Oil in U-Joint Bellows

[edfresh]

I took off the outdrive of my '87 Cobra 4.3L last weekend. I found about half a cup of oil in the bellows. I'm not sure how this got there. One thought is that it has leaked past the rear engine seal. Any other possibilities? <br /><br />Also, the upper gears look tight and in great shape. But the lower gears have some play in them and I have little metal filings on the drain plug magnet. (I had shift pblms earlier that I have since fixed.) What should I do? <br /><br />Thanks in advance.

 

[tommays]

Re: Oil in U-Joint Bellows

ed<br />you need to pressure test the drive it is almost 99% for sure comeing from the seal on the upper<br /><br />its a guess on the metal i dont no if you have had metal in the past or what the current filings look like <br /><br />tommays

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Oil in U-Joint Bellows

The seal by the ujoints is the problem.I had exactly the same problem a few years ago.Charlie

 

[Bondo]

Re: Oil in U-Joint Bellows

"One thought is that it has leaked past the rear engine seal."<br /><br />Absolutely No Way.......

 

[Don S]

Re: Oil in U-Joint Bellows

The only place you can get oil in the ujoint bellows from it the drive, specifically seal number 29 in the image below.<br /> <br /><br />

 

[edfresh]

Re: Oil in U-Joint Bellows

Don, Tommays, Charlie, Bondo - Thanks for the immediate help. Don, I see how seal #29 can be the problem. I'll look into what has to be done to replace that.<br /><br />About the filings, the previous owner talked about how he would shift it by reving the engine, waiting to shift when the RPM were on the way down, etc. So, the first thing I did was fix the shifting linkage/adjustment pblm and tune, etc. the engine so that it would idle slowly enough. I have changed the drive's oil several times and each time there is less and smaller sized metal filings. So, it appears I've stopped causing any more grinding and I've gotten all of it out. But still, there must be some gear damage. Again, the upper gears appear fine. Also, there is a bit of play in the lower gears (when rotating the shaft clockwise to counter). Is there supposed to be a bit of play in the lower? Don't y'all expect I need to replace the 3 lower gears and/or the dog clutch?

 

[tommays]

Re: Oil in U-Joint Bellows

ed<br />you cant really check the play by hand it usally requires a tear down and special tools to measure<br /><br />some movement is normal but its hard to see what you think is play<br /><br />if the drive is not jumping out of gear and can be resealed its a coil toss if your opening up a pandoras box <br /><br />omc parts are not as easy as to get and it can be very hard to find the right service person you need to look into if a good service person works in your area and what parts can be gotten at what price<br /><br />tommays