Ford AXOD transaxle question

[jaybee]

I'm trying to track down a fluid leak on a '95 Ford AXOD transaxle. Based on where I see the case washed with fluid and drips hanging it appears to be coming from the stamped steel cover on the far end of the transaxle, just ahead of the half shaft. This would be the end opposite the torque converter.

What's behind that cover? Is it submerged in fluid or is this area supposed to be dry? If it's a wet area it'll be an easy fix, like a pan gasket. If it's a dry area something's leaking behind that cover.

[wayne petty]

its got liquid down near the bottom...

but spray all over the place probably.. take a look at a blow up image.

http://www.makcotransmissionparts.com/mm5/graphics/Catalog-pdf/AXOD.pdf


this may also help

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/8849/p1010005o.jpg

look in this second image where the turbine speed sensor is above the output shaft... small chance that might be leaking..   but it's worth a look...

you might want to pressure wash the area... then run a wire brush around the outer edge of the gasket.. so you don't drop crud in when pulling the side cover..

the side cover could also just be slightly loose...

[jaybee]

Interesting. Looks like that cover protects electronic parts rather than moving parts...that sort of changes things.

If something is leaking under the cover I'd guess it's the oil temperature sensor. That Turbine Speed Sensor is another possibility. I don't think that's it but it could be spraying on that area and running down around the corner.

[wayne petty]

is this an external leak??? where the oil eventually ends up on the ground...

then. its the cover gasket... the cover damaged by debris.. the turbine speed sensor oring... the oil cooler pipe quick connects that were NOT removed or installed properly...

there is also the chance.. and i don't know if it effects this model.. where the bearing cones that center the differential have gotten out of adjustment allowing the differential and the inner CV joint shafts to move around slightly.. this moves them past the range of the seal lips so fluid leaks...

for some models as a PATCH.. to keep them going for a few more months... there are support bearings to replace and relocate the seals... keeping the diff and the axles centered..  ending the leak until the whole thing blows up..




look at the oil cooler tube connections.. that is a major source of leaks in fords..  i am not sure if this effects the big units like you have.. but i ran across a bunch of the smaller escort versions that somebody had removed the transmission..  without using the disconnect tool.. they just left the cooler line plugged in and unscrewed the adaptor. when they put the transmission back in.. the screwed the tube with the adaptor back in.  but it usually goes in at an angle and strips the threads out of the case... i have found that i can use a 1/4" nipple and a coupling to fix this by going deeper into the threads in the case..

[jaybee]

is this an external leak??? where the oil eventually ends up on the ground...

then. its the cover gasket... the cover damaged by debris.. the turbine speed sensor oring... the oil cooler pipe quick connects that were NOT removed or installed properly...

there is also the chance.. and i don't know if it effects this model.. where the bearing cones that center the differential have gotten out of adjustment allowing the differential and the inner CV joint shafts to move around slightly.. this moves them past the range of the seal lips so fluid leaks...

for some models as a PATCH.. to keep them going for a few more months... there are support bearings to replace and relocate the seals... keeping the diff and the axles centered..  ending the leak until the whole thing blows up..




look at the oil cooler tube connections.. that is a major source of leaks in fords..  i am not sure if this effects the big units like you have.. but i ran across a bunch of the smaller escort versions that somebody had removed the transmission..  without using the disconnect tool.. they just left the cooler line plugged in and unscrewed the adaptor. when they put the transmission back in.. the screwed the tube with the adaptor back in.  but it usually goes in at an angle and strips the threads out of the case... i have found that i can use a 1/4" nipple and a coupling to fix this by going deeper into the threads in the case..

Yes it's an external lip, no it doesn't show any signs of leakage around the halfshafts. Same for the cooler lines.

Therefore it's a leaking cover gasket, or the TSS O-ring.

Thanks for your help!