Transmission seal removal help... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Adam12 · 09-30-2003, 11:56 PM

I just had my transmission rebuilt and the seal that the yoke slides into is too big the yoke has about 1/8" gap all the way around it. I didn't realize this until I was pouring trans fluid in it and the fluid was coming out as fast as it was going in. so I need to get a smaller one but am having trouble getting the old one out. Are there any tricks to getting it out easier? I tried using a small screwdriver to pop it off around the edges and broke the screwdriver, I tried pulling with pliers, no luck there either. Any tips?( The trans in still in the truck by the way) Thanks.

orange72350 · 10-01-2003, 01:25 AM

a heel/ toe bar should work. long handle with a half moon shape curve at the end. should pop her right out. have fun
dale

**COBALT** · 10-01-2003, 01:53 AM

I just use a standard seal puller, or a slide hammer to yank it out.

Be careful you don't scar up the inside of the tail housing with that screw driver. If you do you may never get a new seal to seal correctly.

Adam12 · 10-01-2003, 09:12 AM

Thank you again, again.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 10-01-2003, 10:42 AM

What transmission do you have in your truck?

I am curious as to how this happened.

Jim

Adam12 · 10-01-2003, 07:19 PM

Its a TH400.

**COBALT** · 10-01-2003, 07:22 PM

Wierd. There are three specific tail housings for TH400's. Each one has a specific seal. Not only are the inner diameters of the seals different, but so are the outer diameters. In other words the wrong seal wouldn't fit into the tailhousing anyway.

I've gotten the wrong seal for my TH400 before, but it was obvious when I went to go put it in.

Every kit I've ever ordered has the right seal. All I have to say is that I have the "short housing"...

JimKshortstep4x4 · 10-01-2003, 07:45 PM

The TH 400 had two different short tailshafts that I know of. The 66 Impala came with a TH 400 that had a short tailshaft and the OD of the yoke was small compared to the newer TH 400 yokes.

I am not sure of other years but I am sure of the 66 Impala. It almost sounded like he has the small yoke and the large short tailshaft. I just thought that it was unusual for a seal to fit the housing and not fit the yoke, especially since the transmission was just rebuilt.

Adam 12, please post what the solution turns out to be.

Good luck!

Jim

Adam12 · 10-02-2003, 12:49 AM

Wow this sucks...first off thanks for all the help. I hate walking into a parts store looking for somthing and the guy behind the counter says "what kind of car do you have?" Then I have to explain that the trans/engine didn't come with the truck and never did. I still havent found the right seal. The guy that built the transmission hasen't returned my calls and never picks up the phone. So looks like ill spend tomorrow trying to figure out what is happening, thanks again.

SLS · 10-02-2003, 10:37 AM

Something I have found very helpful when replacing seals (or parts):

Make all efforts to remove the old seal as intact as possible....and carry it with you to the parts house.

I don't know how many times I have been handed the wrong seal (or part) at the counter of places like the mega-chain parts stores.

When I compare the old piece with the new one (and it turns out to be different), the guy gets back on his computer and says "well it is showing 2 (or 3) different numbers for that application...let me get the other ones and see if they match up".

And usually one of them does.

In the lsst couple of weeks I have been handed the wrong brake caliper, wrong brake pad set, and wrong dust caps. I'm SURE that this won't be the last time...as I'm just getting started on my project.

Custom 68 · 10-02-2003, 11:48 AM

Exactly what Jim said. You will need to replace the entire tail shaft. I had mine rebuilt years ago the guy cracked my tailshaft and replaced it without me know about it till I got it back together. He did get me the correct one and it works fine. I dont think you will get a seal to work but am not sure.

Adam12 · 10-02-2003, 04:25 PM

This wouldnt be soo bad If I wasent trying to get a hold of the guy since monday...How hard is it to replace the tailshaft housing once I get a new one from him? Does the trans have to come out of the truck, It dosent seem like it should be too difficult, but some things never do.

Custom 68 · 10-02-2003, 05:01 PM

THere are only a few bolts that hold it in place it is in the very rear and is only 5 or 6 inches long it is not hard it can be done on the truck with no problems.

Adam12 · 10-02-2003, 05:03 PM

Ok thanks, Now I guess I have to go stand in this guys front yard until he gets home.

