Gear oil from speedo?

[Ed]

I was wondering why my drivers side floor mat had some stains on it. I started poking around under the dash and noticed that gear oil was coming off the fitting where the speedometer cable attaches to the speedometer. My guess is that it's coming all the way from the transmission up the cable. Anybody else have this happen to them?

[2ManyZs]

Well, I haven't had it get up as far as the speedometer, but most of the cars I have had leak a lot around the cable where it mounts to the transmission. It probably needs the seal replaced in the end of the cable. You might want to try to remove as much as possible before you replace the seal. You might try to remove the cable from the back of the speedo and spray some brake cleaner into the housing to help get as much grease out of the upper end as possible, while leaving the other end off the trans so that it might drip out on the bottom. You could just remove the cable from the car and try the same thing, might be a little easier not having to work under the dash in a contorted position.

[Bizza]

Check the speedo driven gear for play. You should not be able to wiggle it at all or else the reverse feed function will not work, hence the transmision leak.

[Ed]

Well I still haven't attempted to fix the leak. I just stuffed a rag under the dash to catch the oil. Bizza what is this reverse feed function? Can you describe it?

[Bizza]

The reverse feed function (well thats what id like to call it) is engraved on the shaft inside the driven gear. picture it more like a thread. That threads prupose is to splash back the oil back into the sump once its starts rotating. Now, if its loose it won't work effectively and will leak if its stationary.

Ive had the same problem. At first i thought it was the worn out gasket in my Zed but that only stops dirt getting inside the tranny. If you pull the gear in two pieces you'll see engraved thread on it.

After getting that fixed i got myself into another problem :tapemouth . Do not pull the cable!!! I pulled mine and now the speedo is N/A. ill be posting a help me thread on that one.

oh yes, best thing to do is to replace the driven gear (the shaft and the housing). I thingk they are colour coded for each model. Otherwise you'll just have keep topping it up.

[venom42]

I noticed that I have a leak at the point where the speedo cable attaches to the tranny. There are never any drips or anything, just always wet around that area. I noticed my gearshift lever gets got while I am driving. Could it be that low on oil? Is it ok to use an impact wrench to get the drain plug loose (only 1/2" drives I have are my air tools)?

[Ed]

I had forgotten about this thread. Talk about digging up the past:classic: .

venom42, it should be ok to remove the plug with your impact but I wouldn't put it back on with it. As far as your shifter getting hot this is normal if the car has been running a while. But it sounds like your going to change the fluid anyway so you should be safe.

[venom42]

Guess I will have to buy a 1/2" rachet. I am afraid to screw with the speedo cable though. How much do dealerships usually charge to replace the gear?

[venom42]

Ok... I am heading outside to replace the o-ring and change the tranny and diff fluids out. Anyone have a diagram of how the o-ring goes in (in case the old one is completely deteriorated)? Anything I need to look out for?

[frank13]

Just change the gear oil. All will be ok. Screwing with the end of the speedo cable wjere it meets the tranny is ok as well. As long as you get the square tang back in to mate with the drive all is well. :devious:

[kinfish]

Gear oil running up through speedometer cable inidcates a bad seal on the shaft of the speedo pinion. I just pulled this assy apart to replace the speedo pinion and had also purchased a new shaft seal and the o-ring which fits on the outside of the housing and seals assy to tranny housing. The seal is tiny and very difficult to remove from the housing since there is no lip to punch or pull it out. I wound up using a chisel to cut thru the metal ring to remove the hoop and eventually got the thing out. I put replacement seal in freezer for an hour and used deep socket sized to seal OD to tap it in place. Takes a little patience to get the housing assy and pinion aligned on reinstallation, especially working on your back with minimal ground clearance.