willysmjeeps.com

New "Old" guy here, thanks for letting me on board!

Question I have is on my 52 M38a1 trans. When I bought my jeep in 91 it had some problems, engine had a knock and trans leaked from pilot shaft seal. Rebuilt the engine and replaced the felt seal, engine ran fine but oil leaked from pilot shaft seal just not as bad. Pulled the trans a few months back to replace a bad front bearing and of course to replace the shaft seal, it's all back together but the trans still leaks from the same spot. Help suggestions?

PS it is not a rear main.

I take it that based on your last comment that you confirmed the stuff in the puddle was gear oil and not engine oil!

When you changed the tranny's front bearing did you also change the pilot bearing in the flywheel?

When you had her apart last did you review Glover's T90 rebuild guide?
http://www.willystech.com/wt/T90Rebuild ... ebuild.htm

Wes thanks for the reply, you can rule out engine oil. As for the write up on the T-90 rebuild, that's a great piece of work! If I can remember correctly, the pilot bearing was or supposed to have been changed when the engine was rebuilt, neverreally double checked that part, the jeep registers 29,000 miles on it could this actually have been 129,000? maybe it's time for a replacement transmission? anyone have one they need to get rid of? my problem is I really don't have the spare time to rebuild the one I have.
Gary

It is standard industry practice to install a new pilot bearing every time you install a tranny. A worn pilot bearing can create the movement that will promote early failure of the input shaft bearing and seals. So if you do buy a newly rebuilt tranny (about $350 +) be sure to invest a few more dollars in some cheap insurance. The Tranny rebuild guide goes into detail on input shaft bearing and sealing options. It needs to be read closely. If you don't have the time (4 to 5 hours) to rebuild the tranny you will still burn up 4 to 5 hours pulling it out, seperating it from the transfer case and then reconnecting the new one and reinstalling the works. To separate the tranny from the transfer you have to pull the tranny cover and tie the shaft forward so it doesn't pull out with the transfer shaft. While you have everything at that point it's worth a little inspecting time to be sure you really need a new tranny before popping for the extra cost.

Just returned from the Holliday and I decided that either I obtain a good used T-90 or have this one rebuilt for bearings are noisy, and it pops out of 2nd and at the same time I will replace the pilot bearing even though I would have sworn it had been replace with the engine rebuild some 4K miles ago and at the same time a new seal was installed in the trans but leaked right after the rebuild. Wonder if they actually replaced the bearing? I replaced the pilot shaft seal at that time. Thanks for the tip on holding the shaft from moving when seperating the transfer case.