Adam12 · 10-04-2003, 12:18 AM

well the front yard Idea didnt work too well, but today he told me he thought I had a bolt on yoke ( I have a slip yoke I guess they are smaller) so he gave me my hold tailshaft housing back and I switched them out today. So its fun time agian yay! Its really really hard not to have a heavy foot.....

JimKshortstep4x4 · 10-04-2003, 08:24 AM

Happy times are here again!

Thanks for the update, I was wondering if that is what happened.

Jim

09-30-2003, 11:56 PM	#1
Adam12 I hate trannys Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Bakersfield,CA Posts: 160	Transmission seal removal help... I just had my transmission rebuilt and the seal that the yoke slides into is too big the yoke has about 1/8" gap all the way around it. I didn't realize this until I was pouring trans fluid in it and the fluid was coming out as fast as it was going in. so I need to get a smaller one but am having trouble getting the old one out. Are there any tricks to getting it out easier? I tried using a small screwdriver to pop it off around the edges and broke the screwdriver, I tried pulling with pliers, no luck there either. Any tips?( The trans in still in the truck by the way) Thanks. __________________ 70 SWB 481 ci, TH-400, Edlebrok Victor Jr. intake, Holley street avenger 770, Dynomax ceramic coated headers. Dual flowmasters. and only 3516134 more little things to do.

10-01-2003, 01:25 AM	#2
orange72350 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Cold, Snowy High Level, Alberta Canada Eh Posts: 394	a heel/ toe bar should work. long handle with a half moon shape curve at the end. should pop her right out. have fun dale __________________ 2003 yamaha raptor. Stock, but it still hauls!!!! 2000 skiddo mxz 700. Camoplast 1.5 inch track, jaws twin pipes, b+b can, custom built and weighted clutch, wiseco piston, high comp heads. its very fast. wow. 72 c-10 longbox. Bright Orange. Brand new 350, rv cam, performer intake, qjet, headers, 2 1/2 inch exhaust into hooker areo chamber mufflers. Body work coming soon. "dont let yer mind wander, its to little to go places by itself." "Forget the herse, cause i'll never die"-ACDC Back In Black "If It's To Loud, Yer Just Too Old" "I Love Anything Fast Enough To Do Something Stupid In" "Instant idiot, just add beer!!""

10-01-2003, 01:53 AM	#3
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	I just use a standard seal puller, or a slide hammer to yank it out. Be careful you don't scar up the inside of the tail housing with that screw driver. If you do you may never get a new seal to seal correctly. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

10-01-2003, 09:12 AM	#4
Adam12 I hate trannys Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Bakersfield,CA Posts: 160	Thank you again, again. __________________ 70 SWB 481 ci, TH-400, Edlebrok Victor Jr. intake, Holley street avenger 770, Dynomax ceramic coated headers. Dual flowmasters. and only 3516134 more little things to do.

10-01-2003, 07:19 PM	#6
Adam12 I hate trannys Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Bakersfield,CA Posts: 160	Its a TH400. __________________ 70 SWB 481 ci, TH-400, Edlebrok Victor Jr. intake, Holley street avenger 770, Dynomax ceramic coated headers. Dual flowmasters. and only 3516134 more little things to do.

10-01-2003, 10:42 AM	#5
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	What transmission do you have in your truck? I am curious as to how this happened. Jim

10-01-2003, 07:22 PM	#7
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Wierd. There are three specific tail housings for TH400's. Each one has a specific seal. Not only are the inner diameters of the seals different, but so are the outer diameters. In other words the wrong seal wouldn't fit into the tailhousing anyway. I've gotten the wrong seal for my TH400 before, but it was obvious when I went to go put it in. Every kit I've ever ordered has the right seal. All I have to say is that I have the "short housing"... __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

10-01-2003, 07:45 PM	#8
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	The TH 400 had two different short tailshafts that I know of. The 66 Impala came with a TH 400 that had a short tailshaft and the OD of the yoke was small compared to the newer TH 400 yokes. I am not sure of other years but I am sure of the 66 Impala. It almost sounded like he has the small yoke and the large short tailshaft. I just thought that it was unusual for a seal to fit the housing and not fit the yoke, especially since the transmission was just rebuilt. Adam 12, please post what the solution turns out to be. Good luck! Jim

10-02-2003, 12:49 AM	#9
Adam12 I hate trannys Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Bakersfield,CA Posts: 160	Wow this sucks...first off thanks for all the help. I hate walking into a parts store looking for somthing and the guy behind the counter says "what kind of car do you have?" Then I have to explain that the trans/engine didn't come with the truck and never did. I still havent found the right seal. The guy that built the transmission hasen't returned my calls and never picks up the phone. So looks like ill spend tomorrow trying to figure out what is happening, thanks again. __________________ 70 SWB 481 ci, TH-400, Edlebrok Victor Jr. intake, Holley street avenger 770, Dynomax ceramic coated headers. Dual flowmasters. and only 3516134 more little things to do.

