Transfer case on 02 Escalade?

SANDHEAD

MEMBER
2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE
V8
AWD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

New rear seal on transfer case still leaking on 02 escalade. Never leaked before, started after trip from phx to LA and back. Installed new seal, still leaking. Why and now what? And theres a small hole in it by design, does that go up or down?

Wednesday, December 8th, 2010 AT 3:09 PM

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HMAC300

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48,601 POSTS

The hole shold be at the top. And was the seal installed correctly and lubed before install? It can be that the bushing is wearing in the case or bearing depending on which it is. Also the shaft may be rough or worn down where it rode on the old seal.

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Wednesday, December 8th, 2010 AT 3:24 PM

SANDHEAD

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16 POSTS

I lubed it with the grease the manual said to use and it came with red grease on the inside where it would run on the shaft so I left that alone. I installed it with a large socket and made sure it was seated all the way around. Now, I did put that hole at the very bottom, is that why im still leaking? I would think if any fluid got to that out side area that it would still come out even with the hole up but what do you think?
THANK YOU!

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Wednesday, December 8th, 2010 AT 3:29 PM

SANDHEAD

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Your responce didnt come through.

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Wednesday, December 8th, 2010 AT 3:32 PM

HMAC300

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It might if the hole was at the bottom. And how bad is the leak? Is it residual or a definite leak. Pull the shaft out and check for a worn down spot on the shaft. You might get some 400 grit sandpaper and polish that area on the shaft.

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Wednesday, December 8th, 2010 AT 3:34 PM

SANDHEAD

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Ok. I really didnt inspect the shaft as well as, now looking back, I should have. I did lube the shaft though, but wasnt thinking about its smoothness for some dumb reason. The leak is not as bad as before but after driving about 5 miles and parking the fluid then dripped from the cross member right under the seal. If I pull the shaft and pollish it with 400 like you said, pull the seal and rotate it 180 deg, will the seal still be ok, that dam thing was $70.

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Wednesday, December 8th, 2010 AT 3:40 PM

HMAC300

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Do not pull the seal out that you just put in. I don't know where you got it but you can usually get that stuff at auto parts stores, you don't need to go to dealer. The oil that was dripping off the crossmember may have been there all along, especially if you didn't clean it all off the best you could. Just look at the shaft, and if it doesn't look ok then sand it with 400 do not use anything coarser. You can use 600 if you want, but it might take longer. If you can see the bushing inside the seal take a look at it for heavy grooves although you should have a machined groove for lube, maybe not, as they come either way.

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Wednesday, December 8th, 2010 AT 5:19 PM

SANDHEAD

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Thanks, had to go to work. I had degreased the underside of the truck very well and the drips are new. I can see the bottom of the seal is all wet and dripping. Remember I installed the seal with the hole down, are you sure I shouldn't pull and reinstall it hole up, or will that hurt it? The old seal came out easily with what appeared to have no damage.

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Wednesday, December 8th, 2010 AT 11:23 PM

SANDHEAD

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Hi, any chance your still avlb?

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Thursday, December 9th, 2010 AT 12:15 AM

SANDHEAD

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I have now sanded the tube. There were some pretty deep(in my opinion) in 1 area then some not so deep behind(closer to the u-joints)the deep ones. I've sanded so the less deep are gone but the deep are still 1/2 there. I'm worried about removing to much metal and shrinking the diameter of the shaft or is it tight enough in the seal that I would have to remove a lot of metal? And what do you think about the hole being down in the seal, should I pull it or try it and go from there?

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Thursday, December 9th, 2010 AT 12:22 AM

SANDHEAD

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I just checked the splined shaft coming out of the t-case. How much play/movement should there be in that shaft? I'm getting, when I push it all the way to 1 side then pull it back to the other I can move it about 1/8-3/16 of an inch. Please tell me i'm ok there or did I just uncover a much deeper job for my self?

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Thursday, December 9th, 2010 AT 12:36 AM

HMAC300

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Actually we do have a life other than answering questions lol. The play is ok. If you do take it out try to without damaging it. When you put it back in get some teflon sealer in a tube and put it around the outside diameter of the seal. Not that damn tape everyone thinks is great. It's available at any auto parts store and great for plumbing by the way or any threaded/coolant water type thing. By the way you couldn't remove enough metal to make a difference with 400 grit paper.

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Thursday, December 9th, 2010 AT 2:12 AM

SANDHEAD

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Hi. I put it all back together and im still leaking. I pulled and reinstalled the seal with the hole up and it looks now to be running down from that hole still. Thx!