So what's the damage?
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Hallsville, Tx.
So what's the damage?
I went on a ride yesterday, about 250 miles. About midway on the ride I discovered that I was leaking Transmission fluid. It didn't seem too bad at the time so I continued. When I was 20 miles from home, I slowed for a traffic signal and heard some noise (whine). I pulled over by a gas station and discovered the leak was much worse. So I added some oil and drove it the rest of the way home. Over night, by the looks of it, I lost the remainder of the oil on the garage floor. My question is; what kind of damage did I do? It shifted fine the whole way. I'm assuming that when I changed the front pulley over the winter, that I damaged the transmission main seal. Is there another place that would leak? The drain plug is still in place. Thanks.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Northern Ontario
I doubt if you did any damage at all but no guarantee, only definate way of finding out is to get in there and take a look. I'm going to take a guess and say you just lost the mainshaft seal.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Hallsville, Tx.
That's what I was thinking. I suppose it would be prudent to replace the seal, and flush the tranny with cheap oil before adding the good stuff.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,268
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From: Florida
I do not believe that all the oil could/did drain out unless the case is cracked open on the bottom. Thing to do first is clean it all up really well, put oil back in it and watch it. Do this before running again. If you see oil leaking find out from where and repair. If not fire it up and go for a ride come back and recheck. You'll know then what is needing your attention.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Hallsville, Tx.
I do not believe that all the oil could/did drain out unless the case is cracked open on the bottom. Thing to do first is clean it all up really well, put oil back in it and watch it. Do this before running again. If you see oil leaking find out from where and repair. If not fire it up and go for a ride come back and recheck. You'll know then what is needing your attention.
Elite HDF Member
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From: Bluffton, South Carolina
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Hallsville, Tx.
You are very close! The dammed pulley I bought is flat on the back while the original 32 tooth pulley has 1/8" raised surface which now I know, needs to be there! So much for doing winter projects in an unheated garage! The spacer under the tranny seal had to have been walking back and forth, acting like a pump! So, now to make a parts list up and head to the local stealer. Thw "spacer/ seal surface " still looks good but in the interest of not doing it over, I'm going to price it and pick it up if it's within reason. This can go in the books as one of those dumbazz moments!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
A gearbox that is low on oil can make a lot of noise but still come back to life when you put oil in. Ball bearings need very little oil to run.
If it whines when you refill it then strip it down.
If it whines when you refill it then strip it down.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Farmington ,MS
Did it quiet down when you added oil?