I have a swing axle setup on the car...and oil leaking at a fair rate from the boots - which're split/shot. New seals/boots? Or something more serious? I was planning on a Rancho trans someday, but...
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I have a swing axle setup on the car...and oil leaking at a fair rate from the boots - which're split/shot. New seals/boots? Or something more serious? I was planning on a Rancho trans someday, but...
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say it's likely the boots. The accordion rubber will wear out with the motion of the axles over time.
That fluid that's leaking is probably finding an easy path out.
Split axle boots are really easy to come by, a cinch to put on and really will make a difference if you're good about the installation.
If the gearbox sounds good and shifts the way it's supposed to, I wouldn't worry all that much.
There is, probably, cause to take that (17mm?) plug loose on the driver's side, though, and do the nasty. There's a plug in the bottom, too. They're Allen-headed 17s, if memory serves, and you can get a socket at a VW shop for not a lot of money that'll fit. Drain the gearbox if you want, or just leave the bottom plug in and fill the tranny back up to replenish whatever you've lost.
It'll probably be a bitch to get a piece of tubing in there to pour some more gear oil in ...
Jack up the rear of the car -- after the new boots are on, mind you -- so the axles droop. While they're pointing downward, pour the new fluid in the hole on the side of the tranny case. The gear oil lubricates the axles on a swing-axle car, so you need enough fluid in there that there will always be some slapping around in the tubes.
Once you see the level of oil hit the bottom lip of the hole (I know, Vince.), then screw that plug back in and call it a day.
You should be trouble-free for lots of miles.
Good luck!
That fluid that's leaking is probably finding an easy path out.
Split axle boots are really easy to come by, a cinch to put on and really will make a difference if you're good about the installation.
If the gearbox sounds good and shifts the way it's supposed to, I wouldn't worry all that much.
There is, probably, cause to take that (17mm?) plug loose on the driver's side, though, and do the nasty. There's a plug in the bottom, too. They're Allen-headed 17s, if memory serves, and you can get a socket at a VW shop for not a lot of money that'll fit. Drain the gearbox if you want, or just leave the bottom plug in and fill the tranny back up to replenish whatever you've lost.
It'll probably be a bitch to get a piece of tubing in there to pour some more gear oil in ...
Jack up the rear of the car -- after the new boots are on, mind you -- so the axles droop. While they're pointing downward, pour the new fluid in the hole on the side of the tranny case. The gear oil lubricates the axles on a swing-axle car, so you need enough fluid in there that there will always be some slapping around in the tubes.
Once you see the level of oil hit the bottom lip of the hole (I know, Vince.), then screw that plug back in and call it a day.
You should be trouble-free for lots of miles.
Good luck!
Trying to pour gear oil is a real bitch. Most auto parts stores sell a hand pump complete with clear hose. Screw the pump onto the bottle of gear oil and pump until your arm goes numb.
Get an enema ball or an empty plastic restaurant catsup squeeze bottle, both work well.
Alan, those take soooooo long to do, The plastic pump is only around $5.00
Besides, who has a spare enema laying around??? Yuk
Besides, who has a spare enema laying around??? Yuk
THAT was funny!
I have two and will share...
Have they been used???
To Much Information
Dave, heading down your way this morning. Going to spend a week at the Chula Vista RV park.
Larry,
Cool, towing anything behind your RV? I might be cruising around Sun AM before Dad's Day events.
Will P is probably out surfing right now like I should be.
Maybe schedule permitting we can get together. There is a great bird sanctuary tidelands in Chula Vista I have never been to and heard good things about. Also always Old Town Mexican Reasturant.
Dave
619-677-0221
Cool, towing anything behind your RV? I might be cruising around Sun AM before Dad's Day events.
Will P is probably out surfing right now like I should be.
Maybe schedule permitting we can get together. There is a great bird sanctuary tidelands in Chula Vista I have never been to and heard good things about. Also always Old Town Mexican Reasturant.
Dave
619-677-0221
If you're cruising through on Sunday, that would work out great. Between my wife and her sister, they have the week planned but Sunday morning is open.
here's a photo of my rig and ""IF"" you drive into the park, you can just ask at the desk which spot I'm parked in
cell (909) 261-7004
here's a photo of my rig and ""IF"" you drive into the park, you can just ask at the desk which spot I'm parked in
cell (909) 261-7004
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If not Sunday then maybe Dinner somewhere during the week.
Cheers
Dave
If not Sunday then maybe Dinner somewhere during the week.
Cheers
Dave
Cory, I just ordered a set of split boots the other day. Is there something else to do in there before I put on the new ones? Grease or anything like that? I will also change my tran. lube at the same time, and I thought the trans. was supposed to be sittig level when filled. Suggestions on lube? Thanks. Al
Nothing to it, just make sure the seam is horizontal to the ground. If it's up, it will eventually wear along the seam, if it's down, it will leak.
Horizontal is fine for the transaxle when you drain. Just make sure you remove the fill plug before you remove the drain plug. (The reason::: If the fill plug sticks and you drain the fluid, you're in trouble)
80-90 oil is just fine. If you want to spend a bunch of money, buy Swepco 201 gear oil Expensive, pretty blue color, but probably not needed for your transaxle.
Horizontal is fine for the transaxle when you drain. Just make sure you remove the fill plug before you remove the drain plug. (The reason::: If the fill plug sticks and you drain the fluid, you're in trouble)
80-90 oil is just fine. If you want to spend a bunch of money, buy Swepco 201 gear oil Expensive, pretty blue color, but probably not needed for your transaxle.
i tried synthetic gear oil and my axle seals started to leak onto the rims, so i switched back and no more leaks.
Larry, you've been at this a lot longer than I have.
Do you have any wisdom on the axle tubes being free to hang when refilling?
Sartwell's advice on every swing-axle car we ever did was to fill the transaxle with the car on a floor jack.
Do you have any wisdom on the axle tubes being free to hang when refilling?
Sartwell's advice on every swing-axle car we ever did was to fill the transaxle with the car on a floor jack.
Thanks , good info. The boots that are in there now have the split at the top and they have split open at the bottom from wear or whatever. I would have re-installed them in the same position with the same result eventually. (good save)
Cory, in most cases (unless you have 5 degree's of negative camber) the axles tubes are in the down position. I've always drained, refilled and got back on the road without worrying too much about axle tube position