Leak between transmission and transfer case
- Thread starter Qyota
- Start date
Qyota
New member
I am now more skeptical that this is the issue (at least for me). I haven't driven the truck for a week, and I have been drying the leak area almost daily...and the drip always comes back. This would be pretty difficult to do if the leak was at the top of the t-case. I still think it's coming from the input shaft and leaking through the trans/t-case connection. Guess I'll have to take it in...grrr.
Qyota
New member
OK, replaced the gasket, finally. Oddly enough, on my truck (99 Limited with multi-mode 4x4), the gasket was just paper. No rubber, no metal sandwiched between.
After a short test drive, it appears that this is not the source of the leak, as there was again a drip hanging from the transmission/transfer joint. I dried it off and will check again tomorrow...but it doesn't look good. If it's still leaking, I'll take the shifters out (again), and see if the new gasket is leaking. If so, I might just use the RTV after all.
Grrr.
After a short test drive, it appears that this is not the source of the leak, as there was again a drip hanging from the transmission/transfer joint. I dried it off and will check again tomorrow...but it doesn't look good. If it's still leaking, I'll take the shifters out (again), and see if the new gasket is leaking. If so, I might just use the RTV after all.
Grrr.
spongerx
Member
Could it possibly be the front driveline seals? I was hesitant to chime in on this because I changed them a while ago and don't think I can be much help. But I remember that the fluid was trickling down and dripping from the small skid plate under the transfer case drain plug.
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Qyota
New member
Hey spongerx. This is definitely not coming from the front output of the t-case. I won't be able to take the shifters out again until maybe tonight...to see if it's still wet around the t-case shifter gasket.
At one point, the shifter assembly must have been removed and replaced, because there is a small bit of damage to the mating surfaces (top of t-case and bottom of shifter assembly plate), as if the retention spring wasn't aligned properly and they torqued the shifter assembly back down on the t-case. So, I'm thinking I'll be needing that RTV to fill that "dent" in the mating surfaces.
Just glad it's a slow leak, because I just don't have any time to work on this right now!
At one point, the shifter assembly must have been removed and replaced, because there is a small bit of damage to the mating surfaces (top of t-case and bottom of shifter assembly plate), as if the retention spring wasn't aligned properly and they torqued the shifter assembly back down on the t-case. So, I'm thinking I'll be needing that RTV to fill that "dent" in the mating surfaces.
Just glad it's a slow leak, because I just don't have any time to work on this right now!
Qyota
New member
Also, my t-case shifter did not have a poly ball on the end, as did ryani's truck. The end of the shifter was hemi-spherical and all steel, with a two-coil spring attached to the shifter assembly base. The spring is there to push the lever back to the left automatically if/when you move it to the right as if you were to put it into 4Low.
So, there are some certain differences between t-case shifters here...
So, there are some certain differences between t-case shifters here...
Qyota
New member
Pics of the t-case shifter assembly / base from my '99 limited. It does look like the seal has been leaking, and crumbling apart in places. Also, in the first image, you can see the dent that the spring left behind when this assembly was installed who knows how long ago.
Now, the question is. If the new gasket is leaking, do I even use it, or just go with straight RTV?
:artist:
Now, the question is. If the new gasket is leaking, do I even use it, or just go with straight RTV?
:artist:
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Qyota
New member
Took it back out today, since replacing the gasket did nothing to stop the leak. What I found was, I do indeed have that metal spacer and another paper gasket below it (identical to the top one). So, on my 99, it goes shifter base - paper gasket - metal spacer - paper gasket - transfer case.
Needless to say, I kicked myself for not realizing that metal was a shim (which also holds down the shift lever spring), and for thinking that was the top of the t-case. I took the shim and the bottom gasket out and cleaned everything up with steel wool. Then I de-greased all the mating surfaces and put my new paper gasket on the t-case surface. Then I RTV'd (the orange stuff) the shim to the shifter base.
If this fails, I'll take it out a third (or is that a fourth?) time and RTV both surfaces (nixing both paper gaskets...which seem worthless anyway).
All this, and I'm STILL not certain this will fix it. Joy of joys. Luckily, I'm getting really good at taking this thing apart.
Needless to say, I kicked myself for not realizing that metal was a shim (which also holds down the shift lever spring), and for thinking that was the top of the t-case. I took the shim and the bottom gasket out and cleaned everything up with steel wool. Then I de-greased all the mating surfaces and put my new paper gasket on the t-case surface. Then I RTV'd (the orange stuff) the shim to the shifter base.
If this fails, I'll take it out a third (or is that a fourth?) time and RTV both surfaces (nixing both paper gaskets...which seem worthless anyway).
All this, and I'm STILL not certain this will fix it. Joy of joys. Luckily, I'm getting really good at taking this thing apart.
Qyota
New member
Well, after the RTV treatment replacing the top gasket, it's still leaking. It may be lessened, though. If that's the case, I'll probably pop it out one more time to RTV the lower gasket.
I just know this isn't the leak, though. I really wish there was a good Toyota indie around here that could look at it for me.
I just know this isn't the leak, though. I really wish there was a good Toyota indie around here that could look at it for me.
Hi Qyota,
Though this is an old thread, I am very curious if you were able to identify the location of the leak...
I am having the leaks exactly like yours.
thanks.
Hi Guys,
I have a 2007 4Runner 4WD. I recently had someone rear end me really bad that the whole front of his car collapsed and the car collapsed under the tow hitch of my Toyota. The wreck bent the tow hitch bracket down and also dislocated the tail pipe.
Went to a body shop, everything was replaced and seemed to ride fine.
And then I noticed this oil leak on my garage floor.
I never had any leaks before. So when I told this to the body shop, he says, well the truck has 120 k miles on it and these things are bound to happen.
But I Insisted that I never had any leak so far till the wreck and he said he will look into it.
Do you think it was due to the impact on the tow hitch -> frame , which could have resulted in the engine/transmission joint getting shifted?
Please advise.....
Note : I don't have pictures, but the pictures I have seen in this thread are just how I have the leak. Between the engine and the transmission joint.
I have a 2007 4Runner 4WD. I recently had someone rear end me really bad that the whole front of his car collapsed and the car collapsed under the tow hitch of my Toyota. The wreck bent the tow hitch bracket down and also dislocated the tail pipe.
Went to a body shop, everything was replaced and seemed to ride fine.
And then I noticed this oil leak on my garage floor.
I never had any leaks before. So when I told this to the body shop, he says, well the truck has 120 k miles on it and these things are bound to happen.
But I Insisted that I never had any leak so far till the wreck and he said he will look into it.
Do you think it was due to the impact on the tow hitch -> frame , which could have resulted in the engine/transmission joint getting shifted?
Please advise.....
Note : I don't have pictures, but the pictures I have seen in this thread are just how I have the leak. Between the engine and the transmission joint.
