Getrag 245 Shift Selector problem

[Chris_B]

I am in the middle of a 5 speed install in my 02. I took the tranny to my favorite shop to have the seals replaced. They have reported that the shift selector rod is worn around the part that moves in and out of the seal, and leaks. Search suggests that multiple seals can be stuffed into the tranny to possibly resolve this problem. They installed a second seal, and the leak was reduced but not resolved.  Some of the posts I found said people were pushing in 3 or 4 seals to fix this. The shop is reluctant to try that.  I think it makes sense to try if that many seals would fit in there. The shop is not that interested in tearing the tranny down to replace the selector shaft (couldn't find much info on that process). They would likely take that on if the job isn't as nasty as most tranny teardown jobs.

 

Any suggestions? Apparently, otherwise the tranny is good (no other leaks; good synchros, etc,).

[2002iii]

I've heard you can put up to six seals in there. I would try that before taking the whole transmission apart to swap out the shift shaft.

 

I had to replace the shift shaft in my 245 because it snapped, it was not a simple process. I had to make a tool to separate the 3 case parts, you also need a good 3 jaw puller. To remove the rear case section the transmission must be in 2nd gear. Then carefully use a punch to press the pins out of the levers without hitting the gears.

[Einspritz]

How about a seal with a smaller ID?

[Chris_B]

Where do I get that?

[Chris_B]

If I had the dimensions of the shaft (easy enough to determine) and the dimensions of the seal outer mounting (easy enough by checking the standard seal), I guess I could pursue this. I have no familiarity with businesses that provide custom seals, but that must be discoverable. 

[Son of Marty]

If you can determine the unworn shaft diameter you could probably get a speedi-sleeve for that. 

 

 

Edited January 30, 2021 by Son of Marty

[stephers]

and what would you do with the shoulder on the speedy sleeve?      No, you cannot put 6 seals in there, 2, maybe 3 at best ( that is what I do as normal practice when resealing gearboxes  using 2  1 original, second one a bit thinner in width )"      the only way to really fix this (and the proper way ")   is to replace the shaft  but not sure if it is still available    then it is time for welding, machining and hard chroming

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Son of Marty]

The edge of the speedi-sleeve will break off after it's installed, the only question is if the sleeve is long enough to accommodate the travel when shifting the seal will probably not stand going on and off the sleeve. 

[Chris_B]

I don’t know anything about speedi-sleeves. Is it not possible to get one long enough to span the length of the area where the seal(s) impinge, so the ends of the speedi-sleeve don’t rub over the seals?

[Markster]

Is the shaft centered in the opening?  Folks bend them back in this forum.  They are often bent because folks carry the trans by holding it by this shaft!  

[tech71]

How much leakage? A puddle under the car? A drip or two? Some wetness on the case?

Are you sure you cant just live with it?  All gearboxes leak to some extent.

Would simplify things. Think of it as "deferred maintenance"

Try seal # 3 and be sure to pack a bit of grease inside the lip.

Not sure I would allow an untried shop to go at that gearbox, need some specific tooling there.

Better to send it off to someone familiar with it. However credit is due to your shop for acknowledging  they may not be up to the task.

Edited January 30, 2021 by tech71

[TobyB]

Markster might be onto something here-

 

I've NEVER seen one of those shafts really wear appreciably.

What I have seen, a lot, is that the case wears inside, and the shaft

starts to slop around.  It has a lot of side forces on it, and wasn't designed

to last 50 years.  This sideways motion is too great for the seal to 

compensate for, and it lets fluid leak out.

 

Once the shaft starts moving, the old seal wears, deforms, and gives up.

I usually pull it out if the gearbox is on the bench, and replace it.

The new seal is more supple, so it lasts for a while, if the box isn't really badly worn.

Then it starts to leak.  Then I put in another seal.

Again, it dries up some, but not all the way.  

 

Compared to tearing the box down, boring the shaftway oversize,

pressing a sleeve in, and reassembling the thing, I live with the wet spots.

 

one theory,

t

 

Edited February 1, 2021 by TobyB
clarity and more obviousity

[Chris_B]

11 hours ago, Markster said:

Is the shaft centered in the opening?  Folks bend them back in this forum.  They are often bent because folks carry the trans by holding it by this shaft!  

AFAIK, it is not bent. 

[Chris_B]

The shop has put in a second seal. Apparently, that stopped the leak by ~50%. They are going to try a third seal. They say there is enough of a leak to be worrisome- dripping onto the exhaust and likely hitting the flex disk when there is airflow under the car. Like I said, these guys don't want to tear down the box, although they did rebuild my 4 speed about 20 years ago. I believe the tech who did is no longer with the shop.

 

17 hours ago, Einspritz said:

How about a seal with a smaller ID?

Where would you find something like this?

[Einspritz]

What is the P/N or current size OD, ID,Depth?