SX Drive Leak. How do I fix it?

[somekevinguy]

I have a 2004 Chaparral with 5.0 GL with an SX drive. I bought it used at the end of last season and only had it out once and everything seemed fine. After at least a good two months of sitting in my driveway I started to see some oil leaking from the drive. The guy gave me all the receipts for all the routine maintenance every year from a reputable local shop. The oil looks like it is coming from the the shifter shaft seal. I am surprised that a seal that sees so little action would go bad. The oil is kind of white but it is consistent, not blotchy like engine oil looks with water in it. Is this what out drive oil looks like when it has water in it? I would like to fix it myself. I used to be an auto mechanic so I have some skill and I have the service manual. Any advice on what my next course of action is? Just replace the seal and hope for the best? Pressure test it? Anybody replace that seal before? Looks like some little retainer pins and stuff you have to mess with to pull the shaft out of the seal. Says to put sealant and the outer mating surface of the seal. Any recommendations on the sealant I should use? Any advice or info would be greatly appreciated. My first trip of the season is a little over a month away so I need to get on this.

 

[Don S]

Re: SX Drive Leak. How do I fix it?

Drain the gear lube and pressure check the drive and make sure that's the only thing leaking. I would also pull the outdrive off the boat and check for water in the bellows.
Yes, replace the seal if it looks like it's leaking.

 

[somekevinguy]

Re: SX Drive Leak. How do I fix it?

Yeah I've really been wanting to get the drive off and replace the bellows because I never saw them changed looking through all the receipts he gave me. Just been to lazy. Have to get a dolly built and everything. So what the about the sealant that the manual calls for on the outer edge of the seal? What type of sealant is that? Are there any cheap pressure testers I can get. I would rather just buy one instead of making one if they aren't too expensive.

 

[Don S]

Re: SX Drive Leak. How do I fix it?

Permatex form-a-gasket works fine for that seal.
http://www.google.com/products/cata...X&ei=wz_NTcqCLoa8sQPWj8i6Cw&ved=0CJwBEPMCMAg#
Here is one fairly inexpensive tester. You need a pump of some kind. Not sure if it will work on your drive, as I have never used one. Just a cheap one I found using Google.
http://www.dockpartner.com/storefro....aspx?sfid=21399&i=140734376&mpid=3368&dfid=1

 

[somekevinguy]

Re: SX Drive Leak. How do I fix it?

Thanks again for the info. I ended up ordering this Mityvac. I had been wanting one of these anyway for bleeding brakes. It does vacuum and pressure. I just have to get a fitting to connect it to the drive. Can anyone point me to a fitting that will fit the drive and is barbed on the other end.

http://www.lincolnindustrial.com/asp/distributors/access/distributors/9_MV8500.jpg