transaxle seals

85carrera · 12-13-2006, 05:38 PM

so my seals around where the transaxle meets the transmission are shot and leaking tranny fluid all over the place. Are these easy to replace? it looks like i can just unblot the CV shaft from the CV end.....

on the american cars ive worked on (front wheel drive), i gotta remove the ENTIRE CV shaft cuz its all one piece. however.....this job on the porsche looks pretty easy...

85carrera · 12-14-2006, 10:21 AM

bump

Walt Fricke · 12-14-2006, 01:02 PM

Er, the transmission is often referred to as the transaxle.

But you must mean that tranny fluid is leaking from where the axles attach to the transmission. To the output flanges.

Yes, you can pull the CVs, drop the axles, and then remove the big bolt that holds the flanges to the innards (the diff, in fact). Then pull the output flanges and you can (carefully) pry out the seals.

And even more carefully replace them. They don't have a "stop" to prevent them from going too far in, and if pushed too far can rub against something moving inside. If not far enough in, the output flange can rub. But moving them in carefully so they clear the flange ought to do the trick.

Older transmissions had a "stretch" bolt holding the flange on, and we were adjured to replace these bolts upon removal. I never did, but the one you have has a more common bolt that is routinely reused by everyone.

To loosen/tighten this bolt you have to hold the flange. Putting two bolts into the flange and holding it with a long screwdriver or something similar will do the trick.

I've not done this with the transmission in the car, but it seems feasible. If your fluid level is high, you might lose some? Jacking the car way up at the rear (with jackstands) should move the fluid forward and lower the level.

Good luck

Walt Fricke

Jim Sims · 12-14-2006, 03:11 PM

"Older transmissions had a "stretch" bolt holding the flange on, and we were adjured to replace these bolts upon removal. I never did, but the one you have has a more common bolt that is routinely reused by everyone."

The factory shop manual does not instruct one to replace these flange output securing bolts (not even in the early 915's); the manual does recommend replacing parts such as shaft nuts and bearing retainer plate helical lock washers. These securing bolts are called stretch bolts but it is a misnomer as they are not like connecting rod bolts. They may be reused if they were not over torqued.