Transmission Output Stub Axle?

[seventythree]

I noticed a slow leak (seepage) from the driver side transmission output shaft seal. Once I removed the inboard CV joint, I was horrified by how the CV grease I had packed in there (the blue stuff I had bought from a list member back in 2002) had caked up. So, refusing to believe that the grease was no good, I started thinking about what keeps the trans fluid from getting into the inboard CV joint? The tension bolt that secures the stub axle to the differential has a thick steel washer that looks nothing like a crush gasket. So, why wouldn't the trany fluid leak into the CV joint and cake-up the grease? Come to think of it, that is the side where grease, or trany fluid (both are blue in this case) started spraying the under side of the car for sometime after I had rebuilt the drive shafts.

Any and all input would be appreciated.

TIA

[djpateman]

Did you use the proper CV joint gaskets?

[seventythree]

Absolutely, but that would prevent CV grease from leaking out. What I am wondering about is Tranny fluid leaking into the CV joint from the hole in the center of the stub-axle. That hole is sealed by the washer under the tension bolt, but in case of surface imperfections, a hard steel washer won't be very effective in preventing leakage.

[Matt Monson]

When the car is at rest and level, the bolt hole is below the fill level of of the gearbox.