T5 leaking fluid, bad trans mount?

Mintsick

10 Year Member
Jan 6, 2007
589
39
68
West Lafayette, IN
I just installed a rebuilt T5 which included a brand new trans seal, I am using the stock driveshaft and stock transmission mount. The transmission does not leak while sitting but I just noticed today when taking a peak under that my x pipe and even the mufflers/rearend housing are damp with fluid...after I parked I did notice a drip of ATF on the tailshaft so I assume that it is seeping out while driving the car. I guess I just didn't pay too much attention to the condition of the trans mount while putting everything back together. My question is does it seem likely that a bad mount allowing too much movement could cause trans fluid to seep out of the seal while driving and hitting bumps, etc?
 
First, you need to make sure you're not leaking from the speedo cable/speed sensor area. This is a pretty common place to leak on these cars.

If that is OK, and you're still leaking...

The slip yoke part of the driveshaft slides into a cylindrical/collar style bushing that is pressed into the tail housing of the transmission. This should be a very tight fit and restricts a lot of non-axial movement between the driveshaft and transmission. if you have an imbalance in the driveshaft or a really loose trans mount (that causes extreme angles between the driveshaft and trans), it is possible to strain this area and cause damage to either the bushing or the slip yoke surface, or both. This, in turn, allows more movement that can cause damage to the tail housing seal and let fluid leak out.

To check if you have any damage to the slip yoke, you can pull the driveshaft and run your finger long-ways across the slip yoke surface. If you feel any waves or grooves, even if you can't see them, you may have damage that is causing a leak.

To fix this, you need to pull out the old bushing and press in a new one, and you have to replace the slip yoke (or the entire driveshaft) at the same time. Replacing just one or the other won't work, you'll just end up damaging the new part. Replacing the trans mount at this point is a good idea, too.

I know this because I've been through the same thing myself. I used it as an excuse to buy an aluminum driveshaft for the car. :nice:
 
I only got a look under the car just after dark last night so I can't be 100% sure it's not the speedo gear/cable but I don't recall seeing any fluid coming from even the top of where the slip yoke enters the transmission. I just parked at work and took a quick peak again and there is definitely fluid right at the bottom of the tailshaft just below the bushing/seal leaking onto the x pipe.

There seems to be an excessive amount of allowable movement in the transmission mount, I can visibly see/feel the movement in the shifter when the roads are rough and just by pushing up on the tailshaft I can visibly see a lot of movement. I have already ordered an ES poly trans mount as well as a replacement bushing/seal just for good measure even though the one in the transmission is brand new with the rebuild. Next step is to remove the driveshaft and get a good look at the condition of the slip yoke...I may just go ahead and try to get my hands on a new and/or nice condition used stocker/aluminum unit.