Ok I have a 1977 280z 4 speed and I have developed a leak. I have a small but persistent leak where my driveshaft and transmission link up. According to Chilton's there is an oil seal on the back end of my 4 speed. How hard would it be to replace this seal without having to remove the transmission/engine. I got under the car and noticed that drive shaft bolts up to the yoke at the differential. Can I unbolt the shaft there and remove it from the transmission? If so how hard would it be to remove and put in a new seal? Thanks for all the help.

280z on its way to becoming a daily driver (I hope)

Tom,

You are on the right track......be advised that the four fasteners attaching the driveshaft to the differential can be a pain so, a day before you tackle this project spray these fasteners with a penetrating oil of some sort and let them soak. However, after you do get them taken off, the driveshaft will need to be removed by pulling it away from the tranny.....you will have some tranny oil run out the end of the tranny. I believe there is a wiper and a seal behind it. Remove both....they may become damaged so get new ones. Install the new seal and wiper, re-install the driveshaft, and don't forget to check the tranny oil level. It's a pretty simple job.

Tom

Alright,

I have my Z on jack stands and have soaked the hell out of the 4 bolts that connect the drive shaft to the differential. The only problem is that the bolt are all facing the wrong way. The nuts are toward the back of the car and I can't get a wrench, socket, hell even my fingers on them. The bolt does not seem to have a head so I can not even try and loosen them from the front. Any suggestions. I really do not want to dismantle the entire rear but I honestly can not see how to get the drive shaft off.

280Z on its way to being a daily driver

Sometimes its just quicker to undo the diff xmember, 4 bolts and 1 mount nut diff will sag down, put the tailshaft bolts back the same way they are now they are designed that way.

Those t/s bolts should be removeable, someone put them in there originally:cry:

Just a word of advice re tailshaft and seal.

Make sure the t/s has a smooth surface on it i.e. no grooves or pits where the seal lip rubs.

If it is grooved you can remedy the situation by: -

1. not inserting the new seal in the same place as was the old, so the new seal lip runs on a fresh t/s surface.

2. slipping a Speedi-sleeve over the t/s to provide a fresh surface

3. have the t/s surface repaired by hard chroming - last option:rolleyes: