850 Replacement Axle Issue

[aggarcia]

Last Sunday I replaced the right axle shaft with a rebuilt unit from a local supplier. I also replaced the seal because it was weeping a dripple of ATF.

I had a 600 mile trip on Monday. I noticed Monday before work that the new seal was leaking. Before the trip I re-installed old seal because of time. Well 200 miles into the trip I stopped for gas and noticed a small ATF leak. I just kept topping up the trans every couple of hours. I did not drive it again this week waiting for parts.

Today I jacked up car and instantly fluid started pouring from the trans. Turns out the retainer for the bearing was floating loose on the shaft. This allowed the shaft to pull enough out to really leak some fluid. I peaned the surface added red loctite and pressed the retainer back into place.

Any body ever have this issue? If my fix does not hold I will get a replacement shaft. Strange.

AG

[info2x]

So are you saying that the bearing had side to side play in it?

[aggarcia]

More than that. There is a retainer on the axle shaft that locates the bearing on the axle shaft. The retainer had come all the way off the axle and was bouncing along the shaft. This in turn allowed shaft to move in and out. That retainer keeps the bearing in place and locates the axle shaft.

AG

[Bah]

I have no clue what he's talking about in this thread, but if its the holder, that's like a U-shape, That's held in with 2 bolts....or is he talking about the axle itself?

But it sounds like the axle you got is a POS and i'd return it anyways. i installed my Empi and had no such problems and i even stripped the heads off one of the retainer bolts cause i didn't have the torque spec.

[aggarcia]

The bearing that is on the axle ( it bolts to block via that 2 bolt flange ) is held in the proper location by the inner CV on one side and a press fit metal retainer. Unless you really look at the bearing assembly you will not realize it is there. This retainer allows for replacement of the bearing and proper locating of the axle within the body.

Since the retainer popped off, the axle could move in and out of the transmission splints. When the axle moved out, it was enough to not seal against the axle seal.

The axle itself looks good, but for some reason the retainer came up seated.

AG

[volvoskiah]

The bearing that is on the axle ( it bolts to block via that 2 bolt flange ) is held in the proper location by the inner CV on one side and a press fit metal retainer. Unless you really look at the bearing assembly you will not realize it is there. This retainer allows for replacement of the bearing and proper locating of the axle within the body.

Since the retainer popped off, the axle could move in and out of the transmission splints. When the axle moved out, it was enough to not seal against the axle seal.

The axle itself looks good, but for some reason the retainer came up seated.

AG

make sure the bearing isn't seized. the 96R i bought was said to have a bad transmission but it was the bearing on the axle that seized and wore away at the "bearing holder" thing. I just went to the yard and picked up a new piece. works like a charm now. when you reinstall the axle, make sure it is all the way in!

[aggarcia]

It was a "rebuilt" shaft. The bearing spins freely. Not sure why it happened. I drove around today and my repair of the retainer is still ok. Not a drop of fluid out of the output seal.

AG