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Topic: Transmission leak, possibly the output shaft. How painful is this likely to be? (Read 986 times) previous topic - next topic

Transmission leak, possibly the output shaft. How painful is this likely to be?

So. After fixing the curb side drive axel brake (whole freaking thing, rotor, caliper etc) we find that the transmission is leaking quite a bit. The best guess is that it's the output shaft seal or something similar. We're looking into setting up an appointment with an Allison service provider about 200 miles away hopefully tomorrow or as soon as they can get us in. 

I'm pretty sure I've seen folks here talking about similar issues, but can't seem to find it via search. My search-fu must be weak today. Can anyone shed any light on what kind of financial pain we might be in for here? The brake replacement was over 5 coach-bucks, so I'm hoping we're not looking at something even worse...  Any advice on what to ask etc? Lessons learned etc?

Anyway, thanks as always for all the advice and support. :-)
James & Susan
Alex & Elizabeth
Tortie and Gigi ( the "Bird TV" cats )
1998 U320 42' Build 5298

Re: Transmission leak, possibly the output shaft. How painful is this likely to be?

Reply #1 –
If it is the seal it shouldn't be to bad. Remove the drive shaft pull the yoke and pull the seal and replace it making sure to grease the seal.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Transmission leak, possibly the output shaft. How painful is this likely to be?

Reply #2 –
Tigratrus
Make sure to stop often and top off trans fluid, with correct trans oil. But don't overfill, 200 miles is a long way with a leak. Low fluid can damage very pricey componets, dealer will then try to sell you a reman trans.
    Mark C.

1994 U280
Build #4451
"If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking"

Re: Transmission leak, possibly the output shaft. How painful is this likely to be?

Reply #3 –
Not to bum you out, but I have been the lucky one to when a seal starts leaking there was another problem that caused it, such as a bad bearing.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Transmission leak, possibly the output shaft. How painful is this likely to be?

Reply #4 –
I had my main seal changed out and it was not too bad. I also had my road speed sensor replaced and it was about three hours labor.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Transmission leak, possibly the output shaft. How painful is this likely to be?

Reply #5 –
James, hope this not confuse you....if I understand the correct leak and seal, it was $1200 at Allison.

Sounds like what you have but i guess i could send you photo to show what i had or talk if want

 
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches

Re: Transmission leak, possibly the output shaft. How painful is this likely to be?

Reply #6 –
My Newell friend had an output seal leak fixed here for just over $500 (including service call charge) by one of the local Allison guys that does mobile repair.  We parked him at another friends shop pit and took about 2 hours or so to do.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: Transmission leak, possibly the output shaft. How painful is this likely to be?

Reply #7 –
I agree with Rudy, I think I would have it done in a couple of hours and seals aren't expensive.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Transmission leak, possibly the output shaft. How painful is this likely to be?

Reply #8 –
If your pulling the driveshaft out,check the u joints,now would be the time to replace them.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Transmission leak, possibly the output shaft. How painful is this likely to be?

Reply #9 –
Thanks all! :-)

We got to an Allison service facility (W.W.Williams) here in Conyers south and east of Atlanta, safe and sound. The tech looked at the transmission in the lot and said it was the rear seal. There might be an issue with the yoke (I think it was) being scored, but he won't be able to tell until they get it apart. If so they can either replace the yoke (needs to happen eventually once it's scored as the seal tolerance won't be right), or they can use a "speed sleeve" patch that should last for up to a year.  They have all the parts other than maybe the yoke, and it should be ready soonish. If there is scoring I think we'll have to do the patch/sleeve and set up a planned visit to another Allison facility with all the parts etc. As we don't know the last time the fluid was changed, we're having that replaced with Transcend so at least we know where we are on the cycle. 

Have to wait until it's all done to see what the final bill is, but the estimate was about $1050 with about 1/2 of that being the fluid replacement.
 
:: knocking on wood ::
James & Susan
Alex & Elizabeth
Tortie and Gigi ( the "Bird TV" cats )
1998 U320 42' Build 5298

Re: Transmission leak, possibly the output shaft. How painful is this likely to be?

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Tigratrus –
Thanks all! :-)

We got to an Allison service facility (W.W.Williams) here in Conyers south and east of Atlanta, safe and sound. The tech looked at the transmission in the lot and said it was the rear seal. There might be an issue with the yoke (I think it was) being scored, but he won't be able to tell until they get it apart. If so they can either replace the yoke (needs to happen eventually once it's scored as the seal tolerance won't be right), or they can use a "speed sleeve" patch that should last for up to a year.  They have all the parts other than maybe the yoke, and it should be ready soonish. If there is scoring I think we'll have to do the patch/sleeve and set up a planned visit to another Allison facility with all the parts etc. As we don't know the last time the fluid was changed, we're having that replaced with Transcend so at least we know where we are on the cycle. 

Have to wait until it's all done to see what the final bill is, but the estimate was about $1050 with about 1/2 of that being the fluid replacement.
 
:: knocking on wood ::
The speedy sleeves are usually stainless and in my use they last longer than the cast part they cover. Don't know why the short life of the repair quote.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Transmission leak, possibly the output shaft. How painful is this likely to be?

Reply #11 –
I would hazard a guess that the short life estimate of the sleeve is simply to cover their butts.  That being said nothing wrong with the speedy sleeve I have seen them last a really long time in some harsh environments. 
Toby a 94 u280
Cummins 8.3
6 speed Allison
Exhaust brake


Adopted by Derek and Annabelle

Re: Transmission leak, possibly the output shaft. How painful is this likely to be?

Reply #12 –
Welp.
It was fixed and there was no mention of a speedy sleeve on the invoice (tech had left). So far so good, there's still fluid soaked grunge everywhere, but I didn't see any new accumulation on the bottom of the transmission which is the only clean spot. :p
James & Susan
Alex & Elizabeth
Tortie and Gigi ( the "Bird TV" cats )
1998 U320 42' Build 5298

Re: Transmission leak, possibly the output shaft. How painful is this likely to be?

Reply #13 –
First I have heard of a WW Williams in CONYERS, Think you meant Conley, GA.  Just Down Thurman Road is another Allison Shop that is way better than Williams.  Reliable Transmission did work on mine and even tho its specialty is garbage trucks they know Allisons.
Gary B