V1 Stretch’s ext. track goblin #386 SS/TC

[Rauq]

Input shaft seal leak will tend to drip fluid when parked, as the bellhousing collects fluid which later runs down. It also pools while driving, and when making a left turn, flows out and creates a smoke show when it hits the exhaust. Ask me how I know

 

[Stretch2126]

Input shaft seal leak will tend to drip fluid when parked, as the bellhousing collects fluid which later runs down. It also pools while driving, and when making a left turn, flows out and creates a smoke show when it hits the exhaust. Ask me how I know

That sounds really familiar. I just ordered some seals. Now time for the teardown again

 

[Rauq]

This was after my F23 swap. As far as I could tell, the input shaft seal was integral to the slave cylinder, so I had to buy a new one. Did you manage to find just the input shaft seal? I don't think the F35 slave cylinder was that different to the F23.

 

[Stretch2126]

This was after my F23 swap. As far as I could tell, the input shaft seal was integral to the slave cylinder, so I had to buy a new one. Did you manage to find just the input shaft seal? I don't think the F35 slave cylinder was that different to the F23.

Yeah I recently changed the slave cylinder but didn’t change the input seal. It could’ve got metal shavings in it or be old. It’s got 130k miles so I’ll see later when I pull it out

 

[Rauq]

Sorry if this wasn't clear- the input shaft seal is part of the slave cylinder, so as far as I could tell, you can't replace just the input shaft seal. If you replaced the slave cylinder, it should be a new input shaft seal.

I started with a brand new OEM slave cylinder, cleaned and lubed the input shaft sealing surface, slid it into position carefully, did everything right (I think) and still ended up with a torn input shaft seal. I never did figure out if it was always torn or if it was just a fluke, but once I put a second brand new OEM slave cylinder on, my leak went away. However, given that you have to slide the slave cylinder over the input shaft, it's definitely feasible that you could have torn the seal over the splines on the input shaft.

 

[Gtstorey]

You might want to wrap some tape around the shaft when sliding the seal into place. I vaguely remember maybe doing this on mine.

 

[Stretch2126]

Sorry if this wasn't clear- the input shaft seal is part of the slave cylinder, so as far as I could tell, you can't replace just the input shaft seal. If you replaced the slave cylinder, it should be a new input shaft seal.

I started with a brand new OEM slave cylinder, cleaned and lubed the input shaft sealing surface, slid it into position carefully, did everything right (I think) and still ended up with a torn input shaft seal. I never did figure out if it was always torn or if it was just a fluke, but once I put a second brand new OEM slave cylinder on, my leak went away. However, given that you have to slide the slave cylinder over the input shaft, it's definitely feasible that you could have torn the seal over the splines on the input shaft.

Oh I see. I wasn’t sure if I could just take it back off and replace one. That’s even if it’s leaking from there. I’m gonna take it apart tomorrow afternoon and follow up with what I find.

 

[Stretch2126]

You might want to wrap some tape around the shaft when sliding the seal into place. I vaguely remember maybe doing this on mine.

I thought I saw somewhere on a cobalt forum where they grease the splines to make it easier to put back in. I might try that as well.

 

[Gtstorey]

We used to always use packing tape on motorcycle fork seals that had threads at the end. That is a little different than here since the threads where perpendicular to sliding the seal. But you should pretty much always lube seals before installing.

 

[Stretch2126]

So I got everything apart and it’s leaking from behind the slave. I’m not sure if it’s from the bolt holes that hold it or the gasket. The gaskets on the back look good.

 

[Rttoys]

Do the bolts go all the way through? If so, I’d add some thread sealer

 

[Stretch2126]

Do the bolts go all the way through? If so, I’d add some thread sealer

I added blue Loctite, then Teflon tape, then Loctite again lol. I’m praying this is the last time I have to take this transmission out for the meantime.

 

[Stretch2126]

So I ran the car. Still leaking a little but I don’t know if it’s leftover from the bottom of the case. I also put the clutch block on wrong at first so it got a bunch of brake fluid in it. Now it’s not slinging oil on the back of the exhaust or frame though. I’ll drive it a couple more times and see if it slows down or stops. If not I’ll tear it apart next weekend and put some sort of sealant on the back of the Throwout bearing I guess

 

[Rauq]

I have an F35 laying on the ground in my garage so I can check tonight, but I don't think those bolt have fluid behind them. The back of the slave cylinder, though, does have a gasket on it that seals transmission fluid. I would imagine a leak there would be very similar to an input shaft seal leak, although maybe slightly less likely to leak trans fluid onto the clutch disc as I experienced.

 

[Stretch2126]

I have an F35 laying on the ground in my garage so I can check tonight, but I don't think those bolt have fluid behind them. The back of the slave cylinder, though, does have a gasket on it that seals transmission fluid. I would imagine a leak there would be very similar to an input shaft seal leak, although maybe slightly less likely to leak trans fluid onto the clutch disc as I experienced.

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My I can see the gears through mine but I think you’re right with the seal on the back. I have it but it still seems to leak a little bit. It’s not slinging it from the flywheel now, but it might not be pooled up yet because a lot of oil feel out when I split the housing from the block. This Throwout bearing is a week old at this point and leaked from the start so I don’t know if I got a bad one or if it’s coming from somewhere else.

 

[Stretch2126]

I’ve taken the transmission out again today with gear oil pooled up in it as it did before. I don’t see a crack so I’m looking at the TOB but the seals look good. I’m thinking of trying rtv on the back of it to stop the leak. The seals on the bearing look fine. Not cuts or deformities so I’m not sure why it’s still leaking unless I just got a faulty TOB.

 

[Stretch2126]

I’ve found the possible culprit. One side of the seal in the TOB is slightly uneven just by a hair.

 

[Stretch2126]

So we’ve finally made some progress. The gear oil leak has seemed to stop. But now the clutch elbow is doing something funny. Keep in mind I have the original one and a new one from ZZP, as well as a new clutch pipe.
We bleed the clutch and works good last night. Next day it leaks from the elbow. It did this another time to and just taking it off and putting it back on fixes it temporarily. But then the next day its back to square one? It’s not hard to change or expensive, but strange that its good one day and after sitting it gives up.

 

[Rauq]

When you install the elbow, is the seal on the nipple or inside the elbow? I had issues and read about others having the same when the seal is inside the elbow upon installation. When the seal's on the nipple, no problem.

 

[Stretch2126]

I’ve seen it too. I always put the cap on the nipple first and it works after we bleed it. Then the next day it’s like there’s no seal at all. It’s a bit strange