Apparent Transmission Fluid Leak

[Magic]

I went out today to give my car a check over for the upcoming Texas mile. As I was checking the wheel nut torque I notice a fairly large amount of fluid under the rear of the car. This is the first time I've ever noticed anything leaking from my car. I got my light out and could see fluid resting in the rear diffuser/underbody panel. Got the car up on jack stands and drop the panel and attached pictures show what I found. I have a Cool Tech transmission cooler on my car and so know this isn't the blow by fluid some people see occassionally in the engine compartment.

As best as I can tell the fluid is coming from the drivers side of the Transmission. The lowest bolt on the drivers side has oil dripping off it. I cannot tell if the oil is dripping down from the half shaft seal or not. Below are pictures as best as I could take of where I think the fluid is coming from. I examined the rest of the engine as best as could on my back and didn't see anywhere else that I suspected fluid coming from. My car is an 06 and has approx 2400 miles.

Any suggestions on what this might be? I think this is will cancel my first attempt at the Texas Mile. :frown Will probably take the Cayman R to make some runs, but won't be the same as the GT. :rofl

And yes Frank the grass is from NOLA (Rally 7). Someday will need to take all the under panels off and vacum! :facepalm:

 

[Magic]

Part 2

more pics

 

[shelbyelite]

It could be a halfshaft leaking. Your car has had the halfshaft bolts replaced, but that does not mean its not possible for them to break, although not likely...
You may want to consider sending it in to us for service. Can have Eric service the car while its here getting the transmission issue addressed if you like. Just let me know if we can help....

 

[Magic]

Part 3

View attachment Ford GT Transmission.pdf

PDF transmission needs to be rotated for proper viewing.

 

[BlackICE]

Try the best you can to find the highest point where there is oil.

Check all of the fill and drain plugs and the hoses going to and from the cooler. Then of course the where the half shaft come out of the transaxle.

If you are lucky it will a plug or hose connection then you can repair that and top off the oil and be good to go.

A bummer if you can do the mile.

 

[Magic]

More Info on my transaxle

Came home from work tonight and remebered I had a video scope tool given to me a few years back so I used it to check out my drivers side half shaft. First off i noticed that on the drivers side (leak side) the shaft/flange coming out of the transaxle showed about 1/2 inch of polished shaft showing. When I examined the passengers side not the same! only about 1/8 inch shaft showing coming out of the transaxle case and it was dark brown/rusty looking. Got the video scope out and as best I could filmed both sides. Also filmed when I move the half shaft axle going to the wheel the half shaft flange going into the case moves very badly. The passenger side doesn't move at all.

So now I've established the leak was caused by a seal problem that was caused by the flange moving around. If the half shaft bolts have sheared the heads off would the flange move around that much (see video)? Or does this mean I have a much more major problem with my transaxle? Again my car only has 2400 miles on it, beginner group track day at Rally 6 and Rally 7, two speed runs down the long straight at Rally 7 and mormal mundane street cruising. When I bought the car was told that half shaft bolts had been replaced so wasn't worrying about those.

Glad I noticed the oil spot and took the underneath pan off otherwise I hate to think what might have happened this weekend at the Texas Mile.

[video=youtube_share;JmiSDsHM3G8]http://youtu.be/JmiSDsHM3G8[/video]

[video=youtube_share;tVWz-h_hls8]http://youtu.be/tVWz-h_hls8[/video]

[video=youtube_share;tjHUuql6gTw]http://youtu.be/tjHUuql6gTw[/video]

[video=youtube_share;ha86YSIyl7s]http://youtu.be/ha86YSIyl7s[/video]

 

[BlackICE]

I appears that you have the infamous half-shaft bolt failure. A relatively easy repair if you can get the rear up on jack stands. Please save the the bolts and post photos of them here.

Just because they were changed doesn't mean the right set were put in. Ford had at least 2 versions of bolts the latest is the one to use. I prefer Accufab (ARP) bolts since they can be reused. My opinion is subject to change depending on which type of bolts failed.

I good catch prior to doing the mile!

