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Gear Shifter Leak - Transmission

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Rocketfuel, Sep 8, 2017.

  1. Sep 8, 2017 at 10:35 AM
    #1
    Rocketfuel

    Rocketfuel [OP] New Member

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    Hello everyone and thanks in advance to all of those who can provide me some knowledge.

    96 - 2.7 - 4 cyl - 4x4 with 230k

    I have not seen anything on the concrete showing a leak but decided to change my fluids for front diff, trans, transfer case and rear diff. Once under the truck it was obvious I have major leaks. I removed and replaced the front and inner seal on the transfer case but confused by all the oil coming from the top of the transmission. After pulling the shifters I see it has been leaking for a very long time.

    Questions -
    Do I only need to replace the gaskets for each of these or is there an additional seal within the shifter.

    How do I know the breather tubes are clean/clear? Will I feel airflow etc..

    Heading to parts store now to degrease and buy gasket maker or gaskets etc.

    Oil used is Mobil1 75-90

    Thanks again and a couple pics attached!


     
    Last edited: Sep 8, 2017
  2. Sep 9, 2017 at 6:21 AM
    #2
    TheDude22

    TheDude22 Well-Known Member

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    ARB bumper, Smitty bilt 1000 winch, KC fog lights, Custom rear bumper with tire swing. Toytec lift,
    A couple months ago I ran into the same problem where it was leaking from my 4WD shifter. I pulled the lines and blew air through using a compressor then removed the shifter. There is a thin metal gasket in there so be careful when removing and try not to ding it up with a screwdriver. I cleaned everything up and put red rvt on both sides of the gasket and have had no leaks since. Make sure you don't put too much rvt on there as I'm sure it won't be good in your tranny. I believe there are some other post on this issue so try and do a little research and good luck with the leak!
     
  3. Sep 9, 2017 at 6:49 AM
    #3
    gearcruncher

    gearcruncher Well-Known Member

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    Judging by your pictures , it doesnt look like your shifter seals are leaking
     
    Currygoat likes this.
  4. Sep 9, 2017 at 12:41 PM
    #4
    Rocketfuel

    Rocketfuel [OP] New Member

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    I already started the removal/cleanup.

    Here are some more pics of the project.
    20170908_122259.jpg
    20170908_125056.jpg
    20170908_131642.jpg 20170908_132158.jpg 20170908_132808.jpg 20170908_132831.jpg

    20170908_125056.jpg
     
  5. Sep 9, 2017 at 12:59 PM
    #5
    Rocketfuel

    Rocketfuel [OP] New Member

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    Parts cleaning / Installation
    20170908_135231.jpg
    Brake cleaner and pressure wash. Identified the thin metal spacer that TheDude22 mentioned.It had gasket on both sides of this metal spacer/gasket.

    20170908_165155.jpg
    Cleaned surface area really well and pulled out out dried up grease that had fallen inside when removing. It was like mouse droppings with zero moisture.

    20170908_165216.jpg

    Regreased shifters heavy then cleaned up so excess wouldn't fall into trans etc.
    20170908_170203.jpg
    Removed excess
    20170909_085708.jpg
    Made 1/8 bead around both sides of metal spacer/gasket as TheDude22 mentioned. It appears I used a little too much but plan on changing the 75-90 oil in 1 week after driving to flush out any contaminants from removal / install.
    20170909_090221.jpg
    Final pic before shifter boots etc.
    20170909_093742.jpg
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2017
  6. Sep 9, 2017 at 1:03 PM
    #6
    Rocketfuel

    Rocketfuel [OP] New Member

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    Hoping this resolves the leak and appreciate all feedback. First time doing this and feel I should have replaced the rubber seals on both shifters. Good news is the shifters can be pulled without removing the 12mm bolts.

    Will keep an eye out for any wet spots and thanks again for the help!
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2017
  7. Jun 21, 2018 at 10:05 AM
    #7
    IronJayden

    IronJayden Member

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    Did this stop your leak? I've had the same problem with my 98' Tacoma. I put a new gasket on the the gear shift lever but not the 4wd lever. It's still leaking so I'll replace the gasket on that lever too but it doesn't appear to be leaking from the 4wd lever.

    It could be leaking from the transfer case but I don't think oil can defy gravity and work its way up the transmission towards the shifting levers. Unless the front driveshaft were spinning but that would spew oil all across the truck and not just the on the transmission right?
     
  8. Jun 21, 2018 at 10:11 AM
    #8
    IronJayden

    IronJayden Member

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    It looks like it's leaking from this little pin but I don't know how to fix it or what the the name of this pin is so I can look it up

    Snapchat-156930409.jpg
     
    ThunderOne likes this.
  9. Jan 30, 2021 at 5:54 PM
    #9
    DonM3Z

    DonM3Z New Member

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    Disclosure: I know this thread is a few years old, but just adding my $.02 for the record in case it helps anyone else.

    Just completed this same repair on my 96 Tacoma 4x4. I followed a similar process as listed above, however, I made my own gaskets using a FelPro Paper Gasket sheet #3022 (1/64") and used VersaChem #2 Gasket Sealer (#23009) - Note this is NOT RTV. I made a total of 4 gaskets (2 for the shifter housing, 2 for gear selector housing). It was easy enough to trace the old housings and just cut out new gaskets.

    After thoroughly degreasing the housings, I cleaned the mating surfaces with Lacquer Thinner. I then applied a light coating of the gasket sealer to both sides of each paper gasket. I also applied a light coating of gasket sealer to the screw threads as they seem to get exposed to a little bit of oil; the VersaChem package states is can be used for threaded connections. I torqued all bolts to 13ft lbs using a criss cross pattern.

    On the shifter levers, I applied a light coating of Lucas Red and Tacky grease on the shifter ball and bushing(s).

    Happy to report that there are zero leaks and the truck shifts nice and smooth! This was a pretty simple repair using readily available parts from my local O'Reilly Auto.
     

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