16 replies to this topic

[MFM]

I have this persistent leak which I originally thought was coming from the rear G/Box seal so I replaced it, but the leak continued. I was finding drops of oil on the floor directly below the gearbox cross member (see photo) BUT not directly below the member as it was trickling to the sides (next to the rocker panels) then dripping on the floor. The top of the box is dry so appears to be coming from the bottom of the aluminium rear housing where this bolts to the box and dripping directly onto the cross member. There is a seal on this joint where it bolts to the cast iron part of the box. Is this an easy fix?

 

I've also noticed some clear silicone on the seal between the aluminium housing and the box, so this appears to have been an issue in its past.

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[S pack]

So any oil dripping directly onto the garage floor from the bottom of the extension housing where it mates to the gearbox case ?

[S pack]

If it is running down the gearbox crossmember and dripping out the end/s at the chassis rail/s I'd also be checking the speedo cable where it fits into the extension housing.

[MFM]

Dave speedo cable entry is dry so I can only assume its leaking from directly below the join between the aluminium extension housing where it bolts to the G/Box. There is no oil directly underneath the gearbox only at either end of the gearbox cross member but mostly passenger end of cross member? I suspect it's been doing this for years before I bought it, because when I scrubbed the undercarriage a couple of years ago with kero, the top of the cross member was full of oil soaked heavy sludge. This sludge probably slowed down the drips so they weren't as obvious on the ground, but now its clean under there the oil is flowing easier.

Edited by MFM, 10 October 2022 - 09:36 AM.

[TOERUNNER]

If its an aussie 4 speed, might pay to check the reverse selector if you haven't already done so. Is it possible that the extension housing could be cracked .

[MFM]

If its an aussie 4 speed, might pay to check the reverse selector if you haven't already done so. Is it possible that the extension housing could be cracked .

Yes its an XU1 box. I just crawled under the drivers side and added some more pics. Its pretty dry under there so it could be a cracked aluminium housing directly above the cross member ? Speedo entry looks dry?

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Edited by MFM, 10 October 2022 - 10:22 AM.

[MFM]

I can now understand that if that joint was leaking it wouldn't flow back to the cross member it would drip onto the garage floor (as Dave pointed out) and that rear seal feels dry and no dripping from that so could be more sinister (Cracked rear housing above cross member)

[Indy Orange]

Wouldn’t be a Torana without an oil leak😉

[TOERUNNER]

Get a mirror and a torch ,you might be lucky enough to see the source.

[torana?]

Maybe the drain bolt washer

[MFM]

Going have to get her on a hoist and properly investigate. My driveway at home is steep (descends down off the road into garage) and I was thinking that might have contributed to it (wishful thinking). I even tried reversing down. I just had another look and stuck my fingers into the top and inside of the gearbox cross member directly below the gearbox mount to feel for oil and its dry as a bone ...WTF..how is it that there is oil at both ends of the gearbox mount but its dry directly below the extension housing/rubber mount???

Edited by MFM, 10 October 2022 - 10:38 AM.

[jd lj]

I've seen a leaky rear main where oil would drip onto the clutch inspection cover then when you are driving the wind blows it back to the gearbox and makes it appear to have a leak. Does it smell like engine or gear oil?

[lx308]

Wouldn’t be a Torana without an oil leak

Yep, that's how you know it's still got oil in it!

[arrimar]

The yoke and unijoint look clean in the pic but maybe its dripping out the hole in the slip yoke.

[S pack]

Perhaps it is just residual oil seeping out that was trapped at the rear mount from when the rear seal leaked?

[MFM]

Perhaps it is just residual oil seeping out that was trapped at the rear mount from when the rear seal leaked?

I'm using full synthetic in the box and I don't think that stuff has that gearbox oil smell that we are all accustomed to, and yes I did smell it and its not the conventional gear oil smell so you could be right Dave although I changed that a year ago. Anyway thanks for the replies. It's difficult to diagnose some stuff without looking at the car. I need some LJ/LC Torana guru's who live on the Gold Coast to help me with these minor mechanical issues as I only have minimal mechanical abilities.

[kiwi-lilj]

I had a similar issue with my 3 speed box, so I slide a flattened cardboard box under the car and change it every couple of months. The leak has pretty much stopped now, so it must be time to top up the gearbox oil.