7 replies to this topic

[Bobbins]

In my attempts to solve a low down bad oil leak I need to fit the modified rod seal kit as supplied by Minispares. I assume that it’s a case of simply prising out the old seal and bush, fit the new o-ring/bush and seal and then the gaiter on the outside? Does the gaiter fit on the section of shaft outside the gearbox, ie. between the seal and connecting pin to the gear change?

Is the modified kit pretty reliable at solving leaks from the rod changer or is there anything else I can do as well to improve it? The gearbox is currently out if the car.

[Spider]

More or less as you have said here, however a few tips;-

 

     Be very careful getting the old seal out that you don't scratch or score the bore that it's in, or it will forever leak

     Don't fit the Gaiter - they cause more issues than they resolve.

 

Generally, these kits work well, but do have limits.

 

The reason these gearboxes leak from the shaft is that there's play and sometimes wear in the Gearbox Case that a bushing for the Interlock Spool and the Shaft (that runs inside that). With the amount of play they have, it takes the shaft outside the limits of the range of the Seal and so they end up with a Gap between the Shaft and the Seal on some point around the lips of the Seal. As these are a small dia, they're take up range is small, meaning the shaft doesn't need to move far off center before it's ineffective.

 

The Aluminum Bush goes a long way towards removing the play from the shaft and so the seal has a better chance of sealing ! 

 

I've used these with great results, but, if the Casing is quite worn, then these won't cut it.

[sledgehammer]

+1 on the rubber boot being a pain - jumps out of 2nd more often

 

I have fitted 2 seals - I cut one seal in half and glued it to the complete seal & left it in a vice overnight to cure

 

I have also loctighted the seal in place - (not the bush) , to stop it falling out

 

and it isn't leaking after a year - but it will eventually , they always do in the end , so I need to make another

 

PS - I spent ages trying to get the old bush out - all it would do is spin 

 

so ....

 

I attached an old vacuum cleaner over the hole - and it flew up the hose as soon as it was switched on

 

probably just luck , but it worked for me (don't use good vacuum cleaner - and always drain all oil first)

[Bobbins]

A big thank you for the advice.

I've now removed the seal and bush ... I removed the bush by carefully drilling a 2mm hole (not through!) and used a self tapper to draw it out, at which point I discovered it was already the Minispares type! The casing looks fine and I'm sure the o-ring has been doing its job, but there's noticeable play of the shaft inside the bush, too much I suspect for the seal to cope.

I'll try the "split twin seal" method, it sounds like a good idea.

[sledgehammer]

 

I'll try the "split twin seal" method, it sounds like a good idea.

 

Sadly I didn't take any pics of it - I think the phone was on charge

 

and I recon it will leak again - hopefully take longer with 2 seals , see what happens
 

Edited by sledgehammer, 25 October 2020 - 08:06 PM.

[Spider]

Ace idea there Sledghammer !

 

If we were smart,,, we'd drill and tap a couple of opposed say M3, in the new Bushes before we fit them, so we can get them back out at a later date. I must remember to do this next time I fit them !

[Bobbins]

Ace idea there Sledghammer !
 
If we were smart,,, we'd drill and tap a couple of opposed say M3, in the new Bushes before we fit them, so we can get them back out at a later date. I must remember to do this next time I fit them !

Good thinking!

One thing I did notice when removing the old seal was that the open side with the spring was towards the bush, the plain side outwards. Looking at the centre of the seal and the "direction" of the sealing section, I think it ought to be the other way round, open side outwards?

[GraemeC]

The open side always goes towards the fluid you are trying to hold in.