 

[BlackICE]

If you half shaft coupler bolts are Torx then you have the Ford bolts, if they are 12 point drive, you have the Accufab bolts.

 

[Magic]

I appears that you have the infamous half-shaft bolt failure. A relatively easy repair if you can get the rear up on jack stands. Please save the the bolts and post photos of them here.

Just because they were changed doesn't mean the right set were put in. Ford had at least 2 versions of bolts the latest is the one to use. I prefer Accufab (ARP) bolts since they can be reused. My opinion is subject to change depending on which type of bolts failed.

I good catch prior to doing the mile!

Black Ice you think the shaft seal is gone too or was the seal leaking only because of the movement?

 

[BlackICE]

Black Ice you think the shaft seal is gone too or was the seal leaking only because of the movement?

Most likely the seal is OK. I haven't heard of one failing yet. The splines weep some fluid that the coupler seals off when properly installed, per the Ford TSB. If the coupler is loose the seal is broken.

I hope you can get this fixed before the TX mile.

 

[nota4re]

Magic,

Yes, you have the axle bolt failure. Maybe you didn't have the axle bolt upgrade or perhaps you had the earlier Ford remedy (replaced washer along with another two suspect bolts). Let's not turn this into another axle bolt thread, but Ford had this initial fix which turned out not to be a fix at all. You definitely DON'T have the accufab kit since you don't have the ARP outer bolts.

But, absolutely no worries. This is an easy fix and not too expensive either. Make sure the axle leak TSB is done at the same time on both sides of the car - even if the good side looks dry. You have many choices for resolution. Send the car up to Shelby is a good option. Alternatively, Ryan has been doing GT mods flying around the Country - and he could certainly come there. Also, if you or a local mechanic wants to tackle the job, I'd be happy to walk anyone through the process.

 

[BlackICE]

Clearly Shelby or Kendall has done a bunch of these and also the GTguy and Shadowman as well.

If you get handy with a wench and can get the car up on jack stands to remove the rear wheels the job isn't too hard at all. It's that or towing or shipping it out to a repair shop or flying in Ryan.

If you want to tackly the job, I am sure Kendall will be willing to walk you through the process, if not PM me.

 

[Wwabbit]

You don't need to jack the car to replace the bolts. Everything is easily reachable over the top. Several good threads on here for that. Takes a couple of hours.

 

[SSRob]

Well, that was enough for me. Just ordered me a set of bolts.

 

[BlackICE]

You don't need to jack the car to replace the bolts. Everything is easily reachable over the top. Several good threads on here for that. Takes a couple of hours.

Yes it could be done leaning over the rear wheels, but I like to take the wheels off and you long extension to remove the couplers, easier on my back. Besides I have a lift with 2 rolling jacks so it is a piece of cake. The GTguys showed me the technique the 1st time they changed my bolts to the for Ford ver 1. bolts (best at the time).

 

[Wwabbit]

More than one way to skin a cat I suppose. If he jumps on it, he can still make the mile.

 

[BlackICE]

More than one way to skin a cat I suppose. If he jumps on it, he can still make the mile.

:agree: to both statements.

I just smile when I lift the car and remove the bolts at standing height. The lift and jacks pay for itself because I don't need to see the orthopedic surgeon so often.

 

[Wwabbit]

I just looked at your video. The flange sure wobbles around a lot, which it would the closer to the end of the shaft it gets. When you do get it apart, examine the splines on the output shaft and flange coupling really good, make sure they are healthy and make for a proper fitment. Dry fit it and check for slop. Who knows how long this has been going on and what's gone on in there. Hopefully nothing.


PS- Nice job finding this. :thumbsup I'm amazed your car made it home the last time. I don't think you'd have been that lucky on the next trip.

 

[shelbyelite]

Gary, please call me tomorrow. I pulled the file on your car and it shows that your half shaft bolts were definitely replaced. Need to look at this closer and see what is going on.

 

[BlackICE]

Gary, please call me tomorrow. I pulled the file on your car and it shows that your half shaft bolts were definitely replaced. Need to look at this closer and see what is going on.

Shelby were the Ford or Accufab kit used?