matts95max

iTrader: (11)

I have a 95 5spd and noticed a leak coming from the axle seal on the drivers side. It seems pretty straight forward in that if I replace this seal, it should stop the leak.

My question is whether something inside the transmission caused this seal to start leaking or if the seal just went bad?

How long do I have before I need to have this seal replaced?


Thanks,
Matt

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

the seals wear out naturally over time. The rubber dries up, the constant rubbing of the axle as it turns all eventually doom the seal.

When exactly do you need to replace it?

A) Before all the oil leaks out

or

B) You get tired of the mess it is making.

matts95max

iTrader: (11)

any way to check the oil level in the transmission?

metalgod3082

* Deleted for incorrect information

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

^^^ Ignore that, that's for an automatic transmission. There is no dipstick for the 5 speed.

Remove the oil filler plug and see if you can detect oil in there. the pluf is on the front of the transmission. See page 9.

http://boredmder.com/FSMs/Nissan/Maxima/1995/MT.pdf

njmaxseltd

iTrader: (19)

The likely cause of the leak isn't necessarily the seal itself, but rather the differential bearings loosening up and causing unwanted play. If you can feel any side to side (not in , out) play in the drive shaft where it goes into the transmission, then replacing the seal isn't going to do you any good. You need to replace and re-shim the diff. bearings. This issue is very well documented on here. Do a quick search to find more information before you replace the seal and wind up with the same leak.

matts95max

iTrader: (11)

So I can check for play in that bearing by moving the axle from side to side while everything is still bolted up to the car?

From what it looks like, if it is the diff bearing, the transmission has to be completely taken apart to fix it?

njmaxseltd

iTrader: (19)

Yes

matts95max

iTrader: (11)

thats terrible.

Lethal

iTrader: (4)

Hey join the club! Mine just started leaking a couple weeks ago. Although mine was caused from the amazing mechanics at my local Nissan dealership not replacing the axle seals when they installed a new clutch. For your piece of mind, mine has been leaking for at least 2-3 weeks and the transmission fluid level is still full.

Seems like a pretty easy job, I got quoted something like 160$ for the dealership to do it on one side. Don't know if I'm going to buy to 'seal puller' and attempt this myself or just take it in.

matts95max

iTrader: (11)

If you decide to do it, make sure you don't scratch the inside casing where the seal sits when you pull the seal. That could be a way for the fluid to leak through the outer edge of the seal because the scratch kind of give the oil a pathway. ?? Not sure but better to be safe than sorry.

I dont care about doing the seal job, I just don't want to crack open the tranny to do the diff bearing job. Ive long viewed the tranny as a big scary monster. lol

Max_Gator

To check fluid level, open the fill plug in the front on level ground. Put your finger in the hole. The fluid level should be just under the plug.

When I fill, I fill until it comes out and then wait until it stops coming out.

As for the axle seal, I would pull the axle and inspect the seal. You should be able to tell if it is damaged. Of course that means that you have to drain most of your tranny fluid.