Transmission is out, what maintenance should I do?

barzee · 09-04-2014, 09:23 PM

I removed the transmission from my 1987 924S today on my way to removing the gasoline tank. The tranny is covered in oil and grime. While I have the tranny on the ground what maintenance should I perform on it?

JJR512 · 09-04-2014, 10:55 PM

I am curious to know the answer as well, since I'm going to be pulling my transmission soon as part of a clutch replacement.

I might suggest checking the transaxle oil and draining/replacing. Curiously, draining/filling wasn't part of the instructions I read for dropping the transmission, so I guess you don't need to drain the oil to remove the transmission. Either that, or they thought it was so obvious that it didn't need to be mentioned.

Here is a very good set of instructions for actually flushing your transmission, not just draining and refilling. Note that some of this will need to be done after you reinstall the transmission.

grendiers · 09-05-2014, 05:02 AM

You could try and figure out where the gear oil is leaking from. Carrier bearing seals can go out, leading to bearings grinding into dust. Or, they'll howl quite a bit! If the 'bellhousing' portion is clean, I'd not replace the output shaft seal. They stay quite pliable over the years. At least on two trannies I've owned.

mytrplseven · mytrplseven's Garage

CV joints will throw greasy oil all around the output shaft areas. WYIT (While You're In There) I would do the following: Change the transaxle oil (WT90), replace the output shaft seals, Pull the flywheel (buy new bolts) and replace the rear main crankshaft seal, replace the clutch fork bearings (there's a lot of forum posts on this part) and install a short shifter and shifter link from Only944.com. You'll love this particular item, it reduces shift throw 30% in all axis.
Have fun.

sausagehacker · sausagehacker's Garage

A cheap and worthwhile mod is to replace the shifter linkage arm with one from Only944, it makes shifting nicer.

Shift Linkage Arm - Only944.com Awesome new Porsche 944 parts

As mytrplseven said, the Only944 linkage is great too. No better time to install either one.

If you're changing the gear oil, I would recommend also replacing the fill/drain plugs.

Get 2 of these: Pelican Parts - Product Information: WHT-001-937-OEM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mytrplseven

...Pull the flywheel (buy new bolts) and replace the rear main crankshaft seal, replace the clutch fork bearings (there's a lot of forum posts on this part)...

Doesn't all that require removing the torque tube? Shouldn't have to do that for gas tank service.

Also, powerwash the trans before reinstall, and repack CV axles with fresh grease. When I did this, I also replaced the CV axle bolts with new ones.

JJR512 · 09-05-2014, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sausagehacker

Also, powerwash the trans before reinstall, and repack CV axles with fresh grease. When I did this, I also replaced the CV axle bolts with new ones.

What specific grease do you use to repack the CV axles?

M. Murphy · M. Murphy's Garage

I'm with Sausagehacker on this but go one better. Do the whole only944 shortshifter/shifter arm/ shifter(cockpit) change. You will not be sorry. Been there done that and can't rave enough about the shifting. NAPA can get you the needed moly grease for the CV joints.

JohnnyRevs · 09-05-2014, 02:18 PM

Mines out too (transaxle, that is) and also mucky / oily. (I'm replacing all fuel hoses and have pulled the tank etc)

After power wash, is it worth painting up / doing any preventative painting / treating.

AFAIK, it's aluminium, so shouldn't rust anyway (?) Is sand-blasting preferable ?

Have on my list to do the CV joints & bearings whilst the half-shafts are out. Not keen on the short shift just yet!

I'm also doing a bit of cleaning up and rust prevention under the car whilst all is exposed. Any recommendations for that ? I've seen this product called POR15 rust prevention - originates in US, so wondering has anyone used it?

JJR512 · 09-05-2014, 02:34 PM

If any of the CV joints look rough, consider replacements: Pelican Parts - Product Information: 944-331-903-00-M60

Arizona_928 · 09-08-2014, 12:36 PM

mind as rebuild it

Dave Colangelo · Dave Colangelo's Garage

Make sure you replace the lunar wane shaft to reduce side fumbling, its also a good idea to check your cardinal grammeters to make sure they are in sync, there is a video guide here with an overview of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLDgQg6bq7o

And rebuild the CV Joints. The boot and grease kit is cheap, its easy to do and will make the drive a bit smoother. I had 2 ripped boots on my car when I went in to rebuild them. Remember to get fresh bolts to put them back on with, and for your own sanity get a decent cheese head socket to remove said bolts.

Regards
Dave

John_AZ · 09-08-2014, 02:05 PM

Thanks Dave,

I also watched Version 2 and make sure to turn ON the cc-closed captions to understand better.

914efi · 09-09-2014, 12:23 PM

Nobody mentioning fuel lines above tank?

Jfrahm · 09-09-2014, 12:45 PM

Fuel lines would be smart.

What do people use for anti-seize on the trans plugs? Teflon tape? Copper? I suggest busting these loose with the trans still on the car.

Arizona_928 · 09-09-2014, 02:49 PM

Reseal it if you want. I would change the oil and chug on. CV's Is smart to repack them.

sausagehacker · sausagehacker's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jfrahm

Fuel lines would be smart.

What do people use for anti-seize on the trans plugs? Teflon tape? Copper? I suggest busting these loose with the trans still on the car.

+1 for teflon tape. For me, it really impacted the torque spec, so use good judgement. Using the proper tool is also important... I almost stripped one using a generic 17mm drain plug socket (apparently the corners were slightly rounded).

Get one of these:

H17 Long Impact Socket Bit CR MO Industrial Grade Metric Hex 17mm w 1 2" Drive | eBay

Dave Colangelo · Dave Colangelo's Garage

You should not use Teflon tape on these drain plugs for the same reasons you should not use it on fuel lines. Use a copper washer if you need to seal something. You could run the risk of the trans fluid eating the Teflon tape (unlikely) but just something to think about. Proper torque and routine maintenance should keep it from seizing. If you really are going to do it, get the Teflon tape made for fuel lines.

Regards
Dave

horsman_f3 · horsman_f3's Garage

Is it possible to change the tranny mount without removing the whole tranny??

Arizona_928 · 09-10-2014, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Colangelo

You should not use Teflon tape on these drain plugs for the same reasons you should not use it on fuel lines. Use a copper washer if you need to seal something. You could run the risk of the trans fluid eating the Teflon tape (unlikely) but just something to think about. Proper torque and routine maintenance should keep it from seizing. If you really are going to do it, get the Teflon tape made for fuel lines.

Regards
Dave

torque values change with that sorta stuff too.

John_AZ · 09-10-2014, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Colangelo

You should not use Teflon tape on these drain plugs for the same reasons you should not use it on fuel lines. Use a copper washer if you need to seal something. You could run the risk of the trans fluid eating the Teflon tape (unlikely) but just something to think about. Proper torque and routine maintenance should keep it from seizing. If you really are going to do it, get the Teflon tape made for fuel lines.

Regards
Dave

Pro transaxle rebuilder "Gears" on the Samba site recommends use of teflon tape on transaxle drain plug to stop the drips and ease of plug removal.

YMMV

J_AZ