AARRRGGHH! 2 Days after I bought and installed the $12 per quart GM Syncromush I noticed a puddle of tranny fluid in the driveway. Looks like both of my axle seals are leaking Is this a big job to replace them? Any special tools required? The Fiero store has some special seals/bearings, anyone tried these? are they worth the extra bucks? or are the factory seals good enough?
Thanks for your help Steve
[This message has been edited by Grog (edited 08-20-2003).]
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09:44 PM
PFF
System Bot
PURPLE REIGN Member
Posts: 4080 From: Minnesnowta ------------------ Land of White Gold Registered: Sep 2002
Which why GM uses seal protectors when they install the axles. I never use them but I am extremely careful when I install the axles. They are easy to nick and you now have a leak in the making.
Removing and installing the seals are pretty easy other than removing the axles and spindles.
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10:26 PM
Grog Member
Posts: 60 From: Washington state Registered: Jul 2003
I never touched the seals. The car was not driven for about 5yrs before I bought it. They might have dried out a bit, but it was full of fresh oil. I drove it about 100 miles, no leaks. I put in the syncromush and now I have leaks. After I change the seals its getting what the tag says, 5w-30 motor oil.
The combination bearing/seals that both Rodney and FS sell are harder to install than the stock seals. The stock ones you can tap in with a piece of PVC pipe, the combo units have to be almost pounded in using a piece of iron pipe
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10:42 PM
sanderson Member
Posts: 2203 From: corpus christi, texas, usa Registered: Sep 2001
I'm not so sure about the Fiero store seals. They are asking $14.50 and they show same seal for Izuzu and Getrag 5 speed. GMpartsdirect shows different seal for Izuzu and Getrag.
I bought some for Getrag from local GM dealer for less than $12 per pair. Carquest here also has them for about same price. Carquest had then under National Oil Seal (Federal-Mogul) parts number 3543
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11:32 PM
Aug 21st, 2003
Bruce Member
Posts: 2189 From: Ventura, California, USA Registered: May 99
I think the seals leaking was just a coincidence. (more likly from sitting as you mentioned)I switched to Synchromesh when I first heard about it...had a little over 100,000 miles on a 5 speed getrag. Now have over 150,000 and still no leaks. Anyway don't let one unfortunate incident deter you from using it, worth the money in my opinion , tranny has shifted noticably better ever since !!!!
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07:41 AM
StansGT Member
Posts: 914 From: Schoolcraft MI, USA Registered: Jul 2001
You sure about that? I've always heard that it was available only at GM dealerships...
Can you post a pic of this $5 AutoZone bottle?
------------------ Patrick W. Heinske -- LZeitgeist@aol.com -- 1988 Red Fiero Formula - 1st Place - Stock Coupe - FOCOSEVA 2000 - 3rd Place - Stock Formula - FOCOA Nat'l 2001 - Class Winner - 1982 to Present - Tarheel Tigers All-Pontiac Show 2001 - Class Winner - Fiero: All Years - Tarheel Tigers All-Pontiac Show 2002 (working on an Automoda convertible conversion...)
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03:34 PM
tesmith66 Member
Posts: 7355 From: Jerseyville, IL Registered: Sep 2001
The closest AutoZone for me is about 45 miles away. I looked up syncromush before I went shopping for it and found out that Penzoil makes the stuff. Can't find it in town other than GM. The tranny takes just a bit less than 3 qts. The seals aren't just leaking it is dripping out. I just put royal purple syncromax in my trucks 6spd. It says an the bottle for all manual transmissions that require ATF, and its half the price GM wants for theirs. Mybe I will try that when I get it fixed.
oops, I can't believe I said that. Had truck tranny in my head. oops
