didn't commit that they could take it out.

egc519mzl · #13 05-29-2007, 10:43 AM

I drove the van to Atlantic City, NJ (about 250 miles one way) over the Memorial weekend and didn't see any sign of leakage. The ground is as dry as a desert.
Going back to your question on the "how bad the leak was". I remember it started with drips but it took several months (probably six months) before it leaked that badly.

Rschrei518 · #14 06-13-2007, 01:48 PM

I have been watching the leak and it is minor my question can i just try and seal the lip with rtv sealant. Will i do any damage by doing that i actually took a picture of where it is leaking from here is the link thanks for any input you may have

http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z...t=P1000184.jpg

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