Is my shift rod bent?

[Gideon911]

Hey guys, recently removed my engine and trans to replace seals and various bits. I’m just about to put the engine and trans back in the car. Luckily (now rather than later) I noticed that my shift rod seal is leaking. I can replace it now before I put the engine and trans back in.

I’m a little concerned the rod was bent in the process of removing the engine and trans. While we were doing that, at one point the engine was quite low and a lot of the weight of the transmission was on that rod as it was still in the tunnel. I’m hoping that most likely it just put a little pressure on the seal (bending it) causing it to leak. Obviously worst case scenario here is that I’ve bent the rod itself. Would I be able to tell if the shift rod was bent at this stage?

Just looking at it, it looks OK. It goes in and out of gear smooth and visually does not look bent. I have not replaced the seal, but will do so as soon as the part comes in the mail.

As we struggled to get the shift coupler out of the tunnel hole, I found a small jack to lift and support the trans better as we worked to remove. We had the main jack towards the front of the engine during the removal process trying to have the support at what seemed to be the best balance point.

Appreciate any help and insight

[walt]

Very unlikely you bent that rod, grap the input shaft and take it thru the gears manually by hand. Also a good time to check your backup light switch and change the gear oil.

[Gideon911]

Originally Posted by walt

Very unlikely you bent that rod, grap the input shaft and take it thru the gears manually by hand. Also a good time to check your backup light switch and change the gear oil.

What is there to check on the back up light switch? I had to solder one of the wires back onto the switch. If those are known to leak it doesn't seem difficult to replace later on. I do not think mine was leaking at all..if they tend to leak..

I checked/topped off my gear oil. then discovered this shift rod seal leak. really glad I did. I dont think there's anyway it got bent. I had no fluid in the tunnel so I dont think it was leaking prior to removal the unit. I think it might have happened during the removal process.

I mated the trans back on the motor last week or I'd grab the input and try that. I'm not pulling that thing off again lol It was such a pain getting them back together.

[Gideon911]

In the parts catalog I found this seal for my car. But this doesn't look right. Now I'm just curious what this is..?

part #99911318540
https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/99911318540.htm?pn=999-113-185-40-OEM&fs=0

I'm positive the correct part is # 999-113-404-40-m204
https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/99911340440.htm?pn=999-113-404-40-M204&fs=0