10-02-2003, 10:37 AM	#10
SLS Finish the'71..or bust! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Nashville, TN. Posts: 441	Something I have found very helpful when replacing seals (or parts): Make all efforts to remove the old seal as intact as possible....and carry it with you to the parts house. I don't know how many times I have been handed the wrong seal (or part) at the counter of places like the mega-chain parts stores. When I compare the old piece with the new one (and it turns out to be different), the guy gets back on his computer and says "well it is showing 2 (or 3) different numbers for that application...let me get the other ones and see if they match up". And usually one of them does. In the lsst couple of weeks I have been handed the wrong brake caliper, wrong brake pad set, and wrong dust caps. I'm SURE that this won't be the last time...as I'm just getting started on my project.

10-02-2003, 11:48 AM	#11
Custom 68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,928	Exactly what Jim said. You will need to replace the entire tail shaft. I had mine rebuilt years ago the guy cracked my tailshaft and replaced it without me know about it till I got it back together. He did get me the correct one and it works fine. I dont think you will get a seal to work but am not sure. __________________ Dave 1968 Custom Chevy with turbo charged 5.3 gen III 4l80e swap 1967-71 GMC 3/4 ton long step 4x4 (not sure what year exactly?) "A good friend will bail you out of jail...but a true friend will be sitting next to you saying "that was frekin awesome". "If it doesn't fit force it...If it breaks then it needed to be replaced anyway!"

10-02-2003, 04:25 PM	#12
Adam12 I hate trannys Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Bakersfield,CA Posts: 160	This wouldnt be soo bad If I wasent trying to get a hold of the guy since monday...How hard is it to replace the tailshaft housing once I get a new one from him? Does the trans have to come out of the truck, It dosent seem like it should be too difficult, but some things never do. __________________ 70 SWB 481 ci, TH-400, Edlebrok Victor Jr. intake, Holley street avenger 770, Dynomax ceramic coated headers. Dual flowmasters. and only 3516134 more little things to do.

10-02-2003, 05:01 PM	#13
Custom 68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,928	THere are only a few bolts that hold it in place it is in the very rear and is only 5 or 6 inches long it is not hard it can be done on the truck with no problems. __________________ Dave 1968 Custom Chevy with turbo charged 5.3 gen III 4l80e swap 1967-71 GMC 3/4 ton long step 4x4 (not sure what year exactly?) "A good friend will bail you out of jail...but a true friend will be sitting next to you saying "that was frekin awesome". "If it doesn't fit force it...If it breaks then it needed to be replaced anyway!"

10-02-2003, 05:03 PM	#14
Adam12 I hate trannys Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Bakersfield,CA Posts: 160	Ok thanks, Now I guess I have to go stand in this guys front yard until he gets home. __________________ 70 SWB 481 ci, TH-400, Edlebrok Victor Jr. intake, Holley street avenger 770, Dynomax ceramic coated headers. Dual flowmasters. and only 3516134 more little things to do.

10-04-2003, 12:18 AM	#15
Adam12 I hate trannys Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Bakersfield,CA Posts: 160	well the front yard Idea didnt work too well, but today he told me he thought I had a bolt on yoke ( I have a slip yoke I guess they are smaller) so he gave me my hold tailshaft housing back and I switched them out today. So its fun time agian yay! Its really really hard not to have a heavy foot..... __________________ 70 SWB 481 ci, TH-400, Edlebrok Victor Jr. intake, Holley street avenger 770, Dynomax ceramic coated headers. Dual flowmasters. and only 3516134 more little things to do.



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10-04-2003, 08:24 AM	#16
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Happy times are here again! Thanks for the update, I was wondering if that is what happened. Jim

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