Mysterious Tranny leak

[19stang66]

So here's the deal. I store my Stang every winter and this winter she developed a leak from the rear of the transmission. It is dripping off the the yoke/u-joint. So today I got home for Easter break and start looking into this leak because I really want to drive her this weekend. I take the driveshaft off and can't find a trail of fluid anywhere on the yoke to the u-joint. My guess is it is leaking internally in the yoke. Is that possible? Also I noticed the "shaft with teeth" that is in the rear of the tranny, where the yoke sticks into, has some play in it. Is this normal?

I took some pictures of the yoke and a video of the play in the toothed shaft.

It's hard to tell but there is tranny fluid all over the u-joint.

Inside the yoke.

Toothed shaft in rear of tranny thingy

Video of play in toothed shaft.
Shaft play

Does anything look abnormal to you guys? Any suggestions on what to do?

 

[Tim65GT]

I think the shaft end play in your video is normal. The tailhousing and bushing with the yoke inserted are what keep the shaft centered.

You probably need to replace the tailhousing bushing and seal.

Possibly the yoke is worn too much also.

 

[19stang66]

How hard is it to replace the tailhouse bushing and seal? Can I do it myself in an hour or so? Would NAPA carry those seals? How do I tell if the yoke is worn too much? I'm working on her as we speak so i'll be running back and forth from shop to computer.

 

[1320stang]

You can replace it without removing the housing, use a big, deep socket or a piece of appropriate diameter pipe to replace.

 

[19stang66]

I got a new seal today from NAPA and it has a boot on it. The original one doesn't. It should still work right? I'm guessing the boot was added for extra leak protection.